Calgary Jewish Federation wants you! We have lots of exciting information to share about upcoming programs and events. If you are not already receiving our publications, It’s please send us your contact information and we will be sure to bring you up to date on happenings in Jewish Calgary. To sign The strength of a people. Sammy The power of community. up today, please contact Janene Puffer at 403-444-3157 or [email protected]. Spider’s Birthday! CALGARIANS DISCOVER JOYS OF THE NORTH… IN ISRAEL PJ Library® and Jewish Family Service Calgary invite all children to a very special birthday party, to celebrate the 20th birthday of Sammy, t’s not as if Cathy Cole and Karen Etzba Hagalil is the narrow strip of land in Karen, Cathy and Drew Staffenberg, CEO particularly “one young beautiful doctor Behar, the co-chairs of Calgary’s the far north, wedged between Lebanon and of Calgary Jewish Federation, represented who was just moving back to Israel our favourite multi-legged friend (and the star of such PJ books Partnership2Gether (P2G) program, Syria and has long been the target of Israel’s our city. For Cathy, it was a first opportunity from Texas.” as Sammy Spider’s First Day of School, Sammy Spider’s first Purim, Ihadn’t already compiled lofty resumes as enemies. The area was pounded by heavy to see some of Calgary’s education and On that particular evening, all of the Sammy Spider’s New Friend). Zionists and visitors to the State of Israel. missile attacks from the Islamic militant capacity building projects first hand. beds in the hospital’s intensive care ward Sunday May 4 Cathy had journeyed there upwards of group Hezbollah in 2006, during a 34-day “I felt that I was going to be part of were full, many with victims of the civil war 10:30am to Noon • Jewish Family Service Calgary 10 times, including trips with her husband conflict during which 165 Israelis were something very exciting,” said Cathy, in Syria. 420, 5920 1A Street SW Marty, son Bram and daughter Rachel, who “I wanted to scream that nobody focuses had her Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem on the on the good that Israel is doing and not just Unwrapped birthday gifts for the Leo Paperny Children’s Fund promenade that overlooks the Old City. for Jews, but also for Arabs and Druze,” would be greatly appreciated. Karen’s connections were perhaps even said Cathy. There is no charge for this program, but registration is requested by May 1 more far-reaching. She had twice lived on One of the strengths of the P2G program by contacting Kathie at 403-612-6604 or [email protected]. a kibbutz, did part of her masters degree at is its reciprocal nature. Through our Gesher the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She Chai programs, Israeli camp counselors also married an Israeli, Yakov Behar, in work at Camp BB Riback every summer and Haifa in 1975. students from The Calgary Jewish Academy Oren, the Behars’ eldest son, spent a and Har VaGai school enjoy mifgashim – or year studying at Hebrew U, while Ronen, a encounters – one in Canada, one in Israel. younger son, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at In November 2013, 10 Israelis were the Western Wall. billeted at the homes of CJA Grade 9 Despite this admirable commitment to students. While in Calgary, the Israelis had the Jewish homeland and its citizens, neither a chance to try their hands at curling, go on Cathy nor Karen could have dreamt of the Calgary Jewish Academy and Har Vagai Grade 9s at Lake Louise, December 2014 a trip to Banff, attend a hockey game and PLEASE JOIN US! satisfaction they would gain from their visit many of the Calgary’s important Jewish involvement in an international program landmarks, including all four synagogues. that connects 45 regions in Israel to a killed and as many as 500,000 wounded. adding. “It is a bit overwhelming when CJA Grade 9s are currently completing startling 550 communities in the Diaspora. Despite the unique beauty and history you first get there. One minute you are at a the two-way mifgash as they stay with the Through Partnership2Gether, six Coast of this region, the attacks – coupled with school, some project for high tech. Another same kids in northern Israel. to Coast Canadian Federations – Calgary, its distance from Israel’s centre and less minute at a place helping people with a The local leaders who are involved with Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg funding from the government – have led social service issue.” Partnership2Gether are well aware of the and Atlantic Canada are linked to Etzba many Israelis to relocate to other parts of Both Calgarians were impressed by the appreciation the Israelis feel for their efforts. A SUMMER OF A LIFETIME! Hagalil, the Galilee Panhandle, which the country, leaving Etzba Hagalil with quantity and diversity of programs that had “We feel needed and valued and stand includes two regional councils – the Upper high unemployment and an overall poor blossomed in Etzba Hagalil. together,” said Karen. But it’s not a one-way Galilee (Kibbutzim) and Mevo’ot Hermon economy. The total population of the region Karen visited Shechafim, a centre for street, she added, noting that many Israelis (Moshavim) and the towns of Kiryat is about 70,000. children battling severe physical and mental called their P2G counterparts in Calgary MAKE YOUR CHILD ONE HAPPY CAMPER Shmona, Metulla and Yesod HaMa’ala. The goal of Partnership2Gether is to challenges, including an inability to speak during last year’s floods. One Happy Camper provides grants of up to $1,000 to children attending Jewish “This project has validated the belief help alleviate some of the social challenges or write. Cathy said that one of the things that overnight camp for the first time.* Sunday June 8 that I have always had that Israel and the facing Etzba Hagalil, while at the same time “I remember seeing one of the impresses her most about the program is Visit OneHappyCamper.org to find your camp and apply. 11am - 2:00pm • Calgary JCC Diaspora are a partnership and, as in any working to form a ‘living bridge’ or Gesher teachers using the trees to create musical the scrutiny that projects go through before partnership, you are stronger together Chai between Canadians and Israelis. instruments,” said Karen, who also had they become P2G projects. For more information, contact Judy Shapiro at and weaker alone,” said Karen, who has Every year, the P2G leadership – vivid memories of children in wheelchairs “People here should feel proud and 403-444-3153 or [email protected] Bring your picnic, enjoy an afternoon YLDwith. Yfamilyou don’t and want friends to miss and thewelcome fun been part of the P2G program for three Canadians, Israeli volunteers and the using the centre’s hydrotherapy pool. satisfied that every dollar going to Israel summer with PJ Library® and Calgary *Some conditions apply years. “We feel needed and valued and we mayors – meet in Israel to visit our projects Cathy recalled her visit to Bar-Ilan is being spent in a responsible manner,” activities: Butterfield Acres Petting Zoo, orface information painting, mini contact golf, D obstacleiana Kalef at stand together.” and make funding decisions. In October, University Medical School in Safed and she said. courses, and of course, free popsicles! F 403-444-3154, or Kathie Wainer at 403-537-8592. Former Premier Redford Launches Women in Politics Manning Centre Hosts Jewish History Exhibit Bruchim Habaim… Only two weeks after her resignation as Premier of Alberta, MLA Alison Redford Calgary’s Manning Centre for Building Democracy was the venue for a return visit Welcoming Newcomers to Calgary spoke candidly about the challenges of being a woman holding political office. of Jews: A Canadian Story in Pictures, the photographic exhibit which tells the story of 250 years of Jewish life in Canada. The first in a “Women in Politics” series cosponsored by Calgary Jewish Federation, Calgary Jewish Community Council, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and The original exhibit was curated by The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) CJPAC (Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee), the April 10 event drew an and was augmented locally with additional panels designed by Calgary Jewish enthusiastic crowd of close to 90 women. Federation and the Jewish Historical Society of Southern Alberta. The largely supportive audience was interested in MLA Redford’s comments A reception on April 9 featured remarks from the Centre’s President and CEO about the importance of engaging in the political process, persistent sexism in Preston Manning. Judy Zelikowitz, VP of CIJA, also addressed the group. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY politics and media, and the challenges of work and family life. Calgary Jewish Federation Watch for information about upcoming Women in Politics events. Campaign and Accounting Assistant Dynamic individual sought to join the Calgary Jewish Federation team. Must have exceptional computer skills, good fundamental understanding Calgary Jewish Federation’s Shalom Calgary program is launching a new initiative to welcome of accounting and knowledge of accounting and fundraising software. The newcomers to our community and ease their transition into a new city. successful candidate will have strong customer relations skills and will be a Bruchim Habaim, as the program is called, is looking for volunteers who will invite newly- team player, task oriented and self-motivated. arrived individuals or families into their homes for a Sabbath or holiday meal. This new team member will be responsible for recording all revenue for the Bruchim Habaim is modeled after the core Jewish value of inviting guests into your home and Calgary Jewish Federation, maintaining the community database, issuing making them feel welcome and comfortable.