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bulletin volume 75, no. 12
april 11, 2011
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Ada Wynston to give keynote address at Yom HaShoah Commemoration
Gideon Herscher, director of Haiti relief and reconstruction efforts for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, speaks to Yitzhak Rabin High School students about JDC efforts in Haiti since the (Photo: Michael Regenstreif) devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.
Gideon Herscher reports on JDC efforts in Haiti during visit to Ottawa By Michael Regenstreif “I was in Haiti last week, and the destruction has still not been cleared,” said Gideon Herscher. More than 14 months after the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010, “only seven per cent of the rubble has been cleared.” Before the earthquake struck, Haiti was already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The earthquake left more than one mil-
lion people homeless there. On March 24, Herscher, the director of Haiti relief and reconstruction efforts for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), spoke to the students of Yitzhak Rabin High School, about the JDC and its efforts to provide humanitarian relief in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake. The JDC acts on behalf of the Jewish Federations of North America in providing humanitarian re-
lief around the world. Initially, the focus of the JDC’s relief efforts in Haiti, Herscher explained, was on providing water, medicine, food and shelter. Early on, the JDC became involved in water distribution and now supplies more than 500,000 gallons per day to 110,000 people. JDC, Herscher said, has also been instrumental in setting up schools for 3,000 children in Haiti. (Continued on page 2)
By Benita Baker Ada Wynston does not like the dark. There are no heavy drapes in her home, only see-through curtains. Considering that the 74-yearold Holocaust survivor spent many months hiding in a cellar during the Second World War, her desire for brightness is understandable. So, too, are the resulting nightmares, and the fear of thunder, which reminds her of exploding bombs. What is unfathomable is that she was only six years old at the time, cruelly separated from her parents and two younger siblings, and living an assumed life. Born in Amsterdam, Ada and 231 other Jewish children were rescued by the Dutch underground and hidden for three years by Dutch Reformed Christian families. Ada would not be alive today if not for her ‘war family,’ who risked their lives to give her refuge. The story of these courageous Dutch Christians – including Ada’s firsthand account – has been told in two books, Hidden Heroes by André Stein and Canada and the Liberation of the Netherlands, May
Ada Wynston, a child survivor of the Holocaust, has worked to honour the Righteous Among the Nations who saved Jewish lives.
1945 by Lance Goddard, as well as in a film version of Hidden Heroes. Ada will describe her Holocaust experiences when she gives the keynote address at Ottawa’s Yom HaShoah commemoration on May 1. Ada’s ordeal began one after(Continued on page 2)
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Page 2 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Wynston was knighted by Queen Beatrix for her work in Christian-Jewish dialogue (Continued from page 1)
noon when she was riding on the streetcar with her mother. The SS boarded the car and removed all Jews wearing the yellow Star of David, including her mother. Ada’s star was not visible under her sweater and she managed to escape. Not for long. Her family was soon rounded up in a raid. Adults were separated from the children and taken to a movie theatre for eventual transport to the Westerbork concentration camp. (Westerbork was a Nazi detention and transit camp for Dutch Jews and Roma who would be sent on to the death camps.) The children were taken to a Jewish daycare, also with the intention of sending them to death camps. It was 1942 and the Dutch Resistance was just beginning. Motivated by their religious beliefs, members of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church smuggled the children out of the daycare in groups. Some, like Ada’s infant brother, found homes immediately. The rest were placed in temporary homes until permanent ones could be found. They may have been children, but they recognized the seriousness of the situation. “Please don’t send me away,” Ada recalls her four-year-old sister
saying to a prospective war family. “I can sing a song in French and water your plants.” When six-year-old Ada was taken to her war family’s home, her rescuer told her that she would be living with a Christian family and that she must act like them. She could no longer be Jewish. “You had to try to put this in your head when you are not seven years old, so you became a liar at the age of six or seven,” Ada says in Canada and the Liberation of the Netherlands, May 1945. “You learn to lie to save yourself, or to save your rescuers.” Ada had two war families; each had five children. The first one was betrayed, so she was moved to another. She still keeps in touch with her war brothers and sisters. She calls her war parents heroes and worked for five years to ensure they received Yad Vashem medals. Unfortunately, they died before the medals could be presented to them. But Ada attended the ceremony in a Dutch synagogue when the medals were given to their children. Ada was nine years old on Liberation Day and was ultimately reunited with her father, sister and brother. Her mother and 72 relatives were among the 102,000 Dutch Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
When Ada was a teenager, she happened to meet a Canadian couple visiting the Netherlands. They put her in touch with two Dutch women in Toronto who were Holocaust survivors. It turned out the women knew Ada’s mother in the concentration camp. In 1957, when she was 21, the women helped Ada immigrate to Canada. Although they had never met in person, they recognized her immediately in a crowded train station. She looked just like her mother.
For her tireless work in the field of Christian-Jewish dialogue, including chairing the Holocaust Remembrance Committee of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto for more than a decade, Ada was knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Her motivation has always been to honour the Righteous Among the Nations who risked their lives to help the Jews. “There was goodness along with evil in the war,” says Ada. “People
have to also know about the goodness. It’s important not to generalize – not all Germans were Nazis, and not all Nazis were Germans.” Ottawa’s Yom HaShoah Commemoration, a program of the Shoah (Holocaust) Committee of Ottawa, takes place Sunday, May 1, 7:00 pm, at the Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private. For more information, contact Sarah Beutel at sbeutel@jewishottawa.com or 613798-4696, ext. 253.
Jewish response to Haitian disaster has led to some important healing (Continued from page 1)
He also talked about some of the seemingly miraculous work that JDC has done with some of the amputees who lost limbs due to the earthquake. The JDC has tapped into the incredible medical and technological advances in helping amputees that have been developed in Israel. Perhaps the most poignant story Herscher told was about a man named George who had been a champion salsa dancer, dance teacher and choreographer in Haiti prior to the earthquake. Trapped under the rubble, George lost a leg.
With the help of JDC, George received a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg and rehabilitation at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv and has now resumed his dance career in Haiti. Herscher showed a remarkable video of George dancing on his new leg. So far, the JDC has helped about 150 Haitian amputees like George. “There are 800 more waiting in line for assistance,” said Herscher. A current priority of the JDC in Haiti is on training builders, working on the proper techniques needed to rebuild structures to make
Historic significance of Canadian Jewish Congress recognized
Environment Minister Peter Kent (left), with Canadian Jewish Congress President Mark Freiman, unveils a plaque, March 14 in Montreal, commemorating the national historic significance of the founding of the Canadian Jewish Congress in March 1919. (Photo: Parks Canada)
MP Irwin Cotler, former justice minister and former president of Canadian Jewish Congress, speaks at the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the founding of the Canadian Jewish Congress. (Photo: Parks Canada)
them safe and able to withstand damage from future earthquakes. “The Jewish response to this disaster has allowed some important healing to begin,” Herscher said. The Yitzhak Rabin students were also provided with some background information on JDC history and its operations around the world by Abe Wasserberger, a JDC senior resource development officer. Wasserberger explained that, for nearly a century, the JDC has taken care of the world’s neediest Jews. The JDC currently provides services in more than 70 countries and has been at the forefront of such operations as administrating Displaced Persons camps for survivors in the aftermath of the Holocaust, to bringing Jews out of such hostile countries as Iran, Syria and the U.S.S.R. Thousands of Ethiopian Jews were rescued during Operation Solomon and brought to live in Israel. Wasserberger also pointed out that Haiti has enjoyed a special relationship with the Jewish people. In 1938, Haiti granted refuge to 400 German Jews fleeing Nazi Germany and what would become the Holocaust, and, in 1947, Haiti changed its vote at the United Nations on the partition of Palestine, thus helping to pave the way for the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. In addition to speaking to students at Yitzhak Rabin High School during their two-day visit to Ottawa, Herscher and Wasserberger spoke to an invited group of community leaders at the home of Barbara Crook and Dan Greenberg.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 3
Page 4 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Ottawa now boasts two Jewish firefighters By Benita Baker Lorne Shusterman is a pioneer in the history of Jewish Ottawa. In 1979, at the age of 23, he became a firefighter – the first Jewish firefighter in Ottawa. And, for the next 31 years, he was the only Jewish firefighter in the city. Now, he is no longer alone. David Pivnick, 28, became Ottawa’s second Jewish firefighter six months ago. Firefighter is not a typical profession for young Jews (at least, outside Israel). Yet, for both men, it was an obvious choice. “It was the only career I ever considered,” said Shusterman. “The day I graduated was one of the biggest days of my life.” Pivnick enrolled in Car-
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leton University, but realized early on that it was not the place for him. He briefly considered joining the military before opting to become a firefighter. “Being a firefighter was always in the back of my mind,” Pivnick said. “I am a hands-on guy. I like to be challenged both physically and mentally.” He consulted his father, retired high school teacher and current Camp B’nai Brith director Jonathan Pivnick, as well as his grandfather, Dr. Hilliard Pivnick. They both supported his decision. So did his mother, Heidi. However, his older sister, Lindsay, was worried. The nature of firefighting may have changed over the years, particularly with the wide-ranging use of smoke detectors, but the elite reputation of the fire department has not changed at all as only the cream of the crop become firefighters. More than 1,000 apply annually for the coveted 20-25 training spots. It took Shusterman, now a
Ottawa firefighter Lorne Shusterman volunteering with the Israel Fire and Rescue Service in Jerusalem in 2004.
captain with Ottawa Fire Services, a year-and-a-half to be accepted by the department. And it was more than two years after he applied that Pivnick was recruited. But he
had been working toward qualifying since 2003, taking specialized courses at Algonquin and Seneca Colleges. So, after all the hard work, training and anticipation, what was Pivnick’s first call like? “The training kicked in,” he said. “The alarm goes off and you’re thinking only about the call. There is no time for emotion or feelings.” Born and raised in Ottawa, Pivnick’s goal is to stay here and ultimately earn an officer’s position. During his short time on the job, he has
continued to learn and train. “Every day is a new and different challenge,” he said. “Every day, I learn something new.” When Shusterman joined the force, he was keenly aware that he had to prove his mettle, not only as a rookie firefighter, but also as a Jew. Some of his co-workers had never met a Jew. There were occasional anti-Semitic remarks. “I knew they were judging Jews by my actions, so it made me more aggressive,” said Shusterman. “I wanted to fit in, be a part of the crew and make it so they say ‘let’s hire more.’ But it’s a brotherhood. I earned their respect and I was accepted.” Shusterman is quick to point out that Pivnick’s experience should be very different. “It’s a multicultural force now, and there are also women firefighters,” he said. “We’ve had sensitivity training.” Pivnick agrees. “I don’t feel different from anyone else and have not been made to feel different,” he said. “People are naturally curious. When it comes to light that I am Jewish, they ask me questions.” Curiously, the men have not yet met, but they have heard about each other from co-workers.
“You are not the only Jewish guy on the job anymore,” Shusterman has been told. “Did you know there’s another Jewish guy on the force?” Pivnick has been asked. It may not be for reasons of anti-Semitism, but Shusterman believes Pivnick will stand out. “He is not one of many,” said Shusterman. “He is only one of two.” When Shusterman looks back on his action-packed and dangerous career, his memories are all good: the friendships, the camaraderie, the rescues, the good fires where everyone emerges unhurt. In 2004, Shusterman volunteered with the Israel Fire and Rescue Service in Jerusalem. For three weeks, he was no longer the odd man out. Yet, even though he worked alongside guys wearing kippot and had Shabbat dinner at the station, the brotherhood of firefighters prevailed. “We are the same everywhere,” said Shusterman. “It’s the same job, the same fooling around, the same fears.” What advice does the seasoned veteran have for the rookie? “There is a reason you have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk.”
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 5
Guest column
openOttawa symposium: Engaging Ottawa’s young Jews By Aaron Laurito openOttawa Steering Committee Editor’s note: The openOttawa symposium for young Jewish adults took place Sunday, April 3. This guest column was prepared in advance of the symposium by a member of the steering committee looking forward to the event. Bulletin writer Jacqueline Shabsove will report on the symposium in our April 25 issue. If you had asked me in the spring of 2006 to locate Ottawa on a map, I would not have been able to do it. At that time, I did not know anything about Canadian Jewish communities or even know any Canadian Jews. I would not have described myself as ignorant, just a fairly typical suburban Chicago Jewish guy. I grew up in a relatively densely populated Jewish area, graduated from a university in Washington, D.C. where approximately 50 per cent of the undergraduates were Jewish, and then moved to New York City to further explore the role Judaism would play in my life through a year-long program called AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps. I was confident, then, that I would spend my life living in cities with large numbers of Jews. Then everything changed. I met a girl and slowly became familiar with Ottawa and its Jewish community through the courtship of my wife, an Ottawa native, who also participated in AVODAH. Over the years, I learned more about the dynamics and nuances of the Ottawa Jewish community through first-hand exposure at family dinners and High Holiday services. Fast-forward a couple of years. I left New York City for graduate school in 2008, got married in 2009, immigrated to Canada in 2010 and landed in Ottawa shortly thereafter. I did not know many people independently of my wife when I arrived and I was looking for a way to meet people and to get involved in the Jewish community. When the opportunity arose last fall to join the openOttawa symposium steering committee, I jumped at it. During the first committee meeting, I
felt unsure of what I could add to openOttawa. As someone with shallow roots in Ottawa and Canada, I felt out of my element. My perspective was completely different from my peers because my Jewish references were American and because they originated from communities where there are large Jewish populations. I also felt unsure that the committee was going to bring me closer to other Jews and that we would and could collectively fulfil the objectives of openOttawa. Time passed and the committee members tapped into our social networks and had more meetings. Throughout the process, I began to understand more deeply and connect with the challenges young adults in Ottawa’s Jewish community face. I became increasingly comfortable making contributions to the committee and voicing my concerns as someone new to the Jewish community and to the Ottawa area. Throughout my committee involvement, my Ottawa Jewish network has grown. I have also gained an increased appreciation for the people who will participate in openOttawa. Many of us have the ideas, passion and ambition we need to become the future leaders of Ottawa’s Jewish community. openOttawa has created an opportunity to capture our enthusiasm and provide a forum for us to express our hopes and concerns for the future. I have had discussions with participants about the importance of bringing together young Jews who have divergent professional lives. I have realized that openOttawa and the connections we will make with one another are a critical step towards uniting young Jews with others who share the same values and community interests. While the success of the symposium and its outcomes are yet to be measured, I know there is excitement about openOttawa within the community. I am confident that openOttawa will have provided a Jewish platform for many 22- to 35-year-olds living in Ottawa. We will remember April 3 as the day when many of us began feeling engaged in Ottawa’s Jewish community.
For more on openOttawa, see 20/30 Scene with Jackie: Fresh ideas to inspire new initiatives on page 31.
Page 6 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Walkathon 2011: Run/Walk for Jewish Education in Ottawa Is Jewish education important to you? If you answered “yes,” then I invite you to continue reading this column. In the fall, I was asked if I would chair the Walkathon. To be honest, I wondered what I had done to deserve such an honour. I reflected on my first experiences with our Ottawa Jewish community Walkathon. I was probably in Grade 2 or 3 and attending Hillel Academy. In those days, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa – then the Jewish Community Council of Ottawa/Vaad Ha’Ir – was the organizer and beneficiary of the event. It was the place to be and be seen. I don’t recall my family or my classmates’ families making any other plans but to be at the Walkathon. Everybody was there: top donors, our rabbis, teachers, friends, classmates, neighbours, Chai walkers and many more. We challenged each other to raise funds for our community, and we all walked together. We walked for Israel, we walked for Jerusalem, and we walked for Soviet and Ethiopian Jewry. Over the past 30-plus years, the Walkathon has experienced many
Federation Report Mitch Miller Walkathon changes. It has seen a change in beneficiary agencies, a change in routes, a change of logo, and many changes in weather. A few things that haven’t changed are the passion and enjoyment of those who attend, and that each and every Walkathon over the years has raised necessary funds for Jewish agencies in our community and has shown our community’s support for Israel and Jewish values. The Walkathon has always been a community event where children of all ages, representing different streams of Judaism, supporters of Israel, and community fundraisers all felt welcome. On Sunday, June 12, the Walkathon will take on a new and exciting look. This year’s Walkathon will be a run/walk focusing on our community’s
There will be three options for participants: a one-km walk for all age groups; a one-km run for younger participants; and a three-km run for older youth. future. We will be staying closer to the Jewish Community Campus – our home away from home – and placing the emphasis on our youth. There will be three options for participants: a one-km walk for all age groups; a one-km run for younger participants; and a three-km run for older youth. The two runs will incorporate timing chips and an authentic start/finish line. After the walk/run, we will all enjoy an Israel
experience, and, of course, delicious, healthy treats. Every Jewish school in Ottawa has been invited to participate, and all funds that are pledged to students will go to their school. Thanks to the generosity of the greater Ottawa community, we should have a website up and running shortly, which will allow all participants to register online and start fundraising for their school as soon as possible. I’ve been asked many times over the past few months what people can do to support this year’s run/walk. I have a few suggestions. First, register, fundraise and participate. Second, and equally as important, encourage every school-aged child you know to register, fundraise and participate. Everyone who believes that formal Jewish education is one of the ways to teach future generations about Jewish ethics, values, traditions, history and more should mark their calendars for Sunday, June 12 and register to participate. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Run/Walk for Jewish Education in Ottawa!
A place for the fifth child at our seder and in our community As I prepare for Passover each year, I always find myself thinking about the four children of the Haggadah: the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one who does not even know how or what to ask. For me, these four personalities are present at our seder tables as symbols of the diversity of our community. Everyone is welcome to participate in our Passover celebration. One may be wise, wicked, simple or so disconnected that they don’t even know what questions to ask, but everyone is still welcome around the seder table. On the surface, the message of the four children projects an image of community that should engender a pride of association. Every community should strive to satisfy the needs of the wise: to intellectually and spiritually engage those who thrive through such stimulation. We should also welcome those who may feel less than adequate in their personal religious commitments. Feeling inadequate does not create a sinner. They are not evil. They may be struggling and need our warm embrace. Then there are those who are happy just belonging and are not looking for great learning or depth of observance. They value community and we value them. And we shouldn’t forget those who are not sure why they are here, but they are here! They are drawn to our table, but are not ready to ask questions; they are still absorbing the experience and looking for
From the pulpit Rabbi Scott Rosenberg Beth Shalom their place. At the point they are ready to ask, we need to be there to guide them and help them find answers. For me, as a rabbi, the four children of Passover clearly celebrate who we are as a community. I experience this diversity as I serve the needs of members of Congregation Beth Shalom, and I celebrate this richness not only at Congregation Beth Shalom, but in my work with the broader Ottawa community as well. But there is another child we need to worry about! A Chassidic rebbe once taught that, on the night of the seder, we need to concern ourselves with the fifth child as well. This may seem confusing because the Passover Haggadah only mentions the four children. According to this rebbe, the fifth child is the one not at the seder table. It is not that they are not wise, wicked, simple or not able to question, it is that they are not present. This Chassidic rebbe is teaching another lesson about Passover. We should all reach out and invite people who are not in the habit of attending a Passover seder to
our seder. This way, they can celebrate the concept of freedom surrounded by people who respect and celebrate diversity. We need to let them know we are looking to share our special time with them, irrespective of where they are coming from. Freedom is a concept that touches the human soul. It is not about religion. It is not about any specific ritual or event. The rebbe is looking for those who, for whatever reason, feel excluded. He is saying that, as Jews, we should not only be concerned with those who join us at our table,
but also those who are not at our table. Everyone has a place at our seder table; everyone has a place within the Jewish community. The place may not be one that current members of the community understand, but, as we watch the Jewish community evolve, we need to make safe and comfortable room for those who choose this space. This is the message of the fifth child and, until we answer their cry, the question of whether we can ever truly be free will remain.
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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 7
The Passover legend continues to inspire movements for freedom Welcome to “the Passover edition” of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – the issue that precedes the first seder which falls, this year, on April 18. We’ve included several Passover features and a couple of our columnists focus on Passover themes. One of the Passover features is a very interesting piece on page 17 by Rabbi Arthur Waskow and Rabbi Phyllis Berman, both of whom are well-known leaders of the Jewish Renewal movement. One thing they point out is that the universal lesson of the Passover legend, of rising up and overcoming slavery, has not only resonated with Jews these past 3,000 years, it has also inspired other religions and secular liberation movements. When I was a 10-year-old in 1964 watching the modern American Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer unfold every night on the news, I quickly understood what it was all about because I heard leaders like Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. speak about, and take inspiration from, the same lessons I had learned in Torah study at my Jewish day school, and around the seder table every Passover. It’s not at all surprising to me that the Passover legend is now providing inspiration to people who have been rising up this year against some of the brutal Arab dictators, who are being referred to as modernday pharaohs.
Editor Michael Regenstreif And, perhaps, it should come as no surprise that some of those dictators, like Syria’s Bashar Assad, are saying that the protesters are being duped by Israel. Three thousand years after the Exodus in the Passover legend, we still live in a world where modern-day pharaohs dominate many countries, where true freedom remains a dream for billions of people, and where millions still live in actual slavery. The journey begun by Moses continues. Federal election I’m writing this column during the first week of the official campaign leading to the federal election on Monday, May 2. (The unofficial campaign, of course, has been on for months.) During the week of April 11, the Communications and Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa will hold roundtable discussions with Ottawa-area candidates from the Conserva-
Three thousand years after the Exodus in the Passover legend ... true freedom remains a dream for billions of people ... The journey begun by Moses continues. tive, Liberal and New Democratic Parties on issues of concern to the Jewish community. I will be reporting on those meetings in our April 25 issue. Bulletin columnist Alan Echenberg notes below that the Montreal riding of Mount Royal is one of 10 “very ethnic” ridings across Canada that the Conservatives are looking to capture in this election. While Asian and South Asian communities dominate most of the other “very ethnic” ridings, it is the Jewish community that makes up more than a third of the population in Mount Royal.
The Harper Tories are banking on their solid support for the State of Israel and against anti-Semitism over the past five years to deliver the Jewish vote in Mount Royal – and in other ridings with identifiable Jewish populations. I live in Ottawa West-Nepean and recently received a targeted mailing from John Baird drawing my attention to the Conservative record on Israel and antiSemitism. Alan raises the question of whether the Conservatives will win enough Jewish votes to take Mount Royal on May 2. Frankly, I’ll be shocked if they do, despite their having recruited former Montreal city councillor Saulie Zajdel, a well-known member of the Chabad Lubavitch community, as the Tory candidate. The Liberal incumbent in Mount Royal is Irwin Cotler, a legendary law professor and international human rights lawyer, a former president of Canadian Jewish Congress and a former justice minister of Canada. There is probably no parliamentarian in the entire Diaspora with a stronger record on Israel and anti-Semitism than Cotler. Happy Passover On behalf of everyone at the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, I extend our best wishes to all for a joyous and happy Passover. Chag Sameach.
Conservatives pursuing strategy targeting “very ethnic” ridings In my March 21 Bulletin column, I contemplated the Conservative Party’s strategy for capturing ridings they had identified as “very ethnic” in a thentheoretical spring election. With the election now on, that strategy seems very much in play. When it comes to wooing voters, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives don’t pitch broad sweeping visions designed to win broad sweeping mandates. Instead, they tend to reach out to select groups of Canadians in incremental ways. In the three elections the Conservative Party has fought since its creation in 2003, it went from narrowly losing a minority in 2004, to narrowly winning a minority in 2006, to winning a slightly less narrow minority in 2008. In its quest for a majority, the party’s strategy is to focus intently on handfuls of specific ridings and on handfuls of specific groups of voters who may put them over the top in those ridings. A targeted tax cut here, a symbolic recognition of a historic wrong there, and, soon enough, a narrow majority builds voter-by-voter, group-by-group and riding-by-riding. Or so the thinking goes. That’s where the “very ethnic” ridings come into play. For the Conservatives,
Alan Echenberg traditionally Liberal ridings with significant populations of ethnic minority groups are seen as ripe for the picking. The party made some promising gains in many of those ridings in 2008, and is hoping to make a number of breakthroughs this time around. As detailed in my March 21 column, an internal memo that fell into the hands of the Conservative Party’s opponents revealed the party had identified a number of ridings across the country with substantial populations of voters from particular ethnic groups. Conservatives were formulating a plan to win these ridings. As embarrassed as Conservatives may have been by the revelation of the memo, the ethnic strategy has been much in evidence since the campaign began. In the first five days of his campaign tour, Harper chose to visit Brampton, outside Toronto, twice. He also made a stop in Burnaby, B.C. Both of those areas have
large communities of new Canadians. In his speeches at these stops, Harper has not been subtle about the “very ethnic” pitch, tying his audience’s immigrant status into his other major campaign message: That his opponents are plotting a coalition. “People like you,” Harper said in Burnaby, “people who have come to this country from all over the world, all the different origins in the world, they’ve all come here because they believe in Canada. And they don’t want members of Parliament who are going to sign on to Mr. Ignatieff’s reckless idea that he can lose an election and then run Canada backed by the NDP and the Bloc Québécois.” Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff told a multicultural audience of supporters that his opponent had crossed a line. “[Harper] said ‘You people, you people who come from other lands.’” Ignatieff said. “The last time I heard somebody talk about the ethnic vote, it was out of the mouth of Jacques Parizeau ... I don’t want to be the prime minister of ‘you people,’ I want to be the prime minister of the Canadian people.” Among the 10 “very ethnic” ridings mentioned in the Conservative memo is Mount Royal in Montreal, which has a
large Jewish population. In 2008, Conservative candidate Peter Kent took the Toronto-area riding of Thornhill, the only other riding in Canada with a similarly large population of Jewish voters (about 35 per cent). Could the Conservative Party win over enough Jewish voters to take Mount Royal riding this time around? It would be a notable victory, because Mount Royal has voted Liberal since the 1930s, long before it had a significant Jewish population. It was the riding of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. This is in contrast to Thornhill, which is a very suburban, more small-c conservative swing riding. Although Harper’s policies and public statements on Israel may have won over some portion of the Jewish community, is it a big enough portion to make a difference in ridings like Mount Royal? When it comes to a final decision at the ballot box, voters tend to focus on domestic issues and leadership, so it’s not even certain if the Canadian government’s relationship with Israel will be a factor in the final vote. But with the Conservatives only a few “ethnic” ridings away from a majority, expect the furious wooing to continue until election day.
Page 8 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 BSD
THIS YEAR DON’T PASS US OVER Members of the Jewish Community (singles, students, couples and families)
are cordially invited to attend the
Passover Seders Monday, April 18, 2011 and Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Mailbag bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com Who’s better looking? Every now and again, something happens to shake my faith in the media. Such an event occurred while I was reading the March 7 issue of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin. I am referring to the column headlined ‘Eighteen things you may not know about Josh Engel,’ in which Josh states, “My fraternal twin brother Eric may be older than me, and taller than me, but I am much
better looking!” While the first two of those matters are correct, it is well known that the third, clearly, is not. Since even the most cursory investigation would have revealed the truth, I am led to believe that the Bulletin simply neglected to check its facts. Eric Engel, Josh Engel’s older, taller, and better-looking brother
at the home of Dr. Joseph and Devora Caytak 185 Switzer Avenue
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Fraternal twins Josh, left, and Eric Engel celebrate a recent birthday. Eric disputes Josh’s claim to be better looking. (Photo courtesy of Cynthia Nyman Engel who declined to comment when asked by the Bulletin which of her sons is, in fact, better looking.)
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You ca can an make k it happe hhappen! en! n! Today’ss D Dream, rea am, T Tomorrow’s omorr o ow’s R Reality eality Through ug gh Canadian Canadian HadassahHadassah-WIZO’s WIZO’s (CHW) Annual Annuaal C Campaign, ampaign, yyour our suppor supportt continues ue es tto o pr provide ovide oppor opportunities tunities ffor o or countless esss chi children, ildren, w women omen and men in Israel,l, sso o th they hey can change their liv lives, es, affected d by by tragedy, tragedyy, hopelessness hopelessness,, or neglect, neglec l t, into i to liv in lilives es with ih second sec ond chanc chances es and Today’s positive positiv e outcomes. outcomes.
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Call ll us us today today at at 6 613.798.7644 13.798.7644 D onate ssecurely ecurely o nline Donate online or find nd o out ut m more ore a att w www.chw.ca ww.chw.ca Canadian Hadassah-WIZO Canadian Had dassah-WIZO (CHW) (CHW ) is Canada’s Canada’s leading Jewish w women’s omen’s philanthropic philan thropic or organization. ganization. FFounded ounded in 19 1917, 917, CHW is non-political non-political,, vvolunteer olunteer dr driven ivven and funds programs programs and pr projects ojjects ffor or Childr Children, en, Healthcare Healthcare and Women Women in n Israel Israel and C Canada. anada.
Letters welcome Letters to the Editor are welcome if they are brief, signed, timely and of interest to our readership. The Bulletin reserves the right to refuse, edit or condense letters. The Mailbag column will be published as space permits. Send your letters to Michael Regenstreif, Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9; or by e-mail to bulletin@ottawajewishbulletin.com.
Holocaust memorial bill becomes law just hours before government falls (JTA) – Parliament passed a bill to establish a national Holocaust monument, just hours before the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper was defeated, March 25, on a non-confidence motion. Nearly a decade in the works, the bill will establish a memorial to the Holocaust in Ottawa. “Canada is virtually alone among Western countries not to have a national monument to the Holocaust,” the Canadian Jewish Congress noted in a statement. “This anomaly will now be rectified.” The private member’s bill, sponsored by Edmonton MP Tim Uppal, was supported by all parties in Parliament. “The monument will help ensure the memory of the Holocaust is never lost,” the federal government said in a statement. “It will also promote a better understanding of
the historical events of the Holocaust and how they have affected Canadian history – an understanding that will benefit Canadians in every community across the country.” Appearing March 25 before a Senate committee reviewing the legislation, Canadian Jewish Congress CEO Bernie Farber said the monument will have several purposes: to pay homage “to the thousands of Holocaust survivors who made Canada their adopted home after the Second World War; to honour those who perished, Jews and nonJews alike; [and] to speak to the outstanding contribution of Canada’s military to the defeat of Nazism and to the righteous among the nations.” Above all, Farber said, the memorial “will serve as a place of contemplation about the evils of anti-Semitism, hate and all forms of racism.”.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 9 Advertorial
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A Letter from JNF World Chair Efi Stenzler This month, I am turning over the column to our recently re-elected JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler, who wrote the following letter summarizing recent JNF events and efforts. On behalf of Ottawa JNF, I want to wish everyone: Chag Kasher v’Sameach. Greetings, We have recently been enjoying seasonal rain in Israel, which is watering about a million young saplings that were planted all over Israel during KKL-JNF Tu Bishvat events. At this year’s events and tree planting ceremonies, many of which were focused on the Carmel, a record number of trees were planted in 220 municipalities and local authorities all over Israel. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers took part in planting trees, adults as well as children, celebrating the festival with KKL-JNF and colouring Israel green. Along with the tree planting, the exceptional response to the campaign for bringing the green back to the Carmel, which is being led by KKL-JNF, has been continuing. Many companies and organizations in Israel and, thanks to you, all over the world, have pledged their assistance toward the rehabilitation efforts and the acquisition of new fire trucks and other firefighting equipment. When I began working with KKL-JNF, one of the primary goals I set was to increase fundraising in Israel and I am pleased to note that we have been very successful in getting the Israeli public involved in our efforts. This public readiness to be part of KKL-JNF activities has also been expressed by the thousands of requests we have received from volunteers who are interested in helping in the restoration of the Carmel. Together, over the plast four years, we have succeeded in taking KKL-JNF to new heights. The number of our projects has significantly increased; the financial situation of the organization has improved beyond recognition; manpower was drastically reduced; the number of new plantings has increased; new settlements have been established; thousands of kilometres of scenic routes and bicycle trails have been blazed; lands have been purchased; new reservoirs have been built; historical sites have been restored; and there really is much more that has been accomplished. KKL-JNF is carrying all this out thanks to contributions that arrive from KKL-JNF offices worldwide. Your efforts on behalf of KKL-JNF can be seen in the field and help us realize our common vision of a greener and better Israel. I thank you for your friendship, for your ppartnership on our path, for your commitment to KKL-JNF and to the State of Israel. Efi Stenzler KKL-JNF World Chairman
Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians is the wedge that comes between old friends in Michael Nathanson’s Talk By Michael Regenstreif Josh, who is Jewish, and Gordon, who is not, have been best friends for 18 years (a symbolic number of years, no doubt). Although their deep friendship has endured for many years, it disintegrates quickly when Gordon returns home from Europe, where he now lives, and introduces Josh to his new girlfriend, Clotilde, a pro-Palestinian activist. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which Gordon had never previously shown an interest, becomes the wedge that comes between the old friends. The long conversation between Josh and Gordon, as well as their individual asides to the audience, are the basis for the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre’s production of Talk, written and directed by Michael Nathanson, the theatre’s artistic director. Following successful runs in Winnipeg and Toronto, Talk will be performed in Ottawa from April 27 to 30 at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre as part of the Prairie Scene Festival. As Nathanson explained during a recent interview with the Bulletin, the play is rooted in his personal experiences following the events of September 11, 2001. “I was living in New York City when 9/11 happened,” said Nathanson, who explained that he and his new
Michael Nathanson was inspired to write Talk after receiving a disturbing email from an old friend after 9/11.
wife were actually scheduled to go to the World Trade Center on that ill-fated day. “We were lucky enough not to be at Ground Zero at the time.” Nathanson, a dual American and Canadian citizen, and his wife were so unsettled by 9/11, they relocated to his hometown of Winnipeg, a city he had left 14 years earlier. Not long after 9/11, Nathanson received a disturbing e-mail from an old friend living in Italy. “It was nothing but a onesided rant against Israel,” he said. When Nathanson challenged his friend, he was accused of being a fascist. The letter led to the ending of Nathanson’s relation-
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ship with his friend; and it planted the seeds that led to his writing Talk. While it is specifically the Israel-Palestine debate that comes between Josh and Gordon, it is really a universal story that could revolve around almost any issue that is both defining and divisive like abortion, gay rights, etc. The conversation between Josh and Gordon, as their friendship unravels, “is a kind of Rorschach test for the audience,” said Nathanson, “who are forced to see where they fit in the debate, and who feel a sense of loss about a friendship that ends.” An all-new production of the play is being mounted for the Ottawa run with Graham Ashmore playing Josh and Arne MacPherson as Gordon. After seeing other directors at the helm of the Winnipeg and Toronto produc-
tions, playwright Nathanson is directing the Ottawa version himself. Talk, written and directed by Michael Nathanson, will be presented at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington West, from April 27 to 30 at 8:00 pm, and April 30 at 2:00 pm. For tickets, call the GCTC box office at 613-236-5196. There will be a talkback session following the April 27 performance with Nathanson and Costanza Muso, a University of Ottawa professor and author of European Union Policy Towards the Arab-Israeli Peace Process: The Quicksands of Politics. A talkback session following the April 28 performance will feature Nathanson and Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Congregation Machzikei Hadas.
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Page 10 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
FROSTY hosts NFTY-NEL Regional Debates Competition By Margo Viner FROSTY Adviser FROSTY (Federation of Reform Ottawa Senior Temple Youth) hosted NFTY-NEL (North American Federation of Temple Youth-Northeast Lakes Region) Regional Debates Competition, February 25 to 27, at Temple Israel. Of all the regional events in the NFTY calendar, this is a much anticipated and highly regarded event at which our youth have the opportunity to showcase their immense talent in the Melissa Frey Art Competition, the Terry Pollack Original Song Competition, the Goldman Oratorical Competition Speech or the Heinz-Warshauer Debates Competition. We hosted 75 competitors for a weekend that included beautiful Shabbat services written and led by Phil Angel, a full day of friendly competitions, a dynamite dance session, spirited song sessions led by our own NFTY Regional and FROSTY songleaders Noah Viner and Phil Angel, a crisp walkabout downtown during free time, followed by a gripping final round of competition culminating in the awards presentation Saturday evening. FROSTY members did well in the com-
petitions. Phil Angel and Noah Viner took top honours in the Terry Pollack Original Song Competition. Sam Kearney competed in the Goldman Oratorical competition. Liz Orenstein, Jessi Labovitch and Ben Hammer all competed in the Melissa Frey Art Competition. Ben Hammer’s submission won an Honourable Mention. On a special note, Debra Viner was on hand to witness the evolution of the debates weekend. It was her idea, 42 years ago, that blossomed into the debates competition becoming an annual event. The enthusiasm and commitment to Judaism, with which the dedicated group of teens in FROSTY create and lead such spirited events, is exceptional. To experience the depth of the ruach that is an integral part of a FROSTY or NFTYNEL event is to feel unparalleled energy. Jewish spirit and continuity is deeply rooted in our Temple Israel youth and throughout the NFTY movement. Visit nfty.org/nel for more information about NFTY-NEL. For more information on FROSTY, visit templeisraelottawa.ca/frosty. FROSTY welcomes Jewish youth in Grades 8 to 12 from the Ottawa area.
From the Archives
1949 Jewish Softball League Champs Sponsors of this championship team were Rueben and Andy Cohen who had a furniture store at Laurier and Bank Street. (Standing, from left): Morley Goldfield, Ben Machen, Norman Torontow, Eddie Saslove, Joe Osterer, (kneeling) Sol Sherman, Gerry Dover, Jack Sherman, Sid Addleman and Sid Eisenberg. This photograph was donated to the Ottawa Jewish Archives by Jack Sherman, the team’s bat boy. The Archives are always interested in objects, photographs and family history material that tell the story of the Jewish community in Ottawa from the 1900s to present day. Archivist Laurie Dougherty can be reached at 613-798-4696, ext. 260. (Photo courtesy Ottawa Jewish Archives)
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 11
Soloway JCC introduces AquaCan, the Aquafit program for cancer survivors By Pamela Rosenberg Soloway JCC AquaCan, the new Aquafit program at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre (JCC) gives cancer survivors a chance to get in shape as well as an opportunity to connect with others who have lived through similar experiences. AquaCan is an intermediate level class specifically designed for anyone who is currently living with, or has had, cancer. Although the emphasis is on strengthening and stretching the upper body and arms, the class will encompass all components of an Aquafit program and offers the added bonus of peer support for longterm survivors. “There had been a group of breast cancer survivors swimming at the Soloway JCC prior to the creation of this class, but they were not
Breast cancer survivor Anna Bilsky says swimming and exercising with other cancer survivors is uplifting and reassuring.
being led by a qualified instructor and it was not a formally organized class,” said Carla Gencher, Soloway JCC Health and Wellness director. “We decided to make it official and add it to
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the class after one of the members, Anna Bilsky, came to me to chat about it.” For Bilsky, a breast cancer survivor, swimming and exercising with others who have been through the same ordeal as her is uplifting and reassuring. She said the class helps get one back in shape and in touch with the real world again. “Cancer treatment takes over your life. I was very lucky to have wonderful support, said Bilsky. “When the treatment is over, you’re not quite the same and it can be hard to get back to what was normal.” Bilsky had cancer 14 years ago. While the benefits of exercise have been key for her; meeting with other survivors is extremely important. “Being with and talking to others who have been through it helps with the transition. It also helps to get other opinions about whether some of the changes are usual,” she said. “Someone I knew, who had survived breast cancer, came to see me to offer help and encouragement during my treatment and I have done the same for a friend of mine. There are lots of questions, some of which you can’t articulate at the time, and a survivor can say things that help you cope.”
What’s happening at
Congregation Beth Shalom Tuesday, April 19 2nd Seder
Adults, $40 • Children under 12, $20 • Prices include HST
Friday, April 22
Shabbat Dinner for Pesach
Adults, $32 • Students, $20 • Children, $15 • Under 6, Free • Prices include HST
Watch for more upcoming events Watch for more upcoming events
Everyone Everyoneis is Welcome! Welcome!
For more information, please contact the synagogue at 613-789-3501 or info@bethshalom.ca www.bethshalom.ca
According to Jane Clark’s article, “Exercise: A Cancer Survivor’s Tool For Wellness” (available at cancersupportcare.com), medical and fitness professionals, and physically active cancer survivors, confirm that moderate exercise allows the organs to positively adapt and improve metabolic efficiency, allowing for more intensive cancer treatments, fewer side effects and better sleep. It can also increase quality of life and enhance feelings of independence and self-confidence. As well, individuals who are inhibited from exercising on land, due to orthopedic issues, have had great success in the water. Leading AquaCan is Robin Chernick who has 20 years of Aquafit instruction under her belt. She has certifications in Aquatic Water Rehabilitation, and Common Movement Disorders (WaterArt) and has been teaching the Soloway JCC’s popular Post Stroke aquatics class for those who have survived a stroke. Chernick enjoys working with seniors
and she has trained with a physical therapist who has been giving classes for cancer survivors for 20 years. The spring session of AquaCan began April 4, but it is not too late to join. The summer session begins July 4. The class takes place Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:00 to 4:00 pm and
participants have the option of coming once ($55 Soloway JCC members, $75 non-members) or twice ($110 members, $150 nonmembers) per week. For more information about this class, contact Carla Gencher at 613-7989818, ext. 278, or cgencher@jccottawa.com.
Property Maintenance Grass Cutting Shrub Planting Property Clean-up 24 years experience at the Ottawa Jewish Cemetery Call: Gilles Généreux 613-852-8405
Members of Amit, Mollie Betcherman and Ina McCarthy Chapters of Ottawa Hadassah-WIZO are pleased to invite you to the Annual Spring Tea in honour of
Inez Zelikovitz Sunday, May 8, 2011 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the home of Ingrid Levitz 31 Chinook Crescent, Ottawa For more information, please contact: Candice Wilder at 613-820-1878
Page 12 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
WINNIPEG JEWISH THEATRE’S
APRIL 27-30 8 p.m. APRIL 30 2 p.m.
R Funny, complex, and touching, Talk A Winnipeg Jewish Theatre production
is a refreshingly frank play, as much about the Middle East conflict as it is about the power of language.
IRVING GREENBERG THEATRE CENTRE (GCTC), 1233 WELLINGTON WEST WRITTEN AND DIRECTED Michael Nathanson PRODUCTION DESIGN Hugh Conacher Graham Ashmore AS JOSH, Arne MacPherson AS GORDON
Gordon wants to know what Josh thinks of his new girlfriend. It seems a simple question, but when Josh stumbles over his response, the lifelong friends are stunned to find themselves mired in a passionate and divisive political debate about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 13
Jewish Youth Library receives federal grant to commemorate MS St. Louis By Levi Margolin for Jewish Youth Library Although the story of the MS St. Louis has been told many times, the details still remain a mystery to many people. The Jewish Youth Library (Chabad of Westboro) directed by Yosef and Devora Caytak, aims to change that. With the receipt of a $100,000 grant from the federal Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the library plans to publish a special children’s book commemorating the MS St. Louis and its passengers. On May 13, 1939, the ship sailed from Hamburg, Germany to Havana, Cuba. On board were 937 refugees, mostly German
Jews, seeking safety from war-torn Europe. Gustav Schröder, the ship’s captain, a German anti-Nazi, who was not Jewish, made it his mission to deliver his passengers to safety from the Third Reich. Cuba requested an additional $500 visa fee per passenger, an amount most of the refugees did not have, so only 29 people managed to disembark from the MS St. Louis in Havana. The ship was subsequently turned away from both the United States and Canada. A group of Canadian academics and clergy had attempted to persuade thenprime minister Mackenzie King to provide sanctuary to the ship, which was only two
days away from Halifax, Nova Scotia. However, Canadian immigration officials and cabinet ministers hostile to Jewish immigration persuaded the prime minister not to intervene and the ship sailed back to Europe. With Schröder’s assistance, the refugees on board the MS St. Louis were granted safe haven in the United Kingdom (288 passengers), France (224), Belgium (214) and the Netherlands (181). Only one passenger died during the voyage. As Germany furthered its conquest of Europe, many of the MS St. Louis refugees were returned to the brutal Nazi regime – 227 of them were ultimately murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. In addition to publishing the children’s book, the Jewish Youth Library will also make available an educational 25-page booklet for adults and the library is finalizing plans for a large mixedmedia sculptural mosaic mural. The goal of this project for the directors of the Jewish
To all our Donors, Friends and Families during the Passover festivities OTTAWA CHAPTER Seymour Eisenberg, President Phone: 613-224-2500 Email: seyeis@rogers.com
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Youth Library is twofold: to remind people of the tragedy, and to also bring the message of positive response of the Lubavitcher Rebbe – the late Rabbi M.M. Schneerson – to Canada. “One of the most important things about the Holocaust is not whether we understand it, which we don’t,” said Devora Caytak, “but, rather, what we do about it.” Through publishing the children’s book and producing a way for people to learn about this monumental event, the Jewish Youth Library will encourage people to memorialize the victims positively. “If we encourage them to go out there and make the world a better place, then the project has succeeded,” she added. Yosef Caytak spoke about the month of Adar when the news about the grant was received. “The timing couldn’t be better as we find ourselves in the Jewish month of Adar, the most joyous month on our calendar,” he said. “Our goal is that, just as in the times of Purim, when darkness gave way to light, we will generate new excitement and commitment in the Jewish community. We hope people will be proud of being Jewish and strengthen their
Yosef and Devora Caytak
personal commitments. Then, we will have triumphed.” Visit jylofottawa.org for
more information about Jewish Youth Library (Chabad of Westboro) and the MS St. Louis project.
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Page 14 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool holds Moroccan-style Shabbaton at Caytak home By Cynthia Nyman Engel for Jewish Youth Library The recipes originated in Marrakech and Rabat, Tetounan and Fez – and they were sensational.
The four C’s – cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander — plus tumeric, nutmeg and paprika, were well represented as students from the Westboro Jewish Montessori
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Preschool and their parents tucked into a spectacular Moroccan-style Shabbat dinner recently. The special Shabbat dinner was held at the home of
school director Devorah Caytak. “Once or twice a year, Westboro Jewish Montessori organizes a Shabbaton for the families of the preschoolers and potential preschoolers,” explains Sabrina Bouganim, whose three-and a-half-yearold son, Yishai, attends the program. “When Devora decided to host a Moroccan Shabbat, I volunteered to do the cooking.” And cook she did, creating a veritable feast for the 53 who came to welcome the Shabbat, munch and mingle. “On Shabbat, Moroccan Jews usually eat a threecourse meal,” explains the energetic 24-year-old mother of two. “The first course consists of five or six different salads and fish. For the Jewish Montessori Preschool Shabbat, I did a traditional fish dish: Moroccan salmon with chick peas. The main salad was a salade cuite (cooked
salad) that consists of tomatoes, peppers, garlic and a bit of chili cooked for several hours until the flavours mix. It is very good.” Bouganim also prepared salad aubergine (eggplant), carrot salad, homemade humus, garden salad and fennel salad. She followed the delectable forschspice with course number two: homemade chicken soup with homemade won ton. The third, and main, course featured boulettes à l’oignon et raisin (meatballs with onions and raisins), boeuf rôti avec olives (roast beef with olives) and traditional couscous with vegetables and dried fruits. “And, of course, there were desserts, cookies and parve ice cream,” she smiles. Between courses, the assembled guests enjoyed a puppet show and singing zmiros. The meal concluded with benching. The event was an unqualified success. Nausikaa Weisz, whose son, David,
has attended the Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool for three years, thoroughly enjoyed the evening and is delighted with what the school is doing for her son. “The activities are very good,” says Weisz. “The Montessori method is very good. It gives the children independence and guidance. I like what David is learning in his Judaic studies and David really likes the challah baking every Friday. It’s a well run, full-day program and includes lunch and two snacks.” Weisz, who is Reform, is also pleased that the school, which is operated by the Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa, an affiliate of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, is fully accepting of all backgrounds. “They are very welcoming,” she says. “I like that we get to meet families from other backgrounds.” For further information about the Westboro Jewish Montessori Preschool, visit jylofottawa.org or call Devora Caytak at 613-729-7712.
Israeli peewee ice hockey team takes gold in Quebec City (JTA) – An Israeli ice hockey team of 10- to 13year-olds, who mostly practise on roller skates, won the gold medal at a tournament in Canada. The Bat Yam Club peewee ice hockey team, made up of boys from Bat Yam, Rishon Lezion, Nes Ziona, Maalot and Kfar Saba in central Israel, went undefeated in five games to take the Division B title in February at the BernièresSaint-Redempteur International Peewee Tournament in suburban Quebec City. The tournament included 96 teams from Canada, the
United States, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Switzerland. The 17 young Israelis, who were hosted by the local Jewish community, finished 5-0 in the tournament, including a 7-3 victory in the final over the Seigneurs Lotbinière club of Quebec. The closest ice skating rink to Bat Yam is the Canada Centre in Metulla, a twohour drive north; it is Israel’s only ice skating rink. The team practises mostly on roller skates and asphalt.
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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 15
Tamir benefits from jnet gala By Mitch Gauzas jnet When more than 120 young professionals and graduate students from Ottawa’s Jewish community gathered at Lobby Night Club in their best dress for the first annual jnet Ottawa Gala, December 16, we raised $1,000 for the Tamir Foundation through a fantastic silent auction. “We were thrilled to have jnet choose Tamir as the beneficiary of its recent gala. The party was a blast, but went way past my bed time,” said Mark Palmer, Tamir’s executive director. “It is heartening to know that so many bright young members of this vital organization, the future leadership of our community, are so supportive of Tamir. Yasher koach to everyone at jnet.” The evening also featured a jazz singer, an illusionist, a professional photographer, an abundance of delicious kosher hors d’oeuvres and non-stop dancing. One year since our founding, enthusi-
asm for jnet continues to grow. jnet is run completely by volunteers dedicated to taking the lead on planning innovative programs for members of the Ottawa Jewish community in their 20s and 30s. We do great social events for great people in an inclusive, exciting and classy way without any agenda other than getting as many people together as possible. Committee member Andrea Ghazzawi says jnet provides a forum for community building and social networking: “jnet is a forum for young Jewish people to contribute and be leaders in Ottawa.” As jnet continues to grow, our committee is calling on others in the greater Ottawa area to get involved. Supporting jnet is synonymous with taking an active and positive role in growing Ottawa’s Jewish community from the ground up. For more information about jnet, or to become a financial sponsor, visit jnetottawa.com.
Members of jnet present a cheque to Tamir Executive Director Mark Palmer, March 15, at the Soloway JCC. jnet raised $1,000 for Tamir at the first annual jnet Ottawa Gala in December. (From left to right) Andrea Ghazzawi, Mitch Gauzas, Mark Palmer and Howie Fremeth.
Kiss’ Gene Simmons says boycotters are ‘fools’ (JTA) – Shout it out loud: Gene Simmons thinks Israel boycotters among his rocking colleagues are “fools.” Simmons, the Kiss co-founder known for his seemingly endless tongue, returned to Israel in March to film scenes for his reality show, Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels. Simmons, born Chaim Witz, left Israel as a child with his mother 50 years ago and settled in New York.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Simmons blasted rockers such as Elvis Costello, the Pixies and Roger Waters, who are boycotting the Jewish state because of its West Bank settlement policies and its use of closures to pressure the Gaza Strip in its conflict with its Hamas rulers. He said they were “fools” for boycotting the region’s only democracy.
“The countries they should be boycotting are the same countries that the populations are rebelling,” he said. Kiss, a glam-rock band known as much for its outrageous costumes and makeup as its anthemic music, scored huge fame and hits in the mid-1970s with songs like “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud” and “I Wanna Rock and Roll All Nite (and Party Every Day).”
Page 16 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
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TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED Condolences to: Paul Adler in memory of Rose Adler by Cathy & Dan Sigler, by Arnold & Fay Tennenhouse Pam & Sandy Allen in memory of your father Sydney Faibish by Sharon & Paul Finn Stephen Aronson in memory of your mother Lillian by Annette Albert, by Jill & Allan Bellack Zohar Barak in memory of Shoshana Barak by Carrie & Robbie Glenns, by Reisa & Allan Glenns Cantor Benlolo in memory of your brother Emile Haim Benlolo by Murray & Bryna Cohen The Family of the late Norman Bornstein by Sally Stoller Levine The Family of the late Charles Boushey by Tom & Alannah Grossman, by the Kardish Families & Staff of Rideau Bakery The Family of the late Bertram Bronsther by Riva & David Seidman, by Ellie & Al Bruner Mary Carafotes in memory of Margo Popken by Marilyn Goodman-Galbraith Myrna Cassoff in memory of your husband Jack by Robbie & Carrie Glenns Bunnie Cogan in memory of your son Murray Goldenblatt by Arnold & Fay Tennenhouse The Family of the late Miriam Davidowicz by Michael, Sophia, Joshua & Shira Gertsman Peter Davies in memory of Colonel John F. Davies RCAF (retd) by Morrie & Rose Konick Aron Eichler in memory of your wife Ida by Marcia Cantor Fran Frischer in memory of your husband Murray by Linda Nadolny-Cogan & Arthur Cogan Bev Glube in memory of your father Myer Goldin by Norm & Myrna Barwin, Brenda & Marvin Segal, Susan & Charlie Schwartzman, by Mera & Bill Goldstein Carole Golding in memory of Gaye Golding by Peter, Minda & Stuart Wershof Gloria Goldstein in memory of Norton Goldstein by Peter, Minda & Stuart Wershof Reggie & Sidney Greenberg in memory of Evelyn Greenberg Levy by Sol & Zelaine Shinder Diane Guimond in memory of your husband Blair by Linda Rossman The family of the late Harry Harris by Michael, Sophia, Joshua & Shira Gertsman Julie Jacobson in memory of Zeldene Lipsman by Allan, Marilyn & Reba Wilson Eddie, Wendy & Julie Jamron in memory of your father Bob by Marcia & Barry Cantor Lucy Jason in memory of Marvin Jason by Fay & Arnold Tennenhouse The Family of the late Sol Kaiman by Gail & Stephen Victor, by Arnold & Fay Tennenhouse, by Rochelle & Brian Pearl, by Marcia & Barry Cantor, by Susan & Charlie Schwartzman Carolyn Katz in memory of Bessie Taller by Rena & Max Cohen, by Alan & Margo Blostein, by Reisa & Allan Glenns, by Roslyn Gershon, by Peggy Kleinplatz Howard Katz in memory of your mother Sylvia by Carol & Stephen Cowitz Anita Landis in memory of Ed Landis by Philip & Shirley Teitelbaum Ronald Levitan in memory of your mother Freda Levitan by Rhoda & Marvin Shabinsky The Family of the late Benny Libman by Leah & Bobby Gencher The Family of the late Eric Morrison by Dora & Raymond Goldman Judy Piazza in memory of Sylvia Molot by Rhoda & Marvin Shabinsky Leona Rachamim in memory of your mother-in-law by Marcia Cantor
Lynn Ratushny in memory of your father Calvin Joshua Allen by Anne & Ken Mozersky Teresa Roe in memory of your mother Marie by Louis & Muriel & Rachel Kardish Linda Rogachevsky in memory of your mother Beatrice Letovsky by Bryna & Murray Cohen Dr. Ed Rose in memory of your brother Irwin Rose by Jill & Allan Bellack, by Roslyn Gershon Yitzchak Rosenbaum in memory of your father Gedalia by Phyllis & Peter Wolfe Simone & Ed Rotstein in memory of Alysa Rotstein by Kinneret Globerman Sharon Scharfstein in memory of Shirley Davis by Annette Albert Ghita Segal in memory of Moe Grey by Cheryl KardishLevitan & Brian Levitan, by Marla & Danny Seller Carol Dobrinsky Shein in memory of Ben Dobrinsky by Rhoda & Marvin Shabinsky Marty Shimkofsky in memory of your mother Ruth by Marcia & Barry Cantor Harold Shizgal in memory of your sister by Fern Goldman, Arielle & Elie Sarah Silverstein in memory of your Bubbie Ruth Shimkofsky by Marcia & Barry Cantor Harvey Silverstone in memory of your father Phillip by Carol & Laurie Pascoe Linda Slotin in memory of John Holzman by Carol & Laurie Pascoe, by Rochelle & David Greenberg, by Harry & Sally Weltman, by Peter & Minda Wershof, by Maureen & Jeff Katz The Smith & MacLeod Families in memory of Evelyn MacLeod by Raymond Goldman Tita Srour in memory of your mother Gracia Assene by Maureen & Jeff Katz Carole Stoller in memory of Marlene Ellen Stoller by Tom & Alannah Grossman, by Maureen & Jeff Katz, by Linda Rossman Kathleen Stauch in memory of your husband René by Anne & Ken Mozersky Mendy Taller in memory of your mother Bessie Taller by Susan & Charlie Schwartzman, by Heather & David Silverman, by Tom & Alannah Grossman, by Rhoda & Marvin Shabinsky The family of the late Dr. Martin Tatz by Harry & Sally Weltman Hymie & Adele Wassermuhl in memory of Allen Wassermuhl by Marla & Danny Seller, by Cybele Hamburg Marilyn Weltman in memory of your mother Celia Finer by Harry & Sally Weltman Wayne Wong in memory of Doreen Wong by Tom & Alannah Grossman Sonny Zabitsky in memory of Pearl Zabitsky-Zager by Carrie & Robbie Glenns Wishing Speedy Recovery/Refuah Shleima to: Elayne Adler by Esti & Shimon Fogel Rami Aroosi by Marcia & Barry Cantor Joan Bloom by Gail & Stephen Victor Randi Caster by Linda & Archie Cogan Gavriella Engel-Yan by Fern Goldman, Arielle & Elie Jeffrey Friedman by Gail & Stephen Victor Ivan Friedman by Marcia & Barry Cantor Edwin Gans by Rosalie, Harold, Leah, Josh & Naomi Schwartz Barbara Glick by Linda & Archie Cogan Celia Levitan by Cheryl Kardish-Levitan, Brian Levitan, Elana, Tyler & Ian Moe Kardish by Cheryl Kardish-Levitan, Brian Levitan, Elana, Tyler & Ian Chuck Rotenberg by Diane Koven Shelley Schachnow by Gail & Stephen Victor Steve Shugar by Fern Goldman, Arielle & Elie Harvey Slipacoff by Esti & Shimon Fogel, by Gail & Stephen Victor
In Honour of: Marjorie Achbar on your birthday by Gail & Stephen Victor Frankie Adelson on your special birthday by Zelaine & Sol Shinder Tina Ages on your special birthday by Linda & Archie Cogan Marcia Aronson with best wishes on your retirement by Diane Koven Myra & Lester Aronson on your 40th anniversary by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky, by Barry & Ricki Baker Barry Baker on your special birthday by Gail & Stephen Victor, by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky Myrna & Norman Barwin on your wedding anniversary by Jane & Martin Gordon Bram Bregman on your special birthday by Jared & Jennifer Greenberg Shelley Coussin on your 50th birthday by the Wex Family Chevy Fine on your special birthday by Brian & Rochelle Pearl Curt & Sally Fried on your 60th anniversary by Sandra Marchello Dr. Ellen Goldbloom with birthday wishes by Cheryl, Brian, Elana, Tyler & Ian Marty Kalson on your 60th birthday by Marcia & Barry Cantor Laurence Kaminsky on your 70th birthday by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky Debbie & Lawrie Kaplan wishing good health by Diane Koven Rabbi Joe Karnofsky with sincere appreciation by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky Jean Kaufman with birthday wishes by Marcia & Barry Cantor Ken Kavanat with birthday wishes by Margo, David, Aaron & Gail Kardish Beverly Krebs on your special birthday by Deborah & Howard Krebs Esther Kurtzman on your Bat Mitzvah by Betty Mosion Anne Lazear on becoming a great grandmother by Phyllis & Alan Rackow Rabbi David & Rachel Lewin on the birth of your son Yosef Chaim Lewin by Peggy Kleinplatz Tema Lewin on the birth of your great-grandson Yosef Chaim Lewin by Peggy Kleinplatz Mary McCulloch on your special birthday by Alan & Margo Blostein Harvey Morin on your special birthday by Sheela and Sy Morin Terry Richmond with birthday wishes by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky Goldie Rivers on your special birthday by Gail & Stephen Victor Linda Roth on your special birthday by Marcia & Barry Cantor Gavriel & Tamara Scarowsky on Daniel Meir’s briss by Esti & Shimon Fogel Marion Silver with birthday wishes by Faith Silver, by Roslyn Wollock, by Maria Moshonas, by Janice Fine, by Felice & Jeffrey Pleet Elaine Singer on becoming a great grandmother by Phyllis & Alan Rackow Sally Taller on your special birthday by Margo, David, Aaron & Gail Kardish Temple Israel Religious School Students for fundraising efforts for the Israel Fire Relief Fund by Rabbi Garten Barry Walfish & Adele Reinhartz on the birth of your granddaughter by Peter & Minda Wershof Irene Williams on your special birthday by Fern Goldman, Arielle & Elie Sheldon Wiseman on your special birthday by Laraine & Victor Kaminsky, by Alyce & Allan Baker
Ellen Zweibel & Peter Showler on the marriage of Adrienne Showler to Jack Morgan by Margo, Alan, Scott, Matt & Amy Blostein Mazal Tov To: Paul & Suzanne Bregman on the birth of your grandson by Diane Koven, Jeremy & Zahava Donna & Bernie Dolansky on Gillian’s engagement to Neil by Mera & Bill Goldstein Arlene & Norman Glube on the birth of your grandson by Susan & Charlie Schwartzman, by Mera & Bill Goldstein Ethan Goldberg on your special birthday by Mera & Bill Goldstein Martin Gordon on your 60th birthday by Myrna & Norman Barwin, by Rochelle & Brian Pearl, by Susan & Charlie Schwartzman Beverley Gorenstein on the birth of your grandsons by Annette Albert Carol Greenberg on Elizabeth’s Bat Mitzvah by Miriam, Mario, Sam, Madeleine & Isabelle Burke Rhona Harrow on Andy’s engagement to Hayley by Beverley & Abe Feinstein Heather Hochman on the birth of your granddaughter by Marcia Cantor Langner/Davies Family on the birth of daughter, niece & granddaughter by Diane, Jeremy & Zahava Sid & Cally Kardash on the Bar Mitzvah of your grandson Jeremy by Esther Kwavnick, Sheila Baslaw, Toby Nathanson & Sylvia Monson Sam Kleinplatz on the birth of your grandchildren by Peggy Kleinplatz Elliott Melamed on your 50th birthday by Joy & Eric Weisbloom Pascoe-Briggs Family on Lily’s engagement to Tyler, by Diane Koven, Jeremy & Zahava Hilda Raby on your special birthday by Ed & Janice Fine Margo & Frank Rosen on the birth of your grandsons by Rochelle & Brian Pearl, by Rochelle & David Greenberg Natalie Rosen & Matt Schnurr on the birth of your son by Rabbi Garten and Temple Israel Dani & Avi Ross on the birth of your daughter by Marcia & Barry Cantor Rabbi Zischa & Lauren Shaps on the engagement of Hillel to Naomi by Cheryl Kardish-Levitan & Brian Levitan Debbie, Jeff & Eli Sharf on the birth of Sarah by Marcia Cantor Glora & Bill Silverman on the Bar Mitzvah of your grandson Matthew by Mera & Bill Goldstein Helen & Sol Silverman on your 65th anniversary by Marilyn & David Binder Irving & Leona Simon on your 50th wedding anniversary by Joy & Eric Weisbloom Norman & Sandra Slover on the engagement of David & Adrienne by Elaine & George Citrome Dr. Andrea Stevens on your new dental practice by Cheryl Kardish-Levitan & Brian Levitan Ruth & Joe Viner on your 60th wedding anniversary by Gail & Stephen Victor, by Lee Allen Aaron & Jackie Walsh on the birth of your daughter by Rabbi Garten Jason Wechsler on your Bar Mitzvah by Karen, Shawn, Maddie & Bailey Wolfish Jesse Wolfsohn on your Bar Mitzvah by Cheryl KardishLevitan & Brian Levitan
Tree purchases are $18 and are fully tax receiptable. JNF thanks you for your generous contributions. Please accept our apologies if we misspelled or omitted anyone’s name or contribution.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 17
Passover feature
Relearning and rethinking the Passover saga By Rabbi Arthur Waskow and Rabbi Phyllis Berman (JTA) – If a pharaoh fell in the Red Sea, but nobody told the story, did it actually happen? No. If no pharaoh fell in the Red Sea, but we told the story for 3,000 years, did it actually happen? Yes. Is it still happening? Yes. To people brought up in the modern mode of focusing on cold, hard facts, these responses may seem ridiculous. Either something happened or it didn’t. Suppose, however, that we can find no evidence beyond the Bible that our ancient stories of Exodus and wandering in the wilderness actually happened the way we have learned them? Should we throw them out? Or, is there some profound value for our generation in retelling the story of Exodus, of Sinai, and of Wilderness? We concluded that there is indeed deep wisdom in reframing and retelling the story, and that is why we wrote Freedom Journeys, paying especially close attention to the transformative roles of women and of ecological upheavals that have often been downplayed in previous tellings of the Exodus story. Modern historians and archeologists have found little evidence outside the biblical text that the Exodus ever
happened; yet the story lives, more powerful than its factuality, because it speaks to deep strands of arrogance, fear, despair and courage in the human process. Far beyond the Jewish community, it has influenced not only the religious traditions of Christianity and Islam, but also the life of black America and many modern secular liberation movements rooted in class, nation, culture and gender. It has even influenced efforts to free and heal the Earth from destructive exploitation. The pharaoh motif invoked in news coverage of the recent Egyptian upheaval that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak was due certainly not only to geographic accident, but also to the nature of tyranny and popular resistance. And the issues are not only macro-political, but apply also to the spiritual and psychological struggles of individual human beings confronting their own internal pharaohs, when one aspect of the self takes over the whole person, twisting and perverting a person’s humanity by turning other facets of the self into slaves that yearn for freedom and full integration. As T. S. Eliot wrote, “April is the cruelest month, mixing memory with desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.�
“Mixing memory with desire�: weaving together our memory of the past with our hope for the future, a profound description of the intertwining of Exodus with Passover, Passover with Palm Sunday, Moses with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “Mixing memory with desire� is what the biblical account of Exodus does by weaving together the description of the Exodus itself as a moment in the utter present – hope and desire turned into action – with detailed instructions of how to celebrate that transformative moment, remembering it through festivals far into the future. Looking at the world today, we see the whole human race, the whole planet in a crisis that reminds us of the archetypal tale of Pharaoh and the Ten Plagues, which were ecological disasters brought on by Pharaoh’s arrogance, stubbornness and brutality. Today it is the arrogance of some powerful human institutions that an overwhelming majority of the world’s climatologists, oceanographers and epidemiologists say is leading to the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere heating up in a way that is already disrupting climate patterns and is likely to bring about radical changes in polar and high-mountain ice, ocean levels, droughts, crops and dis-
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tribution of disease. These predictions warn of huge movements of new kinds of refugees, deepening the gulf between the extremely rich and the desperately poor, and could lead to the widespread collapse of many governments. In short, to what the Torah calls “plagues.� But the echo of the Exodus story does not stop there. The ancient story sows the seeds of hope, too. A new community was born at Sinai and tested in many experiments during the trek in Wilderness. Today we are seeing the seeds sown for new forms of grassroots community that curve across our globe. So, we believe that, whether the story of Pharaoh, the Exodus and the Wilderness actually happened or not, our present situation calls us to relearn and rethink the story. It calls upon us to learn in order to act. Rabbis Arthur Waskow and Phyllis Berman are the authors of Freedom Journeys (Jewish Lights Publishing).
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Page 18 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Beth Shalom to screen movies with Jewish themes By Cantor Daniel Benlolo Congregation Beth Shalom Most of us go to the movies to be entertained. Films allow us to shut out the outside world, shelve our lives for a couple of hours and embrace the lives and stories of the people we are watching. Watching a movie can be thought provoking as it entertains us. It can be stimulating, creating reactions and leading us to ask questions. There are some great movies that feature elements of Jewish life or history – from fighting persecution to kvetching about everything and anything. As part of our adult education programming, Congregation Beth Shalom is presenting Judaism through Art, a series of films with Jewish themes. The first presentation will be a screening of Loving Leah on Sunday, April 10, 3:00 pm at Congregation Beth Shalom, 151 Chapel Street. A discussion period will follow the movie and there will be kosher popcorn. As noted by Jason Buchanan at allmovie.com: “When successful, 30-year-old surgeon Jake Lever (Adam Kaufman) learns that his estranged older brother Benjamin
Leah (Lauren Ambrose) and Jake (Adam Kaufman) in a scene from Loving Leah.
has died … the still-single Jake is asked to honour an ancient Levi-
rate marriage law,” mandated by the Torah and known in as yib-
bum. As explained in the Wikipedia
article on Levirate marriage, yibbum “obliges a brother to marry the widow of his childless deceased brother, with the firstborn child being treated as that of the deceased brother … There is another provision, known as halizah, which explains that if a man refuses to carry out this ‘duty’ the woman must spit in his face, take one of his shoes, and be known as ‘the one without a shoe.’ … Later authorities in Jewish law (Talmudic period) strongly discouraged yibbum in favor of halizah.” When Jake is asked, as Buchanan notes, “to marry the childless Leah (Lauren Ambrose) in order to carry on his brother’s name or reject Benjamin’s existence entirely, he finds the latter prospect unthinkable … [Jake] suggests to Leah that they marry in accordance to Levirate law and secretly maintain a plutonic relationship. Leah accepts. “But love works in mysterious ways and over time, Jake and Leah’s affections for one another blossom into true love.” For more information on this and upcoming screenings, call Congregation Beth Shalom at 613-789-3501.
B”H
JEWISH YOUTH LIBRARY An Affiliate of the Chabad Lubavitch Movement The Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa is proud to announce a grant from Citizenship and Immigration Canada to commemorate the M.S. St. Louis. The Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1983 in order to promote education and literacy in the Capital region. We strive to enhance the quality of life amongst all segments of the community and to eliminate exclusion by promoting inclusion.
CALL FOR PROPOSAL Position to start immediately through July 2011
Author • Write a children's book from the eyes of a child on the M.S. St. Louis ship • Audience is 6-10 year olds • Length of book is approximately 28 full-colour pages • Writer would create concept and work with Illustrator to execute the book
Artist • Engage children, youth and adults through a long-term, permanent exhibit on the M.S. St. Louis incident at the Jewish Youth Library • Form is a mixed-media sculptural mosaic mural • Must have English, Hebrew and Yiddish components • Will incorporate the perspective from community members with personal testimony • Artist would create concept, execute, purchase all materials, frame and mount the mural on site • Size of exhibit is approximately 6’ x 6’
Please send proposals to Erica Phillips-Posner no later than April 18, 2011 Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa, 192 Switzer Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7H9 (613) 729-1619 • ms.stlouiscom@yahoo.ca
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 19
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Page 20 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Ottawa Chevra Kadisha seeks new members By Sam Ages Ottawa Chevra Kadisha The Ottawa Chevra Kadisha, a volunteer organization that provides traditional burial services for the Ottawa Jewish community, is looking for new members. Since
1918, the Ottawa Chevra Kadisha has continued Old World traditions in preparing and burying the dead, according to Ashkenazic Jewish halachah (law) and minhag (custom). The Ottawa Chevra Kadisha
currently has about 45 members, men and women, old and young. We are a co-operative that provides our service to all Jews regardless of background or affiliation. Our members come from across the community and all walks of life.
SJCC Board at Annual General Meeting Members of the Soloway Jewish Community Centre Board of Directors at the SJCC AGM, March 3: (from left to right) Larry Hasson, Jackie Luffman-Lyman, Sarah Lipski, Mitchell Miller (1st vicechair), Bob Wener (chair), Barry Sohn (president and COO), Sabina Wasserlauf, Mira Sucharov (2nd vice-chair), Arnie Vered (immediate past-chair), Allan Shefrin, David Spring (past chair), Jodie (Photo: Peter Waiser) Gencher (executive assistant to Barry Sohn).
Their voluntary participation is a mitzvah traditionally referred to as khesed shel emet (a true act of loving kindness). The Chevra Kadisha needs new members so we can continue to perform our vital work for the community. Why would anyone wish to join the Chevra Kadisha? Is it not emotionally or physically difficult to deal with the dead? For many people, the answer is no. And there are strong reasons why, if one can, one should become a member. From a social perspective, if the Jewish community is to continue to ensure proper Jewish funerals and burial in the time-honoured manner, a community organization dedicated to that purpose must carry on the tradition. From a personal perspective, it is, in many ways, a privilege and an honour to be part of this ritual process, taking responsibility as a mature and caring member of the community. There are also times when members of the Chevra Kadisha perform their function for friends or people whom they knew in everyday life. This last loving service can add extra personal meaning to the mitzvah every member of the Chevra
Kadisha performs for his or her fellow Jews. What does the Chevra Kadisha do? Our central task is to perform the tahara (purification). This consists of ritually washing the body, dressing it in white cotton garments called takhrikhim, and placing it in a coffin ready for burial. Only men attend men, and only women attend women. Women of the Chevra Kadisha get together one evening a month and sew the takhrikhim that will be used for all. Men from the Chevra Kadisha accompany all coffins to the cemetery and take part in the interment. The Chevra Kadisha oversees other traditional aspects of the funeral process and, with the presiding rabbi, we ensure the appropriate laws and local customs are followed. For instance, the Chevra Kadisha can help arrange for one or more shomrim (guardians) to stay with the body at the funeral chapel until the burial. The Ottawa Chevra Kadisha welcomes inquiries from anyone in the Jewish community interested in joining. For information on how to become a member, please call me at 613-728-5701.
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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 21
PJ Library has arrived in Ottawa By Benita Siemiatycki Ottawa PJ Library Co-ordinator After months of anticipation, the PJ Library program was launched in Ottawa last month. Parents of young children – aged six months to five-and-a-half years – can now register their them to receive an illustrated, high-quality children’s book each month. The books are selected by a panel of children’s literary experts and early childhood educators, and are chosen for what they convey: Jewish values, rituals, traditions, holidays and Shabbat. PJ Library – PJ is for pajamas – is the brainchild of American philanthropist Harold Grinspoon, who started the program five years ago as a means to combat what he saw as a decline in synagogue membership, increasing rates of intermarriage, and reduced participation in Jewish life. From its early days when just 200 books were mailed to families in Western Massachusetts, PJ has grown to 140 communities across North America. Ottawa is the sixth Canadian city to jump on board, and another two dozen communities are planning for its implementation. The success of PJ Library is measured in the number of books it sends out – 70,000 per month! By providing books for parents and children to read together, PJ Library is the spark that ignites Jewish discussion in the home. The goal is to nurture and heighten the sense of Jewish identity and, hopefully, encourage
Jewish practices in the home. An added benefit is to instil a love of reading in young children. “PJ Library is an engagement program. It is a tool for communities to use to reach out and engage the unaffiliated and uninvolved,” explained Paul Lewis, director of community development for PJ Library, during a visit to Ottawa in October. To be eligible, families must reside in Ottawa, Gatineau, or surrounding communities, at least one parent should be Jewish and have the desire to raise their children Jewishly; and the children must be between six months and five-and-a-half years at the time of registration. Parents can register more than one child in a family. With no cost to participate, this program is open to everyone, regardless of income, level of observance, synagogue membership or affiliation. Each month, the child will receive an ageappropriate book in the mail (a music CD is substituted in December), addressed directly to him or her. The youngest group receives simple word and picture board books, progressing through the years to more sophisticated storybooks. That will continue until the child reaches age six, moves out of the area, or if the parents cancel the subscription. The families keep the books to build their own Jewish library. “From the time we heard about PJ Library, we knew this was something we had to bring to Ottawa,” said Mitchell Bellman, president
and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. “We strongly encourage all Jewish parents with pre-school children to register. Our hope is that, through PJ, we will reach a group of families who were unknown to us, and, more importantly, the stories will resonate by bringing a taste of Judaism into their homes. The Federation is very grateful to the group of women who made this program possible in Ottawa through their generous donations. PJ Library will make a lasting impression on our youngest generation.” The registration process is simple. Visit jewishottawa.com, and click on the PJ Library link. The website provides a wide range of information on the PJ Library program, as well as information on other resources available to families. Registration is done online, or can be mailed in on a designated registration card. For the first year, 300 spots are available to area children. Should the interest exceed that, a waiting list will be created. In addition to receiving books, PJ Library families will be invited to regular reading events where they will have the opportunity to meet other families, have fun and learn together. PJ Library is made possible through a partnership between the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and a local group of women donors who contributed generously to make this initiative a reality. For more information, contact me at 613798-4644 or pjlibrary@jewishottawa.com.
A young PJ Library participant opens her monthly book mailing and finds What I Like About Passover.
Page 22 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Ottawa celebrates Purim
(More photos on page 39)
Friendship Circle Rosie the Caricaturist drew funny portraits at the Friendship Circle’s Purim party.
Creative Connections AJA 50+ Edward Susser spins his gragger during the Megillah reading at the AJA 50+ Creative Connections Purim party.
Or Haneshamah Jacki Langsner (in the green wig) leads the OrH Band in a sing-along on “HaKova Sheli” at the Or Haneshamah Purim party.
Tamir
Star of David Hebrew School
Tamir participants, seen here with Cantor Daniel Benlolo and Rabbi Scott Rosenberg, celebrated Purim at Congregation Beth Shalom.
Students prepared Mishloach Manot for their parents and grandparents and held a Purim carnival at Star of David Hebrew School.
Adath Shalom:
Members of Congregation Adath Shalom gather in costume for the shul’s Purim celebration.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 23
Visit our web site: www.hillellodge.ca
LL
ife at the odge
Kimmel family to be honoured at Annual General Meeting Morris Kimmel, who has spent a lifetime contributing to the welfare of Ottawa’s Jewish community in so many worthwhile and important ways, has donated a new Yahrzeit Board to Hillel Lodge in memory of his beloved wife, Lillian. Lillian, of blessed memory, was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was also a staunch supporter of Hillel Lodge. Her dedicated service to the Lodge began in the mid-1980s with the Auxiliary and, from there, she joined the Board. She became President in 1989 and, for the next two years, performed her duties in an exceptional fashion. “Lillian was naturally intuitive on how to get along with people,” says Executive Director Stephen Schneiderman. “She gave everybody the op-
Morris and Lillian Kimmel
portunity to voice their opinion, while ensuring that our Board meetings ran efficiently and effectively. We’ve had many first-class people heading our Board, and it’s therefore the highest compliment to Lillian when I tell you that she ran the best Board meetings that I
have ever attended, anywhere.” One of Lillian’s most important contributions to Hillel Lodge was getting Morris involved, first as a synagogue representative (from the Young Israel of Ottawa, where he served as President) and then as a Board member before he too
Meet our award recipients
became President. Over the past several years, Morris made a significant financial contribution to help coat the Lodge’s windows. The coating reduces glare and heat, serving to improve resident comfort. Some windows also have a second type of coating, making them virtually shatterproof, thereby increasing building security. “These enhancements are so characteristic of Morris,” explains Stephen Schneiderman, “because they were done in a low-key way for very practical reasons – not at all for show.” The new Yahrzeit Board is on the wall leading to the Lodge’s chapel, and will be formally dedicated during Hillel Lodge’s 56th Annual General Meeting on May 24th, 2011. The Yahrzeit Board is for the use of the entire community, and the cost of an individual plaque is $500. For information, please contact Bev Glube at 613728-3900, extension 111. On behalf of its residents, families, members, Hillel Lodge Long Term Care Foundation and the Ottawa Jewish Community, the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge, Joseph and Inez Zelikovitiz Long Term Care Centre would like to express its appreciation to Morris Kimmel and his family for their ongoing commitment and generosity.
NEW! Sylvia and Michael Caplan, the Thelma Steinman Direct Service Award.
Maureen Molot, the Shalom Perel President's Award of Merit
Make donations online at www.hillellodge.ca
If you want to make a difference in people’s lives (including your own), give volunteering at Hillel Lodge a try. The time commitment can range from a few hours per month to regular weekly or bi-weekly visits. To become a volunteer, please contact Marilyn Adler, our Manager of Recreation and Volunteer Programs.
Hillel Lodge is proud of the quality care we provide to our residents. To make a donation, please contact the Long-Term Care Foundation at (613) 728-3900 extension 111 or e-mail us at donations@hillel-ltc.com.
Page 24 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
In support of the Bess and Moe Greenberg Family Hillel Lodge In the Joseph and Inez Zelikovitz Long Term Care Centre Card Donations Card donations go a long way to improving the quality of life for our residents. Thank you for considering their needs and contributing to their wellbeing. On behalf of the residents and their families, we extend sincere appreciation to the following individuals and families who made card donations to the Hillel Lodge Long-Term Care Foundation between March 2 and 23, 2011 inclusive.
HONOUR FUNDS Unlike a bequest or gift of life insurance, which are realized some time in the future, a named Honour Fund (i.e., endowment fund) is established during your lifetime. By making a contribution of $1,000 or more, you can create a permanent remembrance for a loved one, honour a family member, declare what the Lodge has meant to you and/or support a cause that you believe in. A Hillel Lodge Honour Fund is a permanent pool of capital that earns interest or income each year. This income then supports the priorities designated by you, the donor. Bill and Leona Adler Memorial Fund In Memory of: Helen Rovt by Marilyn Adler Doris Edelstein by Marilyn Adler Molly Phomin by Marilyn Adler and Neil Blacher Samuel and Jean Akerman Memorial Fund In Honour of: Monica and Alvin Stein Happy anniversary and many more with love by Sheila and Larry Hartman Auxiliary of Hillel Lodge Fund In Memory of: Bessie Taller by Maggie and Ian Rubin Akiva Kriger by Carolyn and Sid Katz Edith Appotive by Carolyn and Sid Katz Jenny and Murray Citron Endowment Fund In Memory of: Akiva Kriger by Murray Citron Abe and Bea Dubinsky Endowment Fund In Observance of the Yahrzeit: Abe Dubinsky a beloved husband by Bea Dubinsky Friedberg and Dale Families Fund In Honour of: Susan Heisel and family Mazal tov on Jon’s engagement to Shoshana Tabekman by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Rabbi Zischa and Lauren Shaps Mazal tov on Eliasheva’s engagement to Nossie Burger by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Shirley and Hymie Schildkraut Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale
In Memory of: Mordecai Beer Lipszyc by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale R’fuah Shlema: Leonard Kerzner by Elaine Friedberg and Bob Dale Joseph Ginsberg Family Endowment Fund In Memory of: Joseph Ginsberg by Lynn Greenblatt Malcolm and Vera Glube Endowment Fund In Memory of: Zelda Kaminsky by Malcolm and Vera Glube In Honour of: Bob Zelden Best wishes on your special birthday by Malcolm and Vera Glube Evelyn and Howard Silverman Mazal tov on your son Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah by Malcolm and Vera Glube Flora and Bill Silverman Mazal tov on your grandson Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah by Malcolm and Vera Glube Morris and Lillian Kimmel Family Fund In Honour of: Zena Lieff and David Lieff Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter with love by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman Susan Heisel Mazal tov on the engagement of your son Jonathan by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman The Shaps Family Mazal tov on Eliasheva’s engagement by Steve, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman The Sher Family Mazal tov on the birth of your daughter and granddaughter by Steve, Janet, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Moshe Feig by Janet, Steve, Tobin and Aaron Kaiman In Memory of: Feigel Rosenberg by Brenda, Morris, Janet and Steve Kimmel-Levine Joan and Russell Kronick Family Fund In Memory of: Zelda Kaminsky by Joanie and Russell Kronick In Honour of: Steven Levinson on his special birthday by Joanie and Russell Kronick Irma and Harold Sachs Family Fund In Memory of: Doris Edelstein by Irma Sachs In Honour of: Irma Sachs on your very special birthday. Our very best wishes for a happy and healthy year by Dee and Yale Gaffen Stephen and Debra Schneiderman Family Fund In Memory of: Marvin Jason by Bunny Cogan Label and Leona Silver Family Fund In Memory of: Edith Appotive by Label and Leona Silver Akiva Kriger by Label and Leona Silver Ralph and Anne Sternberg Memorial Fund In Honour of: Harvey Slipacoff Mazal tov on your victory and return
to excellent health with love by Laya and Ted Jacobsen Ted Jacobsen Happy birthday by Anna-Lee Chiprout; by Carolyn and Sid Katz; by Franceen Shier; Natalie and Tom Gussman; by HRH and Judith Slipacoff; by Marion and Bert Phillips; and by Bill and Shari Saunders Get Well: Ian Nunn with love by Laya and Ted Jacobsen In Observance of the Yahrzeit of: Anne Sternberg a beloved grandmother by Stephanie Dancey Sarah and Arnie Swedler Family Fund In Memory of: Akiva Kriger by Arnie Swedler and Rhoda Zaitlin Roslyn and Myles Taller Family Endowment Fund In Memory of: Doris Edelstein by Roz, Myles Taller and family Mother of Howard Nathan by Rozzy Taller and family R’fuah shlema: Rose Erhlich by Rozzy Taller and family Louis and Diane Tannenbaum Family Fund In Honour of: Sammy Ditkofsky Best wishes on your 90th birthday with love by Lou and Diane Tannenbaum and all the children Milton and Mary (Terry) Viner Family Fund In Memory of: Ed Landis by Millie Schaenfield and family Edith Appotive by Millie, Fran and Stephen Schaenfield Eric Weiner and Arlene Godfrey Family Fund In Memory of: Edith Appotive by Carol and Larry Gradus; and by Arlene Godfrey, Eric, Melissa and Laura Weiner Doris Edelstein by Miriam and Louis Weiner Carole and Norman Zagerman Family Fund In Memory of: Ed Landis by Carole and Norman Zagerman Myer Goldin by Carole and Norman Zagerman Doris Edelstein by Carole and Norman Zagerman R’fuah Shlema: Joan Bloom by Carole and Norman Zagerman Harvey Slipacoff Carole and Norman Zagerman Arnell Goldberg Carole and Norman Zagerman Kaysa Friedman Carole and Norman Zagerman Dr. Bill Goldstein Carole and Norman Zagerman and Andrea Aaron
Therapeutic Fund In Honour of: Ron Brewer Happy 50th birthday with love by Sally Matook ********** IN HONOUR OF: Norma Lazear Wishing you a hearty Mazal tov on your special birthday by Claire and Irving Bercovitch Sally Taller Happy birthday by Lynn and Brian Keller; and by Roz and Steve Fremeth Norman and Evelyn Potechin Mazal tov on your big anniversary by Roz and Steve Fremeth Victor and Laraine Kaminsky Mazal tov on the birth of your grandson Bryce and in memory of Zelda Kaminsky by Roz and Steve Fremeth Charna and Joe Mittelman Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter Paighton by Roz and Steve Fremeth Elissa and Avi Iny Mazal tov on the birth of your grandchild by Roz and Steve Fremeth Naomi Cracower Mazal tov on your 65th birthday by Roz and Steve Fremeth Noreen Bosloy Best wishes on your special birthday by Vera and George Gara IN MEMORY OF: John Holley by Herb and Lillian Laks Akiva Kriger by Linda and Rafael Charyk and family; by Ingrid Levitz; by Bayla and Hans Adler; by Claire and Irving Bercovitch; and by Howard and Barbara Geller Mavis Dover by Pinchas and Barbara Pleet Mother of Bonnie Wolman by Evelyn and Howard Silverman and family Brother of Marilyn Arkin by Annette Millstone Fred Schultz by Annette Millstone Mary Rothman by Uncle Kevin and Aunt Rose Kardash; and by Bubby Doris Edelstein by the LTC Foundation, Residents, Board and Staff of Hillel Lodge; by Joanne and John Ahearn; by Francis Gorbet; by Barry and Lynn Cutler; by Jerome and Margie Shore; by Zelda Leibovitch; by Irving Feldman and SF Partnership, LLP.; by Dorothy Leibovitch and Sylvia Mendell; by Stephen and Janet Wasserman and Ron and Cheryl Medoff; by Gerry and Morrie Krantzberg; by Nancy Dupuis; by Brian and Valerie Whitefield; and by Bobby and Ellen Eisenberg IN OBSERVANCE OF THE YAHRZEIT OF: Moshe Feig by Zahava and Barry Farber and family Gordon Viner a beloved husband, loving father and devoted zaida by Suzan, Lindy and Kiera Viner-Warkentin
Feeding Fund In Honour of: Roz and Steve Fremeth Mazal tov on the engagement of your son Howard to Melanie by Ingrid Levitz Valerie and Gaby Terkel Mazal tov on the birth of your granddaughter Ruby Liora by Mara and Isaac Muzikansky Rabbi Howard and Rivka Finkelstein Thank you for making the wonderful sheva bracha for our family by Harold and Lisa Sandell and Eli and Rochel Yehudis Sandell In Memory of: Akiva Kriger by Mara and Isaac Muzikansky and family Doris Edelstein by Harold and Lisa Sandell; by Carol and Larry Gradus; by Ingrid Levitz; by Bonnie and Chuck Merovitz and family; and by Elli and Irwin Horner and family Murray Goldenblatt by Anne and David Garmaise Molly Phomin by Paula and Manny Agulnik R’fuah Shlema: Bruce Weiner with love by Carol and Larry Gradus
Attention OJCF Fund Holders
Recreation Fund In Honour of: Malca Feig Best wishes for a happy, healthy birthday with love by Sally Matook
The Residents, their Families, Board and Staff
Thank you to the Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation Fund Holders who directed the proceeds derived from their Funds to the Lodge. These contributions assist in providing the quality of care at the Home that our residents deserve and our Community expects.
THE LODGE EXPRESSES ITS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT AND APOLOGIZES FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. DUE TO SPACE LIMITATIONS, THE WORDING APPEARING IN THE BULLETIN IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORDING WHICH APPEARED ON THE CARD. GIVING IS RECEIVING – ATTRACTIVE CARDS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS Here’s a good opportunity to recognize an event or convey the appropriate sentiment to someone important to you and at the same time support the Lodge. Card orders may be given to Bev at 613-728-3900, extension 111, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Friday. You may also e-mail your orders to donations@hillel-ltc.com. E-mail orders must include name, address, postal code, and any message to person receiving the card; and, amount of donation, name, address and postal code of the person making the donation. Cards may be paid for by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cheque or Cash. Contributions are tax deductible.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 25
Passover feature
A few new Passover haggadahs, and a facelift for an old favourite By Sue Fishkoff (JTA) – Nearing its 80th birthday, perhaps it was time the most printed Passover haggadah in history had a major facelift. The Maxwell House Passover Haggadah, which has had more than 50 million copies published, hits the shelves – and supermarkets – this spring featuring its first new English translation since 1934, the year it was originally printed. Banished are the awkward “thee” and “thou,” replaced by the more conversational “you.” The Eternal One no longer “deliverith” but “delivers,” and seder participants are not invited to “eat thereof” but simply to eat. While North American Jews of the early 20th century might have accepted the original, archaic language, “it makes the Haggadah more clumsy for contemporary readers,” said Elie Rosenfeld, CEO of Joseph Jacobs Advertising. The firm has represented Maxwell House from the beginning and spearheaded the new
translation, which took nearly a year to complete. “We wanted to make sure everyone who uses it feels comfortable with it,” Rosenfeld said. That meant political as well as linguistic changes. The Higher Power in this Haggadah isn’t a He, Lord or King, but is referred to by the gender-neutral monikers God, the Eternal and Monarch of the Universe. The impetus for the new translation was not to address gender issues, but to retell the old tale in contemporary language. Still, using genderneutral language for God is indicated by modern theological understanding, Rosenfeld says. “The fact of the matter is, God doesn’t have a gender,” he said. The original Maxwell House Haggadah was created as a marketing tool to promote the company’s coffee, which was certified kosher in 1923. There had been controversy for years over whether coffee beans were legumes, and thus forbidden for
From left to right, the changing look of the Maxwell House Passover Haggadah: the original from 1934, the most recent photo collage and the newest version out this spring. (Courtesy Joseph Jacobs Advertising)
Passover according to Ashkenazic norms, or whether they were in fact a berry – a fruit – and therefore permitted. Marketing whiz Joseph Jacobs, founder of the ad agency, got Orthodox Rabbi Hersch Kohn to certify the coffee kosher for Passover. The publication 11 years later of the eponymous hag-
gadah, still distributed free in supermarkets with the purchase of the coffee, cemented the dominance of Maxwell House and its haggadah at
American seder tables ever since. Over the years, the cover design has changed, from the original bronze through vari-
ous blue-and-white versions to this newest iteration, which features a Yemenitestyle silver kiddush cup. (Continued on page 26)
Page 26 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
The Szyk Haggadah features magnificent illustrations (Continued from page 25)
The inside illustrations are more subtly rendered than in previous versions, but have not changed significantly, with one exception: Instead of a young boy, a little girl is pictured asking the Four Questions. And not just any little girl: It’s Rosenfeld’s youngest daughter, sixyear-old Abigael. The text is bigger to make it easier to read, and the layout is easier to navigate. But the story stays the same. “The Jews don’t end up in Boca; they still get to the Promised Land,” Rosenfeld says. Another old-new Passover haggadah out this year is a new edition of the famous Szyk Haggadah featuring the magnificent illustrations of Polish-Jewish artist Arthur Szyk. Set for April publication, it has a newly commissioned English text written by Rabbi Byron Sherwin with Rabbi Irvin Ungar. A refugee from Nazi Europe, Syzk embedded Eastern European Chassidic imagery in his intricate and highly emotional rendition of the Exodus narrative, creating the original version of his hagaddah in the mid-1930s. Jewish survival, which Szyk viewed as the pressing
Arthur Szyk's magnificently illustrated haggadah is being released this spring in its first widely available format since 1940. (Courtesy Abrams)
need of his age, also is the theme of his haggadah: The illustration on page 26, for example, depicts em-
pires that have tried to conquer the Jews, from the Assyrians to the Inquisition to Nazi Germany, with the
two tablets of the Law astride them all, signifying the perseverance, and ultimate triumph, of the Jewish people. “Szyk was an activist artist,” said Rabbi Ungar, a former pulpit rabbi and San Francisco Bay Area resident who is curator of the Arthur Szyk Society. “He believed the Jews of Europe needed to be rescued immediately, and he was going to do whatever he could to motivate the world community to take action.” “A Passover Haggadah: Go Forth and Learn,” by Rabbi David Silber with Rachel Furst, is being put out by the Jewish Publication Society. If the Szyk Haggadah is gorgeous, this new work by Rabbi Silber and Furst is thought provoking, delivering new insights into the seder themes as well as first-rate commentaries on the liturgy. Rabbi Silber is an Orthodox Torah scholar and educator of wide renown, the founder and dean of the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. He has been teaching these lessons for years, and here he puts them down on the page in a manner at once scholarly and accessible.
Furst teaches at Matan, a women’s institute for Torah studies in Israel, and is pursuing a doctorate in medieval Jewish history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. This is a seder to study and discuss, but also to use – with the right crowd. Speaking of the right crowd, kids are the target audience for Passover Haggadah in Another Dimension by Michael Medina, with artwork (sculptures and paintings) by Emi Sfard and photograph by Eli Neeman. Published by Kippod3D, this haggadah boasts 3-D illustrations and comes with a pair of 3-D glasses that make the characters seemingly leap from the pages. Whoa, are those soldiers really drowning in the Red Sea? There’s an English text, some Hebrew and transliterations of the main attractions – the plagues, the blessings, the favourite songs. But this is really all about the images, which might make some adults too queasy to tackle the gefilte fish. It’s a gimmick, but a fun one. Proceeds will be donated to the children of Hayim Association, which raises money for pediatric cancer research in Israel.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 27
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Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 29
‘When the ‘Four Questions’ are recited at the seder, they will be four of many’ With Passover just around the corner, my thoughts are turning to how to make the story of the Exodus come alive for my kids. Typically, one might use clever stories, or dramatic reconstructions with masks and props. But, it’s not so simple in our house because my almost-seven-year-old daughter is a self-declared atheist. My daughter conceives of God as a social construction. She believes that the concept began in ancient times as a rumour, which then took on a life of its own. I enjoy engaging her in discussions about her utterly reasonable convictions. And she knows I read and think a lot about the topic. “Mom, is that another book on Jewish theology?” she teased the other day, glancing at a large tome lying unclaimed on the sofa. It wasn’t, but she knows I try to keep up. But, in relaying the many fantastical elements of the Passover story, I don’t want the description of God raining reptiles down on the Egyptians, or parting the Red Sea for the Israelites, to fall on deaf ears. “It’s just a made up story,” she said today, when I mentioned the bit about the waters splitting. “And, besides,” she added, “there’s no such thing as God.” So, I’m turning for inspiration from a most unlikely source: the memories of a trip I took with my dad to Universal Studios when I was nine. As it happens, one of the highlights of the Hollywood studio tour is connected to the story of the Exodus. With creaky mechanical walls creating a truck-width gap in the lake, riders on the tour tram get to drive right through. They see what
Charlton Heston and his fellow cast members witnessed as they filmed the famous Red Sea scene in The Ten Commandments, Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 epic. Tourists on such tours are there to discover the special effects behind the films. But they also know that glimpsing the tricks of the trade won’t diminish their experiences of the magic of motion pictures. If anything, it will enhance them. Just like tending one’s own garden can inculcate a sublime appreciation for the taste of a fresh carrot, unravelling some of life’s mysteries can make one thirsty to grasp more. There’s another reason why I draw inspiration from that memory of my daughter-father trip to California. I think about what happens when parents take their kids seriously. There is a short animated video circulating online by David Brooks, a New York Times columnist and author of The Social Animal. In the video, Brooks explains that to help your children achieve their potential, threats and bribes are not the way to go. What kids need most is authentic parental connection. Pull your daughter aside and share something about your personal world. Through that seemingly small act, you will help bolster a healthy sense of self, one that can propel her toward a mindful pursuit of her life goals. My dad, a psychiatrist-psychotherapist, would frequently share a bit of his own intellectual or creative life with me. His interests sometimes became mine. Simon & Garfunkel and Neil Diamond records were my childhood soundtrack. Before I discovered the Brat Pack, I embraced cinematic stars like Al Jolson and Maximilian Schell. I was familiar with every pro-
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Summer Intern Ottawa Jewish Bulletin The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, under the auspices of the Barry Fishman Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Scholarship Fund, is seeking a university student with a flair for writing and reporting to work at the Bulletin this summer. Duties will include researching and writing news reports and feature articles on various topics of interest to the Jewish community; proofreading; and some clerical work. To apply, please send a cover letter, résumé, and writing samples, by April 27, to: Michael Regenstreif, Editor Ottawa Jewish Bulletin 21 Nadolny Sachs Private Ottawa, ON K2A 1R9 or via e-mail to mregenstreif@ottawajewishbulletin.com.
Values, Ethics, Community Mira Sucharov gram at my summer camp before I even arrived, thanks to my dad sharing his own Camp Massad memories with me for years prior. And I knew more about Sigmund Freud than most kids my age. Sometimes, I took the information in socially awkward directions, like challenging my Grade 4 classmates to define clinical terms like ‘narcissistic rage.’ But, usually, it meant that I was inspired to think critically about issues, preparing to put my own stamp on the world. In her atheist ways, my daughter is already engaging with the biggest ideas there are. Why are we here, and how did we get here? Attending synagogue and religious school, she hears a lot about God. Though she doesn’t believe in Him, she sometimes spontaneously breaks into the ballad version of “Adon Olam,” Debbie Friedman’s Havdallah prayer, or the “Shema.” And I enthusiastically chime in. My daughter wants to be part of the conversation and I want to be there as her partner in dialogue. Letting our kids in on the secrets of what we most care about sets the stage for helping them engage in our most important collective, foundational narratives. Whether we believe these stories to be literal occurrences, divinely inspired actions, or humanly created tales, they are the lifeblood of the Jewish conversation. It seems, this year, that when the “Four Questions” are recited at the seder, they will be four of many. It won’t be long before I have many questions for her, too. Mira Sucharov, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University, blogs at the Huffington Post.
Page 30 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Book profiles eight synagogues that went from being ‘functional’ to being ‘visionary’ Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues From Functional to Visionary By Isa Aron, Steven M. Cohen, Lawrence A. Hoffman, and Ari Y. Kelman The Alban Institute 282 pages Synagogue life is in transition. Once viewed as an obligation, belonging to a shul is now viewed as much more of a choice. Among those who do belong to synagogues – particularly in non-Orthodox congregations – the vast majority are not necessarily active, drawing on the synagogue and clergy mainly for High Holidays and for life-cycle events. In Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary, four accomplished scholars of American Jewish life set out to profile eight American synagogues (three Conservative and five Reform) that, in their estimation, went from being “functional” to “visionary.” These are synagogues that have become not only congregations, but meaningful communities. The book was a finalist for a 2010 National Jewish Book award. The authors seek answers to the questions, “Given the annual cost, why do so many Jews pay so much but attend so little?” And “How can some congregants describe their synagogue as ‘warm, welcoming, and stimulating,’ while others find it cold, foreboding and uninspiring?” The book covers topics including worship, the nuts and bolts of synagogue life; religious schooling; and social action and social justice. They make clear that, whatever the programs, shuls need to think beyond being “additive” (simply adding program upon program) to being “transformative” (thinking more coherently about community direction). Through interviews with an array of clergy and congregants, the authors present several indicators of success. These include sacred purpose, holistic ethos (including fluid boundaries in and around the community, and having the various parts of the mission – prayer, learning and social action – integrated with one another); participatory culture, meaningful engagement, innovation (including change, risktaking and tolerance for failure); and reflective leadership. An important part of high-functioning institutions is leadership. Certainly whole libraries are dedicated to theories of effective leadership, but the authors point to one aspect in particular: effective clergy hands over leadership opportunities to lay leaders. This helps cultivate a wider cadre of trustees, while enabling congregants to feel a sense of ownership over the final product. It is a difficult balance to strike. Giving lay leaders too much leeway can cause congregants to cast doubt on a rabbi’s effectiveness, while a rabbi who reigns with a strong arm might be viewed as overly controlling. Another key area for growth is worship. There is an interesting and highly readable chapter about how some congregations succeeded in developing parallel prayer services to suit different aesthetic and philosophical tastes within the congregation: more or less English; folk music or traditional tunes; clergy-led or lay-led; performance or participation? These are various dimensions on which congregations are sometimes divided. As one rabbi recalls his congregants saying, “I didn’t like Joan Baez in the 60s, and I like her less in my temple.” But, what struck me from experience is the idea that perhaps thinking of different programs as taking on different hues can satisfy a diverse membership without seeming to divide it. In my own Conservative congregation, for example, I value the traditional Shabbat morning service, including its aesthetic formality. But, at the same time, our shul is in the process of reinvigorating our family programming. We recently had a Havdallah in PJs party where flannel-clad kids
Book Review Mira Sucharov ran through the halls like nighttime sprites, and a guitarist (full disclosure: it was me) played through the bencher book with a sprinkling of Beatles and Joni Mitchell songs. These kinds of strategies can help appeal to wide-ranging tastes over the course of the week or month without forcing tradeoffs during the more entrenched practice of Shabbat morning or Friday night services. The book could devote more attention to issues of values and philosophy in synagogue change. How do synagogue communities negotiate fundamental shifts in ethical prac-
tices? When and how do shuls decide to count women in the minyan, to bless same-sex unions, or to perform intermarriages? Are successful transitions more likely to arise from top-down or bottom-up decision making? And, how do synagogues survive post-transition flight, as members resistant to change sometimes end up voting with their feet? And what about engaging those who see little role for synagogue Judaism in their lives? Can and should synagogues devote resources to this group? This may become all the more critical as the next generation grows up with less of a role for shul – not to mention Judaic literacy – in their lives. One book is hardly enough to do justice to these large and important questions. Sacred Strategies: Transforming Synagogues from Functional to Visionary is an excellent starting point for thinking more systematically about how to engage in meaningful communal growth in any synagogue context. I would urge the authors to contemplate a companion volume.
First we countered Israeli Apartheid week, then we celebrated Purim Reflecting the origins of the Purim holiday, the month of March on campus consisted of condemnation, resistance and success on the part of the Jews, followed by well-deserved celebration. As I reported in the news section of the March 21 issue of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin, Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) took place between March 7 and 11. The same way Haman complained to King Achashverosh about “one nation scattered throughout the kingdom, which is different from all other nations,” IAW singles out Israel for vilification. As part of my reporting on IAW, I attended a Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA) event called Israeli Apartheid 101. I tried to be respectful throughout the event, but I also felt entitled to ask questions to become more and better informed of their point of view. Members of SAIA could tell that I was not on their side. They had probably also seen me tabling for the Israel Awareness Committee earlier that day. I never felt threatened, but I did feel I wasn’t taken seriously or given a fair chance. I was clearly outnumbered, and an SAIA member told me one of my questions was “problematic,” and she didn’t know how to answer it. Another member jumped in to cover for her, but she had let emotional passion overwhelm her chance to explain her cause – something not uncommon in my encounters with SAIA. I could only think of Esther, who refused to remain silent against Haman’s irrational hatred. She was smart and tactical in her response to Haman, taking on the role of queen and eventually revealing her wish for the protection of her people. The Israel Awareness Committee behaved in a similar and equally commendable fashion. They worked hard to counter IAW’s unfounded claims with facts and reason – the students of Ottawa’s universities recognized this. Yes, someone told me that Starbucks was a Zionist conspiracy and I heard Palestinian students cry and yell at Israel Awareness Committee members, but there are fair claims to be made on both sides of the conflict, and there are many people on both sides who are set in their ways.
Campus Life Ilana Belfer Neutral students are the most important to reach, and, from what I witnessed, the Israel Awareness Committee opened the eyes of many such students, levelling out the vibe on campus. I’m not trying to compare the IAW organizers to Haman – Haman wanted to see the annihilation of the Jewish people – and all of the IAW supporters are certainly not antiSemitic. But, even if they don’t realize it, through IAW, they are pushing for the annihilation of Israel as a Jewish state – I heard SAIA condemn the “pledging allegiance to a Jewish state” when becoming an Israeli citizen. Keeping the campuses balanced during IAW was a victory for the Israel Awareness Committee, which took a week that spreads negative misconceptions and connotations about Israel and hung it – like Haman was hung. This achievement deserved to be celebrated in a similar fashion. On the Friday evening of IAW, Hillel Ottawa put on a Shabbat dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom – a delicious and relaxing breath of fresh air for Jewish students on campus. The following weekend, Hillel Ottawa celebrated Purim with a Saturday night house party and keggar attended by hundreds of students. Then, on Sunday, Chabad Student Network held its Purim in the Jungle: Feast and Festival. With a festive meal, costumes, mishloach manot, drinking until we could not tell the difference between Mordechai and Haman, and, of course, the reading of the Megillah, Jewish students on campus celebrated the victories of both the past and the present.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 31
openOttawa symposium:
Fresh ideas to inspire new initiatives When you read this column, the openOttawa symposium on April 3 will have just taken place. As this issue of the Ottawa Jewish Bulletin went to press before the symposium, coverage of the event will be in the news section of the April 25 Bulletin. As I write (in March), I’m looking forward to this important symposium, where I’m expecting to hear fresh ideas that will inspire new initiatives. Indeed, it is my hope that these new initiatives will include events that develop community networking; business and leadership skills, from art and cooking classes to sports and more social nights in interesting locations; and large scale tikkun olam/social justice projects. Obviously, not all of the ideas will work, but I am hoping we now have appealing ways in which people can be engaged to commit to attending these events. Unfortunately, by looking at the complete scope of things offered in the community, you see that most events and classes being offered appeal to opposite ends of the age spectrum. There are lots of things going on for older adults and lots for children, but there is precious little for young adults. I certainly understand how difficult it is for organizations to plan events and have few young adults show up. Now is the time to address why some events fail and why some succeed. One thing I think is very necessary is for a strong system of communication to be developed between the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and the young adult community. Surprisingly, I only found out about some of the events scheduled for young adults through word-of-mouth from people I know. I often wonder how those who are less-affiliated would ever find out about them. If there were a centralized website or weekly e-mail blast showcasing events that are focused on young adults, it would keep us better informed and help increase the number of attendees. Events I’ll start with some good news about a recent successful event. The well-attended jnet Ottawa Gala on December 16 raised $1,000 for Tamir. Congratulations to all involved! Also, you may remember that, a few issues ago, I mentioned my wish that someone would get a bus of Ottawa young Jewish adults out to an event in Montreal. Well, to my complete surprise, it’s actually happening! The swanky, third annual Montreal CJPAC (Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee) Action Party is scheduled for Thursday, May 12 at Complexe Dompark, Suite 110. The party will bring hundreds of young professionals together with politicians from all levels of government to celebrate political engagement. This time, they’re making it easy for us Ottawans to go by providing a bus for transportation there and back the same evening. The cover charge, including transportation, is $60, and includes an open bar, DJ, kosher appetizers and desserts. For more information, visit cjpac.ca/action or call 1866-929-9552, extension 221. Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance. Hey, can I wish for a bus trip to New York next? JET will be hosting a Young Professionals Shabbat Dinner on Friday, May 6, 7:00 pm, at 302 Fifth Avenue. RSVP by e-mail to Rabbi Michael Goldstein at michaelgoldstein@hotmail.com. Montreal will be taking the lead again, and bringing Jewish identity exploration to a new and different level, with its one-day Le Mood festival, on Sunday, June 5. The festival will be include a variety of offerings in-
cluding music, movies, food, yoga, art, panel discussions and spirituality, with sessions offering a fresh take on a variety of Jewish themes. The festival draws its inspiration from the international Limmud movement, which developed in London, England more than 30 years ago. For more information, visit abitoffthetop.com or facebook.com/getinlemood. And, finally, speaking of large-scale events – TribeFest, a brainchild of the Jewish Federations of North America, hit Las Vegas last month. TribeFest drew more than 1,000 people and featured authors and leaders in the North American Jewish community discussing sports, politics, arts, and technology, among other topics. I’m moving TribeFest to the top of my wish list for next year. Anyone got a plane?
Eighteen things you may not know about Ellis Solomon If you have ever shopped in the kosher section of the College Square Loblaws, you have probably been on the receiving end of a smile and warm greeting from Ellis Solomon, a mashgiach with Ottawa’s Vaad HaKashrut. Ellis has helped me out too many times to count putting together Shabbat dinner meal plans, recipe recommendations and finding desperately needed products. But, there is more to Ellis than his passion for kashrut and being helpful. Here are 18 things you may not know about Ellis Solomon ... 1. I was born in Singapore and moved to Ottawa when I was 13. My father was born in Singapore and my mother in India. When I was a child, I could speak both Chinese and Malay. 2. I have a passion for photography. I have taught photography, worked at a camera equipment store for 20 years and worked as a professional photographer taking pictures at weddings and other functions. Now photography is my hobby. One of my favourite subjects is sunrises and sunsets. 3. A favourite part of my job is talking to people, and being able to help them in the kosher section. 4. I have a beautiful cat named Algernon. My wife Cecile and I found her and her mother, who is now deceased, on the street about 13 years ago. I have loved the name ‘Algernon’ since seeing the 1968 movie Charly. 5. My favourite holiday is Pesach, and I have wonderful memories of my family sitting around the seder table. And being Sephardic makes Pesach even more exciting with all of the different and delicious foods. 6. I am addicted to sweaters and almost always wear one. 7. I love to cook, especially with chicken because of the many different ways to cook it! My wife loves to bake. This works out well since I cannot bake at all. 8. I enjoy reading and have a fine collection of books. I also have a beautiful Talmud collection, which I treasure. 9. I love sports and, as a child, I played soccer – though we called it football! – and I was learning rugby before we moved to Canada. While I no longer play, I still love to go for long walks and hikes around the west end of Ottawa where there are so many beautiful trails. 10. One of my favourite places in the world is France. I am fascinated by the country’s history, in particular its relationship over the centuries with the Jewish people. 11. I drool over camera and sound equipment. 12. I have a Facebook account but rarely use it for anything except playing the game Farmville. I have promised myself that I will quit when I reach level 100. I am currently at level 99.
18 things ... Ilana Belfer 13. I have a younger brother, Haskell, who lives in the Ottawa area. 14. Right now the book Fugitive: A Novel by Phillip Margolin is on my nightstand. 15. This summer, I am hoping to take a course on digital software editing for Apple computers. 16. I absolutely adore Montreal Kosher’s Cocoa Butterfly pastries and always try to buy a package when they arrive at Loblaws on Thursdays. 17. As a mashgiach, I find supervising the washing of leafy greens to be the biggest pain! 18. I enjoy most types of music except country and western and hard rock. My car radio is tuned to CBC, but, when my wife is not with me, I often flip to Majic 100 or CHEZ-FM.
Ellis Solomon
Page 32 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
Macarons make a perfect Passover dessert Apparently, this year in desserts, cupcakes are out and macarons are in. Macarons, not to be confused with macaroons, are the new darling of the pastry world. These are French macarons we are talking about here (one o), made with ground almonds, not American macaroons made with coconut. The correct pronunciation, if you care about things like that, is Ma-Ka-ROHN, and you roll the r (as in “roll up the rim!”). Check out the video at tinyurl.com/pronouncemacaron to hear it pronounced. However you pronounce them, macarons are the perfect Passover dessert as they contain no flour. Essentially, they are an ethereal confection consisting of two almond meringue cookies, sandwiched together with a filling. I have been making them now for about six years. I make chocolate macarons (recipe below) and salted caramel macarons. They have become quite beloved in our family. I would suggest that, if you are hosting a seder, do not take on the task of baking these for the first time. If you are a guest, bring them. You will be crowned a pastry god or goddess! If your Passover baking is limited to opening up a boxed mix and adding water and an egg, this may be a little too advanced for you. If you love baking, I urge you to give them a try. I have written very detailed instructions. You can also check my blog, saltandserenity.com, for step-by-step photos and the recipe for the salted caramel macarons.
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The recipe uses icing (confectioners’) sugar, which contains cornstarch. However, this year, for the first time ever, I noticed they make Kosher for Passover icing sugar, with potato starch in it. If you can’t find any of the Kosher for Passover icing sugar, you can make your own. Grind 1 cup of regular sugar with 1 1/2 teaspoons of potato starch in the food processor until it is a powder.
Made with Love Cindy Feingold
Chocolate Macarons with Chocolate Ganache Filling Makes 12-15 sandwich cookies. Notes The day before you plan to make macarons, separate 4 large eggs. Freeze or discard the yolks and leave the whites in a bowl on the counter overnight (at room temperature) to age and dry out somewhat. They will be perfectly safe to eat once baked into the cookies. A scale is necessary for measuring out the ingredients. There is too much margin for error when scooping into measuring cups. Macarons are finicky! If you can’t find fine ground granulated sugar, just give regular granulated sugar a whiz in the food processor for 30 seconds. Filled macarons will keep refrigerated for about 4-5 days. If you want to make them ahead of time, freeze the shells only and then fill with ganache the day you plan to serve them. For macaron shells 100 grams egg whites (about 3 egg whites, at room temperature for about 24 hours) 130 grams almond meal (ground almonds) 160 grams icing sugar 80 grams finely ground granulated sugar 10 grams cocoa powder Unsweetened cocoa nibs (optional). I found some at Rainbow Foods. For chocolate ganache filling This makes more than you will need for the recipe. The extra keeps well in the fridge for a month. You can also roll up the excess ganache into little balls for truffles and coat them in cocoa powder for a second excellent Passover dessert. 1 cup 35% cream 1 1/2 cups finely chopped dark chocolate (at least 60%) 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature Stack 2 heavy duty baking sheets. Find a round cookie cutter or drinking glass that measures about 1 1/2 inches across. (A shot glass is ideal for this.) Using a sheet of parchment paper measuring the same size as your baking sheets, trace out staggered rows of circles, spacing the circles about 1/2 inch apart. This will be your template to help you pipe even sized macrons. If you have 13 x 18-inch baking sheets, you should be able to get about 20 circles (4 across and 5 down). Lay the circle drawn sheet on stacked baking trays and cover with a second piece of blank parchment. You may want to paperclip them together so they do not slide when piping. Set aside. In the food processor, grind almond meal and icing sugar until they resemble a finely ground powder, about 2 minutes. Add cocoa powder and blend for another minute. Transfer ground almond mixture to a sieve, set over a large bowl and using a bowl scraper or rubber spatula or
the back of a spoon, push the mixture though the sieve into the bowl. This process ensures a smooth and shiny macaron shell. This can be done a day ahead. Using an electric mixer with a very clean bowl, beat egg whites on low speed and gradually increase to medium speed until egg whites are foamy and soft peaks have just started to form. Gradually add in castor sugar, a tablespoon at a time and continue beating on medium speed until whites are glossy and form a stiff peak. Fold the egg whites into the almond mixture. You don’t have to worry about being too gentle here. You are making a cookie not a meringue. The best way, as I learned from youcandoitathome.blogspot.com, is to mix quite vigorously for the first 10 strokes and then lift the mixture with a spatula, then turn and push it against the bowl. Lift, turn and push, lift, turn and push, until you achieve a well-combined and shiny mixture. I find that this helps to incorporate egg white into dry ingredients really well. The finished batter will be thick and smooth and flowing. Be careful not to over-mix or your meringues will be flat. Fit a disposable piping bag with a 1/2 inch plain round piping tip. Stand pastry bag with tip in a tall glass or pitcher and fold down top of bag, over sides of pitcher. Fill pastry bag about 2/3 full. Twist top of bag closed. Pipe batter onto prepared baking sheets, using circles as a guide. Most likely, your piped macarons will have a little peak on them. Tap the tray on the counter to slightly flatten them out. If you want the tops of your cookies to have a decoration, you can sprinkle half the wet shells with a bit of cocoa nibs. You only need to do half the shells, because the other half will be the bottom of your sandwich cookie. Put rack in middle position in oven. Preheat oven to 300 F. Let the macarons sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes so that the tops can dry out a bit before baking. This will help them rise a bit better. After 30 minutes, touch the top gently with your finger. If it does not stick to your finger, they are ready to bake. Bake, one sheet at a time for about 14-16 minutes, rotating the tray after 7 minutes for even baking. You will notice after about 7 minutes, little feet will start appearing as the macarons begin to rise. This is the mark of a well-made macaron. You will know they are ready if you are able to slightly nudge the macaron with your finger and it slides. If they do not move at all, they need another minute or so. Set baking sheet on a cooling rack and let cool completely. When completely cool, gently lift macarons off the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack. While macarons are cooling prepare chocolate ganache. Bring cream and butter to a simmer in a medium sized pot over medium heat. Do not boil. When simmering, remove from heat and add chocolate. Let sit for about 2 minutes. Mix cream and chocolate together with a spatula until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. Transfer chilled ganache to a disposable piping bag and pipe a scant tablespoon onto half the shells. Cover the piped shells with plain shells for sandwich cookies.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 33
Did you know Andrew Calof is the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year? • Talk about accomplished. Ottawa’s own Andrew Calof, who wears number 18 for Princeton University‘s men’s hockey team, was named 2011 ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Hockey Rookie of the Year. He becomes Princeton’s third ECAC Rookie of the Year winner and the first since 1989. Andrew led the team in scoring with 33 points during the regular season on nine goals and 24 assists to become Princeton’s first 30-point scorer since the 2007-08 season. His 33 points is the fourth-highest total ever for a Princeton freshman. • I prefer not to include items about myself in this column, but this story is just too remarkable not to tell. My husband Steven and I were hiking on a remote trail on the Tenorio volcano in the rainforest of northern Costa Rica when we stopped to take in the magnificent view of the Rio Celeste River. Much to my surprise, standing there among a group of hikers was David Spring and his son Alex, and Brian Gold with his daughter Cara. Small world! The small world coincidences in Costa Rica kept on coming. We rented a condo in a small surfing town on the Pacific coast. Our next door neighbours – with a mezuzah on their door – were from Philadelphia. It turned out their daughter is currently living in Ottawa. I was so surprised, I did not get her name. As if that’s not enough: At dinner one night at our favourite restaurant, owned by an Israeli chef, we got to talking to the people sitting at the table beside us. They were from Montreal. “Do you know the Cogan family in Ottawa?â€? they asked. “Our niece, Tara, is married to James Cogan.â€? Again, I was too surprised to get their name, but Tara, your aunt and uncle say, “Hi!â€? It’s a small world, indeed. • Artist Katherine Jeans donated one of her paintings for the lobby of the Queensway Carleton Hospital’s new cancer centre. In addition to her work as a visual artist, Katherine is also a documentary film director. Check out her website at katherinejeans.com. • FROSTY (Federation of Reform Ottawa Senior Temple
Did you know? Benita Baker
Andrew Calof of Princeton University’s men’s hockey team scores a goal in a game against Brown University.
Youth) is an impressive group of socially aware teens whose goal is to be involved and make a difference in the community. When these kids have a program, it’s all about social action, raising funds or provoking thought. Whether it is joining with other teens from the region for a social action weekend of volunteering in seniors’ homes and women’s shelters, as they did this winter in Toronto, or hosting a debating weekend where they tackle weighty issues such as whether Judaism should condemn the creation of nuclear weapons for defence purposes, this group is both inspired and inspiring! At their annual retreat this past fall, FROSTY members began creating a Misheberach Quilt in memory of the late Terry Schwarzfeld, who had a huge influence on the group. They hand-painted and decorated squares of fabric that, when assembled, will be used during FROSTY-led Shabbat services. • Michael Gennis will be opening an art gallery in Westboro. The Westboro Gallery, to be located in Westboro Station, is targeted to open in August or September. Stay tuned for more information. • Artists Michael Parkin and FortunÊe Shugar joined
FROSTY members with advisers Margo Viner and Hana Shusterman.
with fellow artist Bill Woodley in an exhibition and sale of their work. Scene from Within was held March 9-27 at The Foyer Gallery at the Nepean Sportsplex. Check out FortunÊe’s website – fortuneeshugar.com – to see more of her work. Michael does not have a website, but you can contact him at parkin.michael@gmail.com for more information. • Temple Israel had a unique take on the Megillah reading this year on Purim. Members took turns telling the story of Purim in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Italian, Russian, Hungarian, Portuguese, Arabic, French, Polish and Esperanto. If you know something that we all should know, tell me, so I can tell the community. Send e-mail to me at didyouknowottawa@gmail.com.
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Page 34 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
‘A paradise of equality and good jokes’ It happened again. A phrase jumped out at me from amidst a string of words and grabbed me by the throat. I was having, or so I thought, a reasonable discussion with someone about Karl Marx and whether his writing about the Jews was anti-Semitic, when he – my interlocutor, not Marx – said, “You have no vision. You can’t see the forest for the trees.” Whoa! How’s that? What, exactly, am I being accused of? What is a forest? Well, basically, it is an area with a high density of trees. So, my powers of reasoning or vision are so poor, according to my Marx interlocutor, that I can’t see the high density of trees for the trees. To you, this may seem normal. But to me, it seems odd. If I see the trees, then I see the forest, and vice versa. It’s like saying I can’t see the flock for all the sheep. But, of course, if I wasn’t seeing the sheep, I wouldn’t see the flock
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either. But, it’s a good thing that I do see the sheep, because then I can see the wolves in sheep’s clothing. And, if I see enough of those, I see the whole pack. And, at the end of the day, it’s a strange thing for a Marxist to claim that I can’t see the productive class for all the workers. Actually, it was because Marx saw all the workers that he was able to see a class, not the other way round. Marx – Karl, not Groucho – wanted to build a classless society, and it turns out that if such a thing were achieved, it really would have zero class; no outstanding art, no creative activity, no entrepreneurship. My mother experienced this absence of class in the Soviet Union when, in the clothing factory, she sewed the pockets on the pants too quickly and the other workers threatened her if she didn’t slow down. They were afraid the foreman would up the quota for everybody and they would all have to work harder for the same amount of money. Well, we can’t have that in a worker’s paradise! No increases in productivity permitted unless mandated by the Supreme Leader. So, getting back to my sheep and my forest, Marx – Karl, not Harpo – saw Jews as natural capitalists because of their history and values. That is why ‘the people’ (a.k.a. the customers) resent and hate them. Furthermore, it is this Jewish approach that has permeated the whole of the bourgeoisie and the capitalist class, even the non-Jews, which have thus beThe Ottawa Jewish Bulletin Publishing Co. Ltd. collects and uses your personal information primarily for the purpose of providing you with the products and services you have requested from us. The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin may also contact you from time to time to ask about
Humour me, please Rubin Friedman come Judaized. His conclusion: Jews will be freed from antiSemitism once society has been freed from Judaism. Marx – Karl, not Chico – also despised Christianity and other religions. This is the forest that my friend sees, the larger framework. And I, poor me, see only the details, the trees of this argument, which, to me, sound a lot like they are anti-Semitic. After all, this approach is not just a logical exercise. It’s an appeal to emotion and to historical prejudice. So, if you think there isn’t anti-Semitism involved, you probably can’t see the paragraph for all the words, which you pull over your eyes like a prophylactic against evil, a kind of blind hope that your hero couldn’t have such weaknesses. And, if the dream of Karl, and his distant relatives, the five Marx brothers, could be realized, we would achieve a paradise of equality and good jokes. Come to think of it, that might be a forest where I could live happily among the trees.
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Flowers on Gravesites
It is time once again to make arrangements for the purchase and planting of flowers at the cemeteries which must be made through the Ottawa Jewish Cemetery Committee. This ensures a uniform price structure and guarantees maintenance of the flowerbeds. Below you will find details for the present price structure. Orders must be confirmed and paid for by May 1, 2011.
A Single Plot: $128.32 + hst $16.68 = $145.00 • A Double Plot: $256.64 + hst $33.36 = $290.00 • Across Planting (adjoining plots): $192.48 + hst $25.02 = $217.50 Please forward your requests for planting along with your payment to:
✄
Flowers – Jewish Memorial Gardens, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Ottawa, Ontario K2A 1R9 or by fax 613-798-4695
PLEASE
RETURN THIS PORTION WITH YOUR CHEQUE.
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Province, Postal Code:
WE
ALSO ACCEPT
Credit card number: Plot Name
VISA
AND
MASTERCARD.
Expiration date: Cemetery
Section
Row/Plot
For additional information, please call Jean Myers at 613-688-3530, ext. 3
Amount
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 35
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Page 36 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
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CAROL AND LAWRENCE GREENBERG COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Carol Greenberg on the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter Elizabeth Greenberg by Elissa and Avy Iny.
HOWARD HERZL GOLDBERG SCHOLARSHIP FUND In memory of: Edith Appotive by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg. IBOLYA AND HOWARD GOLDBERG FAMILY FUND In memory of: Akiva Kriger by Helene, Shawn, Chaim and Aaron Goldberg.
MICHAEL GREENBERG MEMORIAL FUND Anniversary wishes to: Joe and Ruth Viner by Steve and Jocelyne Greenberg. LARRY AND SHEILA HARTMAN ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Avraham and Elissa Iny on the birth of their grandson Jonah Gabriel by Larry and Sheila Hartman.
DOROTHY AND HY HYMES ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Akiva Kriger by Dorothy and Hy Hymes. Edith Appotive by Dorothy and Hy Hymes. Birthday wishes to: Marjorie Achbar by Dorothy and Hy Hymes. AVRAHAM AND ELISSA INY FAMILY FUND Mazal Tov to: Avraham and Elissa Iny on the birth of their grandson by Daniel and Marilyn Kimmel. BENJAMIN AND LILLIAN KATZ MEMORIAL FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Benjamin Katz, a beloved father and grandfather by Maureen and Jeff Katz. Juair Monson, a beloved father by Maureen and Jeff Katz. In memory of: Sol Kaiman by Maureen and Jeff Katz. Bessie Taller by Maureen and Jeff Katz. LIBBY AND STAN KATZ FAMILY COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Zelda Kaminsky by Libby and Stan Katz. ARTHUR AND SARAH KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Bertram Bronsther by Daniel and Marilyn Kimmel. Norman Epelbaum by Daniel and Marilyn Kimmel. PHILLIP AND ETTIE KIMMEL MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Norman Epelbaum by Stan Kimmel. SHARON KOFFMAN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND Condolences to: Steve Margolian on the loss of a dear mother by Carole and Norman Zagerman.
Celebrate Passover by sending your friends and loved ones a Tribute Card wishing them a Happy and Healthy Pesach Single cards are $18 or bulk cards of 18 or more are $15 per card Make your donation(s) online at www.OJCF.ca And receive an e-receipt and summary instantly to your email account or call Erin Bolling at 613.798.4696 ext. 232
Birthday wishes to: Harry Weitz by Fay Koffman. EDIE AND ERWIN KORANYI ENDOWMENT FUND In observance of the Yahrzeit of: Edie Koranyi by Fred and Lisa Cogan and family. DR. JOSEPH AND GRACE KOREEN ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Joseph Koreen by Yaffa Greenbaum and Jack Shinder. SUSAN AND DAVID KRIGER ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Akiva Kriger by Miriam Lieff; by Sheila and Bob Smolkin; and by Miriam, Alan, Emma, Laura and Michael Sobel. ANNICE AND SYDNEY KRONICK FAMILY FUND Birthday wishes to: Evelyn Lieff by Sydney Kronick and Barbara Sugarman. Anniversary wishes to: Ruth and Joseph Viner by Sydney Kronick and Barbara Sugarman. ISSIE AND EDITH LANDAU ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Akiva Kriger by Edie Landau. NORMAN AND ISABEL LESH ENDOWMENT FUND Condolences to: Pamela Allen and family on the loss of a dear father and grandfather by Norman and Isabel Lesh. R’fuah Sh’lemah to: Shelley Schachnow by Norman and Isabel Lesh. JOHN AND ESTELLE LIBERMAN ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Irvin Morgan by Estelle and John Liberman. JOSEPH AND EVELYN LIEFF ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Evelyn Lieff by Simmy Gardner; by Phyllis Sternthal; and by Ruth and Joseph Viner. Joseph Lieff by Ruth and Joseph Viner. Continued on page 37
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 37
FOUNDATION DONATIONS Speedy Recovery to: Richard Stern by Simmy Gardner. ARNOLD AND ROSE LITHWICK MEMORIAL FUND Anniversary wishes to: Harvey and Yvonne Lithwick by Herb and Pam Beiles and family. SAMUEL AND LEEMA MAGIDSON ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Myer Goldin by Roslyn and Arnold Kimmel. RHODA AND JEFFREY MILLER FAMILY FUND In memory of: Norman Epelbaum by Rhoda and Jeffrey Miller. DAVE, LOUIS AND LAZ MIRSKY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Cayle Chernin by Debra and Herbert Cosman and family; by Douglas and Wendy Moraff; and by Goldie Moraff. JACK AND HONEY MONSON ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Sally Taller by Cecelia Levitan. HARRY AND BERTHA PLEET MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Akiva Kriger by Pinchas and Barbara Pleet. JACK AND MIRIAM PLEET ENDOWMENT FUND Anniversary wishes to: Ruth and Joe Viner by Miriam Pleet. EVELYN AND NORMAN POTECHIN ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Norman and Evelyn Potechin on all their March simchas by Stan and Libby Katz; and by Rose and Morrie Konick. Birthday wishes to: Evelyn Potechin by Rose and Morrie Konick. ALTI AND BEREL RODAL FAMILY FUND Mazal tov to: Laizer and Malka Rodal on the birth and bris of Menachem Mendel by Berel and Alti Rodal. Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Dov Bleich on the birth and bris of Shapsi Shlomo by Berel and Alti Rodal. Dini and Mendi Polichenco on the birth and bris of Elimelech by Berel and Alti Rodal. Dvora Leah and Shimy Heidingsfeld on the birth and bris of Levi by Berel and Alti Rodal. In memory of: Miriam Sussman by Berel and Alti Rodal. Avraham Silverstein by Berel and Alti Rodal.
FRANCES AND MORTON ROSS FAMLY FUND Condolences to: Heather and Steve Mintz on the loss of a dear mother by Fran and Mort Ross and family. SAMUEL AND RUTH ROTHMAN MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Emile Chaim Benlolo by Sheldon and Corinne Taylor. Speedy recovery to: Eileen Glenns by Sheldon and Corinne Taylor. SHELLEY AND SID ROTHMAN FAMILY FUND Mazal Tov to: Steve and Roslyn Fremeth on the occasion of their son Howard receiving his Ph.D. in Communications by Shelley Rothman and family. In memory of: Norman Epelbaum by Shelley, Stuart, Nina, PJ and Marshall Rothman. GABY SASSOON FOR VICTIMS OF TERROR IN ISRAEL MEMORIAL FUND In appreciation to: Rabbi Yaacov and Temmy Salomon by Maureen and Jeff Katz. Mazal tov to: Jeff Srour on his senior appointment with J & J Canada by Maureen and Jeff Katz. SYLVIA AND HARRY SHERMAN MEMORIAL FUND Mazal Tov to: Randi and Ian Sherman on Jonathan’s admission to Osgoode Hall by proud grandparents Julie and Jack Sherman. JACK AND SARAH SILVERSTEIN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND Yasher Koach to: Jack Silverstein by Lawrence and Carol Pascoe. STELLA AND LOUIS SLACK MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Wilma Gordon by Bonnie and Paul Bowering. SAM AND SUE SLACK ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Sue Slack by Diane and Carol Wexler; and by Eleanor Stober. JACK AND LINDA SMITH ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Eddie Leibovitz by Leslie and Maureen Smith.
Readers are advised that In Appreciation notices may not always appear on Foundation pages, particularly when space is limited.
VICTOR AND SHIRLEY STEINBERG ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Marvin Jason by Shirley Steinberg. Akiva Kriger by Shirley Steinberg. Jean Segalowitz by Shirley Steinberg. Mazal Tov to: Ann Brozovsky on the birth of her greatgrandson by Shirley Steinberg. DORIS AND RICHARD STERN FAMILY FUND Speedy recovery to: Richard Stern by Elissa and Avy Iny. Mazal Tov to: Avraham and Elissa Iny on the birth of their grandson by Doris and Richard Stern. CASEY AND BESS SWEDLOVE ENDOWMENT FUND Birthday wishes to: Bess Swedlove by Libby and Stan Katz. RUTH TALLER MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Mordechai Lipszyc by Mendy Taller and family.
SALLY AND MAX TALLER FAMILY FUND Birthday wishes to: Sally Taller by Honey and Jack Baylin. STEPHEN AND GAIL VICTOR ENDOWMENT FUND Mazal Tov to: Barry Baker on his special Bar Mitzvah by Sandy Marchello. RUTH AND JOSEPH VINER ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Akiva Kriger by Ruth and Joseph Viner. Edith Appotive by Ruth and Joseph Viner. Ed Landis by Ruth and Joseph Viner. Anniversary wishes to: Ruth and Joseph Viner by Ray and Ernest Goldstein; by Daphne and Stanley Arron; by Millie Weinstein; by Larry and Sheila Hartman; by Joan and Weldon Levine; by Marvin and Estelle Wurth; and by Marcia and Paul Friedberg. Continued on page 38
In Appreciation The family of the late Murray Goldenblatt would like to thank all our family and friends for their kindness and expressions of condolence on the loss of a dear son, brother, father and husband. Your generous donations, cards and visits were comforting and uplifting during this difficult time. Bernice (Bunny) Cogan, Heather, Don, Ron, Evan, Judy
In Appreciation My heartfelt thanks to all my family and friends for their warm wishes, thoughtfulness and generous contributions in support of community-wide funds on the occasion of my 70th birthday. Barry Baker
In Appreciation Our sincere thanks to the vast numbers of family and friends who have honoured our dear mother, Bessie Taller. Your supportive and comforting words and thoughtful deeds helped us through our time of grief. Carolyn Katz, Herbie and Mendy Taller & families
In Appreciation We would like to express our warmest appreciation to all our family & friends for their cards, donations, meals, phone calls and emails in memory of our dear mother Tami Berezin. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Please accept this as our personal thank you. Gary & Gord Berezin, Susan Danoff
Page 38 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
FOUNDATION DONATIONS MIRIAM AND LOUIS WEINER ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Edward Landis by Miriam and Louis Weiner. Speedy recovery to: Estelle Pollock by Miriam and Louis Weiner. Birthday wishes to: Evelyn Potechin by Miriam and Louis Weiner. HALTON/WEISS FAMILY FUND Condolences to: Heather Evenchick on her recent loss by Ron and Debbie Weiss. Mazal Tov to: Roslyn and Steve Fremeth on the engagement of Howie to Melanie by Ron and Debbie Weiss. Margo and Frank Rosen on the birth of their grandson by Ron and Debbie Weiss. Elissa and Avraham Iny on the birth of their grandson Jonah Gabriel Kellner by Ron and Debbie Weiss. SAM AND HELENE ZARET MEMORIAL FUND In memory of: Edith Appotive by Neil and Debi Zaret and family. Birthday wishes to: Sally Taller by Debi and Neil Zaret and family. Mazal Tov to: Ron Kellner and Michally Iny on their recent addition by Neil and Debi Zaret.
Mrs. A. Bernstein; Potechin; by Ernie, Goldberg. Birthday wishes to: Evelyn Potechin Potechin; by Ernie, Goldberg.
Passover feature by Leonard and Mary Reva, Robyn and Ryan
by Leonard and Mary Reva, Robyn and Ryan
ELIZABETH GREENBERG MITZVAH FUND Mazal tov to: Carol Greenberg on the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter, Elizabeth Greenberg by Francie Greenspoon. Elizabeth Greenberg on the occasion of her Bat Mitzvah by Yaffa Greenbaum and Jack Shinder; by Keren Gordon and Adam Carroll and family; by Henny and Herb Greenspoon; by Mario, Miriam, Sam, Madeleine and Isabelle Burke; by Mark, Stacey, Jonah and Max Cantor; by Michael, Sharyn, Shane, Carly, Alexa, Jordyn and Ryan Freilich; by David and Patty Rubin; by Robert, Claire, Melanie and Adam Greenberg; by Carole and Norman Zagerman; by Roger Greenberg and Cindy Feingold; by Oded and Pamela Ravek and family; and by Michelle, Richard and Jenna Freilich. GABRIEL HAMBURG MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Evelyn Levy by Cybele and Lyon Hamburg. LIEFF FAMILY B’NAI MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Sol Gerofsky by Norman and Francie Leiff.
ZIPES KARANOFSKY FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND In memory of: Mordechai Lipszyc by Rick and Helen Zipes. Norman Epelbaum by Rick and Helen Zipes.
MARSHALL ROTHMAN MITZVAH FUND Mazal Tov to: Howard Fremeth on receiving his Ph.D. in Communications by Marshall and PJ Rothman.
THE SAUL AND EDNA GOLDFARB B’NAI MITZVAH PROGRAM RYAN GOLDBERG B’NAI MITZVAH FUND In memory of: Rose Adler by Ernie, Reva, Robyn and Ryan Goldberg. Akiva Kriger by Ernie, Reva, Robyn and Ryan Goldberg. Anniversary wishes to: Norman and Evelyn Potechin by Mr. and
Contributions may be made online at www.OJCF.ca or by contacting Erin Bolling at 613-798-4696 extension 232, Monday to Friday or by email at donation@ojcf.ca. Attractive cards are sent to convey the appropriate sentiments. All donations are acknowledged with a charitable receipt. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Amex.
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011 has been declared Foundation Day in recognition of the OJCF’s vital role of providing donors the vehicle to contribute to the long term financial stability and support of the needs of the agencies that serve the Ottawa Jewish Community.
The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation invites you to celebrate Foundation Day as a special event at participating shuls throughout Ottawa.
Come celebrate with us! www.OJCF.ca
Escaping the box: 18 minutes to Passover freedom By Edmon J. Rodman (JTA) – In every generation, the haggadah tells us, the wise, the simple, the non-askers and even the baddies are obligated to see themselves as though they themselves actually had come out from Egypt. Unfortunately, the closest many of us come to this ideal is a stroll through the Passover aisle of the supermarket. Why does Passover have to come in a neatly packaged box with easy bake instructions? This Passover, to heat up and personalize my leaving from Egypt, I decided to forego the usual rectangular shrink-wrapped packages of the holiday’s mainstay, matzo. If our ancestors could prepare for their journey in one night by baking an unleavened quick bread, so could I. In my best Mah Nishtanah singsong I chanted, “How hard could it be to bake homemade matzo?” With only a teaspoon full of baking experience, I consulted Claudia Roden’s authoritative The Book of Jewish Food, which assured me that Jewish people once “made unleavened bread at home.” According to Rodin, all I needed was some “special hard wheat bread flour,” spring water, an oven and a fork to poke holes in the rolled-out dough. Problems rose immediately: The flour is harder to find than any afikoman. Many observant Jews will have nothing less than shmurah flour for their matzo, which is made from wheat that has been guarded from the time it was taken to the mill to ensure that it has not come in contact with fermentationcausing moisture. Searching for shmurah flour, I called a kosher market where I shop. “Don’t have it,” said David, one of the owners, adding, “And I don’t think it’s available anywhere commercially.” Next I tried Rabbi Mendy Cunin of Chabad-Lubavitch. “I can help arrange a trip to Crown Heights, where there is a matzo bakery,” he suggested. That meant travelling to Brooklyn, N.Y. I was in a rush, I explained. Unfazed, Rabbi Cunin suggested that, as I proceeded, I should see the “humility of the matzo. “It’s unlike the egotism of the challah, which is mostly air,” he said. “With matzo, what you see is what you get.” A Conservative rabbi with whom I consulted had another opinion, believing that I could simply use kosher flour. She suggested that I was covered for Passover use under the principle of batel b’shishim, a loophole that says, if a forbidden ingredient like chametz is less than one-sixtieth of the hole, the product is still OK.
Still, if you choose to try this at home and the origin of your flour is important, please consult a religious authority; rabbis do differ. I prepared my exodus from the box with a bag of kosher whole wheat flour and a bottle of spring water. I cranked up the oven as high as it would go, to 550 degrees. While waiting for the oven to reach the desired temperature, I removed my watch and laid it on the kitchen table. I would need it. Someone long ago determined that the matzo-baking process from the time you add water to flour until you take the unleavened bread from the oven could not take more than 18 minutes. Longer than that and the mixture could rise and thus be leavened. As I measured out the ingredients, three parts flour to one part water, it dawned on me that, in addition to becoming a baker, I was now a game-show contestant, too. As I readied the mixing bowls and measuring cups, I imagined a show called “Unleaven Heaven” or “18 Minutes to Win It.” Round 1: I added water to flour, mixed it together with my hands, kneaded the sticky ball for a minute and slapped it down. With a rolling pin I flattened and spread the dough. I carefully poked holes with a fork. But, when it came time to lift the taco-sized round, the whole thing wouldn’t budge. My exodus was stuck. Round 2: I checked the instructions; I needed to knead longer. As I did, I could feel the dough becoming less sticky in my hands. For the bread made in haste the night before the departure from Egypt, patience was an unlisted ingredient. I flipped the easily freed round into the oven and returned to rolling out another. But why did the kitchen smell like burning toast? I opened the oven door to matzo flambé. Two of the wonders of the Haggadah were happening right in my kitchen: fire and pillars of smoke. Round 3: The fork wasn’t working. To bake more crisply, the dough needed more holes. Veterans of matzo-baking use a kitchen tool called a docker, a hand roller with spikes. I thought about buying one. What would Moses do? Didn’t liberation call for taking freedom into your own hands? So, with three forks, some duct tape and a piece of cardboard, I devised a “forkler.” I mixed, kneaded and rolled. I forkled. Flipping the round into the oven with plenty of time to spare, this time I watched, guarding my freedom carefully. Still warm out of the oven, I admired my work as I ate it. It was one part haste, one part invention and one part humility, but all parts with meaning baked in. And, if it tasted like a chewier cardboard, well, it was my cardboard.
Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011 – Page 39
Ottawa celebrates Purim
(More photos on page 22)
Jewish Youth Library
NCSY
Balloon animals lent to the festivities at the Jewish Youth Library’s Purim party.
The Megillah was read while a funny translation was projected onto a screen at the NCSY Teen Purim Party at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre.
Ottawa Modern Jewish School Ottawa Modern Jewish Sschool’s Pseudo-Seudah was filled with live music, food and fun as parents and students enjoyed singing Purim songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and English.
Hillel Academy A group of girls in Grade 6 at Hillel Academy let us know how they feel about Purim. (Photo: Deanna Coghlin)
Agudath Israel
Temple Israel
Cowboy hats and western wear was the dress code when Agudath Israel Congregation celebrated Purim with a hoedown theme.
Temple Israel had a Sesame Street theme for its Purim Shpiel for children and families. (Photo: Annette Paquin)
Page 40 – Ottawa Jewish Bulletin – April 11, 2011
WHAT’S GOING ON April 11 to 24, 2011 WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAYS Motorin’ Munchkins DropIn for ages 5 and under, sponsored by the SJCC Family Life Centre. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult, 9 am to 12 pm. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 294.
CANDLELIGHTING Apr 15 ✡ 7:30 pm FIRST SEDER Apr 18 ✡ 7:34 pm SECOND SEDER Apr 19 ✡ AFTER 8:40 pm Apr 22 ✡ 7:39 pm EVE OF THE SEVENTH DAY OF PASSOVER Apr 24 ✡ 7:41 pm EVE OF EIGHTH DAY OF PASSOVER Apr 25 ✡ AFTER 8:49 pm
TUESDAYS Israeli Folkdancing, learn dances, have fun, no experience or partner necessary, Hillel Academy, 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 7:00 pm. Info: 613722-9323.
sored by the JCC Family Life Centre, welcomes Shabbat through crafts, songs, stories and games. Bracha Bear will be there! All children must be accompanied by an adult, 9:30 am to 11:00 am. MONDAY, APRIL 11 Matzah Making with Rabbi Menachem Blum, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, The Westwood, 2370 Carling Avenue, 2:00 pm. Info: 613-7222225, ext. 300.
WEDNESDAYS Baby and Toddler Play Group, sponsored by JCC Family Life Centre, 9:00 am to 11 am. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 294.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14 Beyond Time and Place, discussion with Rabbi Ely Braun, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, The Embassy West, 1400 Carling Avenue, 2:00 pm. Info: 613-722-2225, ext. 411.
FRIDAYS Shabbat Shalom Drop-In for ages 5 and under, spon-
PASSOVER TUESDAY, APRIL 19 TO TUESDAY, APRIL 26
For more community listings, visit ottawa.jewishottawa.com Select Calendar/Upcoming Events and Click to See More
FIRST SEDER MONDAY, APRIL 18 SECOND SEDER TUESDAY, APRIL 19
COMING SOON
MONDAY, APRIL 18 12th Annual Community Seder, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, Valley Stream Manor, 2 Valley Stream Drive, 7:15 pm. Info: 613-7222225. THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Yiddish Capers, with Shirley Steinberg, sponsored by Jewish Family Services, 2255 Carling Avenue, Suite 300, 10:00 am. Info: 613-7222225, ext. 411. SUNDAY, APRIL 24 Shalom Ottawa, our community television show, on Rogers 22, 12:00 pm. (Repeats Thursday, April 28 at 4:30 pm and Saturday, April 30 at 12:00 pm).
SUNDAY, MAY 1 Book launch: Jewish Roots, Canadian Soil. A look at Yiddish Culture in Montreal 1905-1945. Author Rebecca Margolis will speak about Montreal’s vibrant Yiddish cultural life in its formative years, 2:00 pm. Info: 613-798-9818, ext. 254. Multifaith Housing Initiative Tulipathon: Walk with people of all faiths to provide affordable housing for low-income households in Ottawa, Commissioner’s Park, 2:00 pm. Registration begins at 1:00 pm. Info: 613-686-1825. 2011 Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration. Keynote speaker Ada Wynston will describe her personal experiences during the Holocaust. Born in Amsterdam in 1936, Ada, along with 231 other Jewish children, was rescued from a Jewish day care centre by the Dutch underground. At six, she went into hiding with DutchReform Christian families until 1945. Seventy-three of her family members were murdered. She emigrated to Canada in 1957. The highly acclaimed film Hidden Heroes recounts the story of Dutch Christians who rescued Jewish children during the Holocaust, 7:00 pm. Info: 613-798-4696, ext. 253.
Unless otherwise noted, activities take place at The Joseph and Rose Ages Family Building, 21 Nadolny Sachs Private. This information is taken from the community calendar maintained by the Jewish Ottawa InfoCentre. Organizations which would like their events to be listed, no matter where they are to be held, should send the information to InfoCentre coordinator Benita Siemiatycki via e-mail at bsiemiatycki@jewishottawa.com or fax at 613-798-4695. She can also be reached by telephone at 613-798-4644. Accurate details must be provided and all events must be open to the Jewish public.
Condolences Condolences are extended to the families of: Doris Edelstein Norman Epelbaum Susan Fisher Wilma Gordon, Montreal (sister of Martin Gordon) Ruth Harrouch, Montreal (sister of Cantor Daniel Benlolo) Paul Kathnelson, Carleton Place (son-in-law of Sidney Featherman) Esther Molly Phomin
May their memory be a blessing always.
The CONDOLENCE COLUMN is offered as a public service to the community. There is no charge. For a listing in this column, please call 613-798-4696, ext. 232. Voice mail is available.
BULLETIN DEADLINES APRIL 27 FOR MAY 16 MAY 11 FOR MAY 30 MAY 25 FOR JUNE 13 JUNE 29 FOR JULY 18 JULY 27 FOR AUGUST 15 AUGUST 17 FOR SEPTEMBER 5 AUGUST 24 FOR SEPTEMBER 19* * Community-wide Issue (all dates subject to change)
For our investors, it’s a happy Passover As we celebrate our freedom from slavery in Egypt, some of us ask: why is the Romspen Fund different from all other investments? For one thing, Romspen investors have always received their monthly distribution no matter how good or bad the economic climate. To the many Jewish investors who depend on The Romspen Mortgage Investment Fund, we are thankful for your steadfast support and confidence. From Arthur, Mark, Wes, Blake, Shelly and our entire staff, we wish you continued good health and prosperity. Happy Pesach.
162 Cumberland Street, Suite 300 Toronto, Ontario M5R 3N5 1.800.494.0389 www.romspen.com