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IT’S ALWAYS TIME TO PLANT JNFOTTAWA.CA [email protected] 613.798.2411 Call 613-798-4696, ext. 256 Ottawa Jewish Bulletin APRIL 16, 2018 | IYYAR 1, 5778 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 Students show courage in face of anti-Israel votes What would you BDS, as described by the Federation’s advocacy partner, do if someone the Centre for Israel and Jew- ish Affairs (CIJA), “seeks to called you ‘a delegitimize and isolate Israel, f---ing Jew’? asks while promoting the false idea that Israel is solely responsible Pauline Colwin. for the Arab-Israeli conflict and, in turn, pushes for a boy- reat, just what I cott of the only liberal democ- want to see, a racy in the Middle East while f---ing Jew.” exempting the world’s worst PAULINE COLWIN These ugly, hate- human rights violators from Soloway Jewish Community Centre trainer Ryan Armitage, centre, has been featured in several news articles about ‘Gfilled words were said recently such attention. his work with special needs clients like John Woodhouse, left, and Peter Verbruggen, right. to Eyal Podolsky, a Jewish Uni- “BDS is an assault on all versity of Ottawa student, as he Israelis – including Israelis who walked on campus. Podolsky are staunch peace activists.” Meet the trainer who helps people is a well-known youth leader. By targeting all Israelis, and In 2017, he won the prestigious the only Jewish state, BDS is a Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s form of discrimination. Many achieve ‘miracles after miracles’ Student Award for “demon- BDS activists even openly Ryan Armitage finds his clients ‘all have the fire’ strating leadership and out- declare that their goal is the standing commitment to the destruction of the state of t’s been eight years since drome several years earlier. He a bit. Ottawa Jewish community.” Israel. As for BDS on Canadian Tim Fauquier rolled his weighed just 80 pounds and It’s an understatement to say He is now president of Hil- campuses, this is an attempt to wheelchair up to trainer was weak and emaciated. He that encounter changed Fau- lel Ottawa, a culture club that import the Middle East conflict Ryan Armitage in a hallway had been told he’d never walk quier’s life. Eight years later, he supports and celebrates Jewish into Canada by illegitimately Ioutside the Soloway Jewish again. still works out with Armitage life for university students. He targeting businesses, univer- Community Centre’s gym, Armitage, just 25 at the time, three times a week. At 73, he shared his story of the racist sities and civil society institu- tapped him lightly on his side, wasn’t sure what to do. Until can walk again and he drives slur last month at the Student tions. All these elements show and asked if he could help him then, he had worked only with his own car. Federation of the University that BDS is at odds with Cana- develop some grip strength. healthy gym-goers. But he bent But that encounter changed of Ottawa’s (SFUO) General dian values and falls outside Armitage was taken by sur- over, gently lifted Fauquier out Armitage’s life and the scope of Assembly, prior to a vote on a the genuine peace movement prise. He looked down at the of his wheelchair and put him work done at the SJCC as well. motion to advance the anti-Is- that emphasizes fairness and diminutive Fauquier, then 65. on a rowing machine in the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin caught rael Boycott Divestment and mutual responsibilities. His fragile body was curled up centre’s weight room, where he up with him in a rare moment Sanctions (BDS) movement on It was in this climate, in in a wheelchair. He had been was just able to hold onto the between classes and clients. campus. See BDS on page 2 struck by Guillain-Barre syn- handles of the rower and pull See Armitage on page 3 inside: Meet Jordan Waldman > p. 5 Ship of Fate opening > p. 8 Remembering Carol Greenberg > p. 9 Efficient, elegant, exceptional. The Audi A6 Sedan. Audi Mark Motors of Ottawa Audi Ottawa 295 W Hunt Club Rd. »NEW 458 Montreal Rd. 613-723-1221 613-749-5941 SPARKADVOCACY.CA APPROVED FILENAME SPARK-MM-AUDI-A6-JEWISH-10.25X1.5-2018-03-EN5 MODIFIED MARCH 26, 2018 4:55 PM DATE 2018 CLIENT CLIENT VENDOR + JEWISH STANDARD PROPERTY ACCOUNT REP. KEVIN DEAGLE ART DIRECTOR ADRIAN JEAN CGD PUBLICATION TRIM SIZE 10.25”W X 1.5”H APPROVALS PRODUCTION MORGAN DUNBAR INSERTION TYPE --- COMMENTS SPECS INSERTION DATE --- April 16, 2018 2 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM CIJA Andrea Freedman writes that the BDS: ‘Too much time and energy’ chair of a meeting is supposed to be impartial and facilitate Continued from page 1 dialogue and discussion. As an front of room packed for the GA, that On the surface, it seemed example of the hostility that Podolsky stood alone at the mic trying to against all odds that a BDS Jewish students and their allies express how BDS breeds a negative atmo- face on UOttawa’s campus, the sphere on campus for Jewish students. motion would not get passed, chair of the March 25 meetings As he spoke, another student rose considering the SFUO executives’ announced the results of the and rushed forward. Ignoring the vote by saying unfortunately, the rules of the GA process, and deaf to very clear and openly stated resolution did not pass. Podolsky’s personal experience, the BDS agenda. student dismissed the evidence of anti-Semitism and repeated the SFUO the Federation, CIJA and other partners stance that “BDS is not anti-Jewish.” like the Chabad Student Network. U of O student leaders For Podolsky, this was nothing new. In a message to the community after In fact, this was what he was trying to the last vote, Andrea Freedman, Fed- hold democracy hostage explain: how BDS can create an atmo- eration’s CEO, applauded the students, sphere where some Jews are made to describing how they “demonstrated But I sincerely wish it were not nec- feel unwelcome, where they have to tremendous fortitude.” She added, “Our essary. And it saddens and angers me fight to keep their clubs, and where students are fighting a difficult bat- GUEST COLUMN to hear stories about the anti-Semitism open, peaceful dialogue is shut down. tle, and they are doing so on behalf of ANDREA FREEDMAN Jewish students experience on campus But Podolsky would not be silenced. He everyone who values dialogue, debate today. is a young man brimming with moral and diversity.” Students are supposed to stress about courage. He stood his ground. As Freedman implies, this battle will exams and term papers, because they “Well, of course I knew the other stu- be ongoing. The SFUO has said it will n a recent Ottawa Jewish Bulletin lack the real world experience to know dent was there, but I shut him out. I just again bring a BDS vote to the table — column, Rabbi Steven Garten quoted that campus days will end up being the kept focused.” even before the end of the school year. Winston Churchill, “Democracy is golden era of their free time. Students The BDS vote was rejected at the GA, “I’m tired,” admits Podolsky, who the worst form of government are supposed to be idealistic, and they failing to get the required two-thirds was interviewed in the short half-hour Iexcept all those other forms that have are supposed to anoint themselves majority. Just two weeks later, the SFUO between finishing a paper and his next been tried from time to time.” Having subject matter experts, having taking brought BDS back to the table for yet class. recently learned more about politics on a an introductory course on a particular another vote. It was defeated again. Dovi Chein, executive director of Hil- university campus than I care to, I am topic. They are supposed to drink too This was the third attempt in the past lel Ottawa agrees. “Our students have inclined to agree. much and make mistakes that they invested too much time and energy into Watching the live feed from a student laugh about later in life, but that have this.” He says the campaign is exhaust- government meeting at the University no long-term negative impacts. ‘Our goal is to ensure Jewish ing. It takes students from their studies of Ottawa, where 10 minutes was spent They are not supposed to be feel students feel safe, supported, and social life and forces them into debating whether or not to expand the unsafe on the campus they call home, and have a place to be emotionally drawn-out situations where discussion by five minutes and then and they should not repeatedly have to their feelings and sense of Jewish identi- voting not to do so, did not feel like the fight against a rigged system to defend themselves,’ says Dovi Chein. ty face criticism and possible dismissal. best use of anyone’s time. Far more seri- their rights. However, despite this intense ous is the fact that a small group of stu- I am heartened that the students are six months to get BDS implemented atmosphere, Chein says Hillel Ottawa dent leaders are able to hold repeated supported in their efforts by the Jewish at U of O. Earlier in the fall, the SFUO has experienced an incredible year votes on the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest- Federation of Ottawa and three critical- also tried to de-ratify Hillel Ottawa of growth with tremendous student ment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, ly important organizations Federation and the Israel Awareness Committee, a involvement.