UJA Campaign Max Mintz Results remembers Details inside P10 Tales from the Chicken Roost P15 Hamilton Jewish News SUMMER 2011 VOL 25:5/ SIVAN, TAMUZ, AV 5711 THE JEWISH VOICE OF HAMILTON AGREEMENT #40007180 Who we are Passing the torch Our featured theme in this, the final issue of the 2010/11 season of the Hamilton Jewish News, is UJA Federation. Within these pages you will see examples of leadership of the work that we do, whether it’s caring for those in need, deepening Jewish engagement, advocating DR. LARRY LEVIN HANDS OVER FEDERatION LEADERshIP on behalf of Israel, setting communal priorities and to INCOMING PRESIDENT LARRY SZPIRGLAS providing critical financial support for a myriad of beneficiary agencies. You will read about our invaluable and dedicated volunteers without whose tireless efforts our community would surely not be the thriving centre of Jewish life that it is today. Read and be proud to be a part of what we as a community have accomplished. UJA Campaign co-chairs stepping down Larry Szpirglas (left) presents outgoing president Dr. Larry Levin with official tribute and acknowledgement of his leadership. Photo by Wendy Schneider e stepped up into this community’s top leadership position with a vision of sowing harmony among its disparate factions and he worked tirelessly towards that goal. After two years as president of UJA Federation, Dr. Larry Levin passed the torch of leadership at the Lisa Morris (left) and Danna Horwood at the UJA Campaign Closing event at the JCC. organization’s Annual General Meeting on May 25 to Larry Szpirglas. Photo by Karma Photography HThe JCC was packed to overflowing at Larry Szpirglas at its helm. UJA Federation expresses its appreci- to work with and we are very grateful for the meeting as incoming board members Mostly, there was good news about ation to Lisa Morris and Danna Horwood, everything they have accomplished.” mingled with Shem Tov honourees and their the state of community affairs, although who are stepping down as co-chairs of Morris will continue on as chair of the families. Highlights of the evening were both Levin and Federation treasurer, Jacki the UJA Campaign after a three-year and “Thank You Telethon” which she initi- related to volunteer recognition: Shirley Levin, warned that the sustainability of the two-year term respectively. ated during the 2011 campaign. Both “The 2010 campaign was affected by Horwood and Morris will continue to put Molot’s acknowledgement of CeCe Schreiber community’s extensive and impressive infra- the severe down-turn in the economic the final touches on a school campaign as a mentor and source of inspiration while structure in the long-term will be dependent climate,” said outgoing Federation initiative that combines leadership, receiving an award in her name; Vivienne on creating a large endowment fund – and president, Dr. Larry Levin. “However, education and Tikkum Olam for the 2012 Epstein’s receiving the first President’s Award that building up the Jewish community’s rela- both Lisa and Danna through their hard UJA Campaign. by Levin for being his “right hand” through- tively small one has to be a priority for future work and dedication motivated both the We look forward to their continued out his presidency; the calling up of 16 Shem boards. Campaign Cabinet and the community involved with the campaign. See page Tov recipients from across the community for Levin’s closing remarks appear on page to surpass the million dollar level once 7 for a personal message from Morris outstanding volunteerism; and the installa- 2 of this issue and Szpirglas’s vision for his again. They have been a real pleasure and Horwood. tion of a new board with incoming president tenure can be read on page 8. Cycling for Shechafim From Hamilton to Halifax P12 UJA Federation Table of Contents insurance broker inc. HAmiLTON JEWish NEWS 2011/12 PUBLicATION SchEDULE REFLECTIONS Phil Leon Est. 1965 FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND PUBLICATION SCHEDULE VISIT WWW.HAMILTONJEWISHNEWS.COM DR. LaRRY LEVIN, Rosh Hashana Issue IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, HJN SUMMER 2011 IN THIS ISSUE: Deadline for Booking Ad Space Aug. 12, 2011 UJA FEDERATION OF HAMILTON Deadline for submitting editorial copy Aug. 19, 2011 Passover Issue FCIP Deadline for receiving ad copy Aug. 29,2011 Deadline for booking ad space Feb. 23, 2012 David A. Leon, As I come to the end of my term as uja FEDERATION Estimated Date of Arrival Sept. 13, 2011 Deadline for submitting editorial copy Mar. 2, 2012 Vice President Deadline for receiving ad copy Mar. 12, 2012 president, I can’t help but reflect on what THE toRCH IS PASSED an amazing experience this has been. The 8 Mid-Fall Issue Estimated Date of Arrival Mar. 21, 2012 Change of leadership at UJA Federation Deadline for booking ad space Oct. 7, 2011 past two years have been full of important Deadline for submitting editorial copy Oct. 14, 2011 decisions and events that reflect the joys 21 Hunter Street East, Bus: 905.525.0001 Deadline for receiving ad copy Oct. 24, 2011 and complexities of Jewish life in Hamilton. Suite #103 1.800.734.6362 Estimated Date of Arrival Nov. 3, 2011 Spring/Summer Issue uja FEDERATION I look back on the past two years with P.O. Box 1053 Fax: 905.525.1690 Deadline for Booking Ad Space May 4, 2012 Chanukah Issue Deadline for submitting editorial copy May 18, 2012 great satisfaction that we have made meas- 12 cyclING foR SHECHAFIM Hamilton, ON L8N 3R4 [email protected] Deadline for booking ad space Nov. 10, 2011 Deadline for receiving ad copy May 23, 2012 urable progress on many fronts. I would Cyclists raise funds for Israeli school Deadline for submitting editorial copy Nov. 18, 2011 Estimated Date of Arrival Jun. 7, 2012 like to highlight a few. Discount rates available for B’nai Brith members. Deadline for receiving ad copy Nov. 24, 2011 • Despite the economic downturn our Federation stayed true to its Plan underwritten by Novex Group Insurance Estimated Date of Arrival Dec. 9, 2011 uja FEDERATION first overarching priority. Recognizing that requests for assistance go up at the very same time that campaigns come down, we sustained 13 PJ LIBRARY COMES to towN and even increased our support to our local agencies that assist the Good news for parents of young children vulnerable. • With direct Federation involvement, we were able to help establish SPECIAL MENTSCHEN the Hamilton Jewish Middle School. It may not be perfect yet, but we have initiated and sustained a conversation between multiple 16 FINDING COMMON GROUND PAGE 9 stakeholders in Jewish Education that might not have ever taken Holocaust related play strikes resonant chord place without our involvement. • Over the past two years, Federation has been able to re-establish its Public Affairs Committee. Deliberately reflecting a widely diverse range of viewpoints, our committee has been able to achieve DEpaRTMENTS consensus on many difficult issues. Working effectively within the national strategy of ‘shared values’ our community’s relationship Jewish Education 4,5 to media, elected officials of all parties and at all levels, others who influence public opinion, as well as many other cultural and faith JCC 6 “I’m so fortunate that my vet highly recommended groups has never been better. Community Events 7 McCann Professional Dog Trainers!” • I am particularly pleased to report that our disciplined approach to advocacy has strengthened Hamilton’s relevance to our national UJA Federation 8-13 partner agencies, as evidenced by CIJA (Canadian Council for Israel Shalom Village 14 and Jewish Advocacy) reaching out for our involvement in their recent re-organization and CIC (Canada Israel Committee) reach- Special Mentschen 15-16 ing out to include Hamilton voices in developing their strategic approach to dealing with the Israel boycott movement. We have Books 17 never had stronger relationships with our national partners than Shuls & Organizations 18,19 we do right now. Serving Southern Ontario • Our community development initiatives are important. Estab- lishment of the Hamilton Jewish Leadership Forum, our Jewish Call 1-888-681-7877 or register online Community Professionals Group, YAD (the Young Adult Division) Standing with Federation www.McCannDogs.com and the Genesis Leadership Development Program, have all contrib- Photo by Wendy Schneider Now offering Doggie Day Care with a difference! uted to strengthening our community in multiple areas. At UJA Federation’s recent AGM, the three community rabbis were on hand to congratulate both outgoing president Dr. Larry Levin and incoming president Larry Szpirglas. Pictured • The growth of our human rights and Holocaust education programs above are (from l to r) Rabbi Jordan Cohen, Rabbi Dan Selsberg, Dr. Larry Levin, Larry Szpirglas More than 50,000 family pets and their owners has been remarkable. Our Asper Program gave 86 students, from all and Rabbi Daniel Green. A selection from Rabbi Cohen’s instroductory remarks appear below. COMING UP trained! New sessions start every month. walks of life, along with 21 chaperones, training and a life changing “The work of the UJA... can largely focus on numbers. How many people do we have in our ROSH HASHANA ISSUE community, how many have made a commitment to the campaign? How much money have experience of a trip to the United States Memorial Holocaust Museum we raised this year, and how much more can we target for the next? How much will we be • Deadline for booking ad space in Washington. The Hana’s Suitcase Project allowed thousands of able to allocate to each of the worthy organizations in our community that seek our support Aug. 12, 2011 students in the greater Hamilton area to read the book, see the and how much can we send to Israel? This is important work – it is holy work – but it is hard • Deadline for receiving editorial copy movie, and be inspired by the concept of personal responsibility work.