JNF OTTAWA NEGEV DINNER HONOURING LAWRENCE GREENSPON BREAKING NEWS SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS NOV. 6 · INFINITY CENTRE DAILY AT JNFOTTAWA.CA FOR DETAILS [email protected] 613.798.2411 www.ottawajewishbulletin.com Ottawa Jewish Bulletin OCTOBER 30, 2017 | CHESHVAN 10, 5778 ESTABLISHED 1937 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM | $2 PMO PMO Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on as Heritage Minister Melanie Joly lights one of the six Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (centre) in quiet contemplation at the eternal flame during a visit memorial candles at the inauguration of the National Holocaust Monument, September 27, at to the National Holocaust Monument, September 27. the Canadian War Museum. Trudeau inaugurates National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa BY BENITA BAKER through Ottawa causing the ceremony turn away Jewish refugees aboard the without a national Holocaust monument, eclaring the long overdue to be moved indoors to the Canadian MS St. Louis. she began lobbying politicians to pass monument to be a place where War Museum across the street. “May this monument remind us to a private members bill to create one. the story of the Holocaust and The mood was sombre, yet also always open our arms and our hearts The bill became law in March 2011 and its survivors is brought to life, inspiring, at the invitation-only event. to those in need and may it continue to the process of finding a site, selecting a DPrime Minister Justin Trudeau inaugur- Surrounded by tanks and fighter planes, reflect the true resilience of the human design and raising funds began. ated the National Holocaust Monument the horrors of the Holocaust were spirit as we pledge today to stay hopeful The monument, located across from in Ottawa on September 27. brought to life by the stories of survivors and to never, ever forget,” he said. the Canadian War Museum at the cor- “We now have a place here in the Eva Kuper and Georgette Brinberg, and Heritage Minister Melanie Joly ner of the Sir John A. Macdonald Park- nation’s capital where families can the robust voice of Holocaust survivor described the monument as “not just way and Booth Street, features large come together to learn, to ask tough Philip Goldig, singing a cappella the a symbol of the past but a reminder of soaring concrete walls that rise up to questions, to grieve and to remember,” haunting Yiddish/English song “Ghetto.” our collective responsibility.” form a Star of David. said the prime minister, who began “We must confront the ugly truth that Reminding the crowd that, “it is Entitled Landscape of Loss, Memory his address by wishing the gathering a anti-Semitism is not just a thing of the incumbent on each and every one of us and Survival, the monument is intended “Shana Tova.” past in Canada,” said the prime minister. to never forget that our diversity is our to not only commemorate victims and Ironically, a streak of record-setting “We need to stand up every day against strength,” Joly concluded her remarks honour Canadian survivors but also to hot and sunny weather was brought to the cruelty, hatred and the indifference saying, “L’chaim, à la vie, to life.” convey a sense of hope. an abrupt end less than an hour before that made the Holocaust possible.” In 2007, when then-University of It includes a large gathering space for the scheduled 4 pm start of the ceremo- As he has in the past, Trudeau noted Ottawa student Laura Grossman learned ceremonies, as well as plaques that tell the ny when a brief but vicious storm tore Canada’s lamentable decision in 1939 to that Canada was the only Allied nation See Monument on page 2 Debbie Halton-Weiss on Hillel Lodge resident survived the Stephanie Sheffrin on what has changed inside: Holocaust Education Month > p. 6 Holocaust and fought for Israel > p.9 since starting her column > p. 23 Luxury knows no bounds. The Audi A8. October 30, 2017 2 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM Monument Continued from page 2 “The mission of the monument is to story of the Holocaust. Embedded in the … be an everlasting reminder that evil concrete walls are towering monochro- exists in the world and that we as Cana- matic photographs of Holocaust scenes – dians are committed to protecting every barbed wire, train tracks, a synagogue. An human being from the monsters that eternal flame sits high up in the wall of a walk amongst us,” he said. small area intended for quiet reflection. Hosted by Eliot Lifson, a member The Stairs of Hope lead up to a terrace of the National Holocaust Monument with views of Parliament Hill and beyond. Development Council, the afternoon’s Rabbi Daniel Friedman, chair of the events began with Algonquin elder National Holocaust Monument Develop- Claudette Commanda giving an Indig- ment Council, which raised $4.5 for the enous blessing, and concluded with monument project, described the day as a moving rendition of “Kel Maleh bittersweet. Rachamim” and “Kaddish” sung by sur- “We are proud of the most incredi- vivor Philip Goldig. ble Holocaust monument in the world The brief storm that forced the event but devastated at the memory that has indoors, and knocked down many trees brought us to this point,” Rabbi Fried- and power lines in the city, was over man said. by the time the inauguration ceremony BENITA BAKER Friedman applauded Canadians for ended, allowing guests to walk through A series of panels at the National Holocaust Monument offer commentary on the Holocaust being at the forefront of rooting out evil. the monument. and Canada’s response to it. BENITA BAKER This plaque from the inauguration of the National Holocaust Monument has been removed and will be replaced. BENITA BAKER The entrance to the National Holocaust Monument. Holocaust memorial plaque that omitted Jews to be replaced (JTA) – The plaque marking the opening of the National Holocaust Monument will be replaced after the original failed to mention that Jews were the majori- ty of the victims. Heritage Minister Melanie Joly told the House of Commons on October 5 that the plaque will be replaced, and also reiterated that the monument com- memorates the six million Jews and five million others killed by the Nazis and their supporters during the Holocaust. “On the day the monument was unveiled, we noticed that the panel at the entrance conspicuously and curiously did not mention Jews,” Martin Samp- son, director of communications for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in a statement. “We raised our concerns with the government. They were very responsive, acknowledged the error and agreed to correct it immediately.” For more, see From the Editor by Michael Regenstreif on page 7. BENITA BAKER A synagogue scene embedded in the National Holocaust Monument. Danielle Lithwick Allan Taylor Your Neighborhood In-Home Personal Trainer ■ GROUP PLANS ■ LIFE INSURANCE Provide in-home personal training services at your convenience ■ DISABILITY INSURANCE Accessible, fun and effective workouts for all ages and fitness levels ■ PENSION and RRIFs From busy working professionals to stay-at-home moms to seniors, Commercial Sales & Leasing F Consulting F Site Selection/Relocations F Tenant Representation F Feasibility Studies 613-244-9073 anyone can benefit from the convenience of exercising at home! [email protected] Investment/User Properties F Strategic Growth Planning F Land Assemblies/Development Sites For a FREE 1-hour consult, please call 613-286-7108 BRENT TAYLOR BROKER of RECORD, PRESIDENT or email daniellel@fitnessonthego.ca [email protected] www.brentcomrealty.com 613-726-7323 / FAX 613-721-8849 www.fitnessonthego.ca www.taylorfinancial.ca October 30, 2017 OTTAWAJEWISHBULLETIN.COM 3 What Palestinian reconciliation means for Israel BY ANDREW TOBIN the deal. Dana El Kurd, a researcher at JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israeli Prime Min- the Arab Center for Research and Pol- ister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken a icy Studies, wrote Monday in Foreign wait-and-see approach to this month’s Affairs that the international backers Palestinian reconciliation deal. of reconciliation seek to “neutralize Netanyahu spoke out publicly and Hamas’ power by weakening its popular loudly against the move toward unity support.” between the feuding Palestinian factions While El Kurd went on to argue that Fatah, which controls the Palestinian this would lead to more popular discon- Authority, and Hamas, calling it a threat tent and violence, Israel would likely to Israel and a setback to peace. But he welcome this development. quietly indicated Israel could accept rec- Even if Israel would prefer to see Pal- onciliation if Hamas reformed. estinian reconciliation fail on its merits, “Israel insists that the PA [Pales- the government has diplomatic reasons tinian Authority] not allow any base to accommodate the process. Among the whatsoever for Hamas terrorist actions countries celebrating the deal are two from PA areas in Judea and Samaria of Israel’s most important strategic part- [the West Bank] or from Gaza, if the ners, Egypt and the United States. PA indeed takes responsibility for its Under Egyptian President Abel Fat- territory,” his office said in a statement tah-el Sisi, Jerusalem and Cairo have after the deal was inked. “Israel will cooperated closely in recent years on monitor developments on the ground shared regional security concerns, and act accordingly.” including Hamas. At the UN General Netanyahu reacted very differently to Assembly last month in New York, Sisi the failed 2014 reconciliation attempt by coupled his first-ever meeting with Net- (KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) Fatah, which governs the West Bank as Hamas and Fatah leaders shake hands following the signing of a reconciliation deal at the anyahu with a call for Palestinian unity the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas, Egyptian intelligence services headquarters in Cairo, Oct.