|
Canadian Jewish Congress-Pacific Region names David Schwartz as new Chair |
Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region (CJCPR) named David Schwartz the new Chair at its Biennial General Meeting held on May 14,2009 at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre.
David Schwartz will lead a new slate of Officers for the 2009-2011 Administration. A senior solicitor with extensive experience in the area of corporate and securities law, David has been an active and dedicated Officer with CJC-PR for the past 8 years, including the position of Secretary/Treasurer for the past 4 years.
"I am honoured to become Chair of CJC-PR and proud to represent an organization that has a 90-year tradition of outstanding achievements in the service of the Jewish community and where Jews, as part of the multicultural fabric of Canada, live in and contribute to an environment of opportunity and mutual respect", said David Schwartz.
David will work with a dynamic Executive Committee, which includes:
Vice-Chairpersons
Mindi Cofman, Richard Kurland, and Dr. Mark Wexler
Honourary Legal Counsel
Steve Schachter
Treasurer-Secretary
Eleanor Boyle Rothstein
The Officers-at-Large include: Dr. Michael Elterman, Sara Fisher, Tim Humphries, Tamara Pearl, Howard Jampolsky, Tami Michaelson-King, Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Nava Mizrahi Rosenberg, Dan Shmilovitch, Lewis Silberberg, Robbie Waisman, and Mark Weintraub.
The evening featured a keynote address by Reverend Dr. Richard Leggett, the Associate Dean and Professor of Liturgical Studies of the Vancouver School of Theology, who spoke on the topic of the "Importance of inter-faith dialogue in times of international instability and the promotion of Canadian norms of civility in public discourse". His insightful address was the highlight of the evening.
The Morris Saltzman Award for Outstanding Community Service was presented to Reverend Leggett for his outstanding contributions to interfaith dialogue. His contributions and commitment to foster understanding and conversation among leaders of different faiths are a source of inspiration to all of those who believe in the power of interfaith dialogue.
|
|
British Columbia Students Challenged to Choose Their Voice |
|
With a firm belief that education is key to fighting hatred and bigotry, Mr. Tony Comper, former President and CEO of BMO Financial Group, and his wife, Elizabeth, a former elementary school teacher, founded Fighting Anti-Semitism Together (FAST). FAST, a major initiative led by a coalition of non-Jewish Canadian business and community leaders, is dedicated to funding educational programs that empower and challenge students to speak out against the dangers of hatred and antisemitism.
Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee, in partnership with FAST, developed Choose Your Voice, an exciting anti-racism and antisemitism education program that educates grades 6 and 7 students about the dangers of stereotyping and racism. Choose Your Voice helps empower students to stand up against prejudice and hate and is a powerful component of bullying prevention programs. Students will learn about contemporary and historical incidents of racism such as the 1907 anti-Asian riots in Vancouver, the tragic 1998 murder of Nirmal Singh Gill, the March 2004 arson attack at Pickering Mosque. The program also shares experiences of antisemitism and racism against the Jewish, African-Canadian, First Nations, Chinese and Asian communities, including stories of Holocaust and Rwandan genocide survivors, and a former racist turned anti-racism advocate.
Specially designed to help teachers meet the B.C. curriculum outcome, Choose Your Voice is free program, which includes four lesson plans, an assessment strategy, and an award-winning educational DVD. To date, nearly half a million students across Canada have been exposed to Choose Your Voice, which has received wide acclaim from educators who say it has helped promote harmony, respect, and equality in their schools.
In November 2008 Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee - Pacific Region and FAST launched Choose Your Voice in B.C. before an audience of over 200 students, teachers, parents, and special guests at Sir William Osler Elementary School. As part of its philosophy and mission to create a safe, supportive, and racism free environment for its students, Sir William Osler hosted the launch and piloted the program. Principal Milana Christie and teachers Patti Milsom and Elaine McGauley fully embraced Choose Your Voice due to their commitment to teach their students about the dangers of prejudice and empower them to stand up when confronted with racism.
"When Romy Ritter (Regional Director of CJCPR) came to see me in the spring and presented this educational resource, it really brought home, within a blink of an eye, how important this is. It is important because it enlightens, empowers and it teaches the children, not only about themselves, but of the importance of a world that is free of racism and free of judgment. It encourages them to love one another and respect other people, no matter where they are from. I hope that the "pebble" we threw into the educational waters of BC has big ripples all over the province. Thank you again for bringing this wonderful project to our attention and for giving us the opportunity to be a part of it", said Milana Christie, Principal, Sir William Osler Elementary School.
The Choose Your Voice launch featured powerful and moving remarks from Chris Kelly, Superintendent of Schools, Vancouver School Board, Tony Comper, Bernie Farber, CEO, CJC and Gerry Cuttler, Chair, CJC-Pacific Region. The highlight of the launch was the debut performance by the Sir William Osler Choir of "Stand Together" (music and lyrics composed by Laurence Gilman and Ed Hayes) and "Children of Hope", (written and composed by Kristine Hu, a grade 7 student at Osler) performed by the Sir William Osler Division 1 and 2 Girls. The student's poetry, performances, and artwork reflected the powerful messages contained within the program. Watching children from diverse backgrounds stand together, united in a single voice promoting peace, love, and acceptance, had an everlasting impact on those present. The students sent a powerful message - a message of hope and that children and adults alike all have the power to Choose Our Voice.
 Since the launch of Choose Your Voice in BC, 35 school boards have approved the distribution of Choose Your Voice in their district which is approximately 1100 schools potentially reaching over 23,000 students! The program has also recently been accepted by the Association of Christian Schools International of British Columbia (ACSIBC) for distribution to their affiliate Elementary schools and is being promoted by the Associate Member group of Independent Schools in BC.
|
|
International Day Against Homophobia |
|
On May 15th, 2009, representatives of Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region attended The Centre's 5th Annual Awareness Breakfast as part of the International Day Against Homophobia.
Over 350 representatives from the LGTBQ community, local politicians, and members of various community groups, organizations, and businesses such as CUPE-BC, CUP-W, City of Vancouver, BCGEU, BC Teachers' Federation, Vancouver School Board, BC Nurses Union and the Vancouver Police Department packed the room in an effort to raise awareness about homophobia.
The overarching theme for the Day was to promote intercultural dialogue with the goal of building mutual understanding and respect among diverse cultural communities and work together to end all forms of oppressions including homophobia and racism. Various speakers shared their experiences of being a member part of an ethnic community as well as the LGBTQ community.
By narrating their own experiences, the speakers from diverse backgrounds aimed to raise awareness about the many challenges they faced as immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community, as well as the challenges that arise in relationships were the partners come from very different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
CJC-PR Regional Director Romy Ritter, who was asked last minute by the organizers to say a few words, pointed out that we all have a responsibility to speak out against and combat all forms of hate and discrimination, whether it is homophobia, racism, or antisemitism. As part of CJCPR's mandate is to combat all forms of discrimination and racism, she re-affirmed CJCPR's support of the LGTBQ community in an effort to raise awareness about homophobia and combat hate and bias crimes.
The Awareness Breakfast was organized by The Centre in partnership with Vancity. Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE BC), Gay and Lesbian Business Association, Law Office of barbara findlay, LEGIT, Rainbow Refugee Committee, the Vancouver Police Department, and the Georgia Straight co-sponsored the event.
|
|
Reverend Dr. Richard Leggett Presented Morris Saltzman Award |
|
Tony DuMoulin presenting Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett with The Morris Saltzman Award
The Morris Saltzman Award, established for the former Executive Director of Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region, is presented to an individual in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Community Relations in British Columbia.
This year's recipient, Reverend Dr. Richard Leggett, was chosen for his exemplary commitment towards interfaith dialogue and peace. Rev. Dr. Leggett presently serves as the Associate Dean and Professor of Liturgical Studies at Vancouver School of Theology. In addition to his faculty responsibilities, Dr Leggett is the coordinator of Diaconal Formation in the Diocese of New Westminster, Vice President of the Anglican Theological Review and Co-chair of CJC-PR sponsored Jewish-Christian Dialogue Committee.
An outstanding academic, recipient of numerous awards, and an Anglican minister profoundly devoted to his pastoral teaching and liturgical responsibilities, Rev. Dr. Leggett is a source of inspiration for all of those who dream of a world living in peace. Guided by the principle that the perspective we choose will determine how we see the future, Rev. Dr. Leggett has chosen the path of interfaith conversation as a way of responding to our current challenging times. He has played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region sponsored Jewish-Christian Dialogue and works relentlessly to nurture this valuable initiative, which now is expanding. There is no doubt, there is an enormous task ahead, however, Rev. Dr. Leggett inspires us to renew our efforts to reach towards interfaith dialogue, regardless of the challenges this poses. As he once said:
"Challenges are real-but open hearts, open hands and open minds will discover ways of responding that are life-giving rather than life-denying."
Rev. Dr. Leggett's dedication towards peace and dialogue has deeply touched members of our community who have had the privilege to work with him. His powerful remarks at the recent Solidarity with Israel Rally in January granted him a standing ovation from the audience. Despite being in the midst of very dark times, Rev. Dr. Leggett was able to convey a message of hope and peace.
It is with great pleasure and honour that CJC-PR present the Morris Saltzman Award to Reverend Dr. Richard Leggett for his commitment, support, and outstanding contribution to Community Relations in B.C.
|
|
CJC-PR Welcomes Back Lena McLeod and Bids Fond Farewell to Rosa Sevy
|
|
Rosa Sevy and her two sons, Paul and Jon
It is hard to believe that the time has come for CJC-PR to bid a fond farewell to Rosa Sevy, who for the past year has served as Community Relations Coordinator. While we say good-bye to Rosa, we warmly welcome back Lena McLeod, who is returning to her position from her maternity leave.
Rosa's passion for working towards combating antisemitism and discrimination, her hard work on Choose Your Voice, and her dedication to the Jewish-Christian Dialogue, has been a great asset to the organization and very much appreciated. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours and while we will miss Rosa here in the office, we are very pleased that she has agreed to serve as an Officer on our board.
On behalf of the staff and Officers of CJC-PR, thank you Rosa for all of your hard work, dedication, enthusiasm, and support this past year.
|
|
View Points: Address by Incoming Chair David Schwartz |
|
Good evening. Thank you for coming to our Biennial General Meeting. I am very honoured to become Chair of Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region and am proud to represent an organization that has a long tradition of outstanding achievements in the service of the Jewish community. This is a very special year since it is CJC's 90th anniversary as well as CJC - Pacific Region's 60th anniversary.
I would like to thank our outgoing Chair, Gerry Cuttler, and the Officers for their tireless work and dedication over the past two years. Their contribution has ensured that CJC continued its legacy of being at the forefront of advocating for the welfare of the Jewish community, promoting social justice, and ensuring that antisemitism, racism, and discrimination did not go unchallenged.
I want to welcome the new board members; we are thrilled to have such a talented group of individuals joining us and we are very much looking forward to working with them. A very special thank you to those Officers who will continue to serve on the board and to the new CJCPR Executive: Vice-Chairs Richard Kurland, Mindi Cofman, Mark Wexler, our new Secretary-Treasurer, Eleanor Boyle-Rothstein, and Steve Schachter, who will continue in his role of Honourary Legal Counsel. I would like to welcome back many of our long-standing Officers-at-large for a two year term as well as those joining the CJC board for the first time. It is my pleasure to introduce our 2009- 2011 officers at large: Michael Elterman, Tim Humphries, Sara Fisher, Howard Jampolsky, Tamara Pearl, Tami Michaelson-King, Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Nava Mizrahi Rosenberg, Dan Shmilovitch, Lewis Silberberg, Robbie Waisman, Mark Weintraub, and Rosa Sevy.
CJCPR is very fortunate to have these members of our community whose abiding concern for human rights, community safety and security, social justice, and a commitment to the pursuit of a fair and inclusive society have caused them to accept positions as Officers of CJC.
CJCPR has displayed leadership in fostering interfaith initiatives and reaching out to other ethnic and minority groups in an effort to create an open dialogue. We are engaged in anti-racism educational initiatives and work with the Provincial government to organize the annual commemoration of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, in the BC Legislature. In cooperation with other community agencies we have worked to develop initiatives regarding the ongoing genocide in Darfur and responding to social issues such as the provision of affordable housing.
Fighting antisemitism is a core and primary objective of CJC, and given the current surge in antisemitism both in Canada and around the world, we believe that this will likely take up an increasingly share of our energies and efforts. The weakening global economy, radicalization of the domestic anti-Israel movement, possible fallout from Durban II and other events (including further violence in and around Israel and/or Iran) could lead to further spikes in antisemitism.
Furthermore, we will continue our longstanding advocacy with respect to combating all forms of hate and bias crime in order to protect not only our community but other vulnerable communities as well. It is our relentless pursuit and commitment towards the ideal of living in an accepting and inclusive society, free of hate, which makes us the organization we are.
CJCPR works closely and cooperatively with the police, the RCMP, the BC Hate Crime Team, and government security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for our community and institutions. CJCPR will continue to work together with Federation to continue the momentum of the highly successful Community Security Project.
CJCPR is proud of its Pacific Region Anti-Racism Education Outreach programs which provide first-hand eyewitness accounts from Holocaust, Rwandan genocide and Residential School survivors. This program assists students and educators to understand the consequences of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping in society.
Through CJC Charities Committee Pacific Region, we will continue to promote Choose Your Voice. As Gerry mentioned, to date, 32 school boards throughout BC have agreed to the promotion and/or distribution of Choose Your Voice to the elementary schools in their district.
CJC is the primary liaison with other ethno-cultural and religious communities. We undertake these activities with the view that by fostering and strengthening these relationships, we can work together towards building a more accepting and secure Canada. We are very pleased that what started as meetings with Clergy of various Christian denominations, has evolved into a fully committed Christian Jewish Dialogue Group. This interfaith initiative has gone above and beyond our expectations. Not only have we fostered understanding and goodwill between our communities, but we have created a solid and long lasting friendship among us. We plan to grow the Dialogue Group to other faith communities, particularly the Muslim community.
I will conclude by saying that CJCPR will continue to build on those initiatives in which we have invested significant time and energy over the past years and will embark on new priorities and programs to ensure that we continue to be the address and voice of the Jewish community.
Thank you for being here tonight.
|
|
An Address to the Biennial Meeting of Canadian Jewish Congress- Pacific Region May 14, 2009 by Reverend Dr. Richard Leggett |
Before any other words I may say, I begin with a heart-felt expression of thanks to the leadership and staff of the Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region. Without the unstinting financial and staff support over the years I believe that the Metro Vancouver Jewish-Christian Dialogue would have faded away. While there are many people who deserve to be named, let me name three who are here tonight: Romy Ritter, Tony DuMoulin, and Rosa Sevy. In the Christian scriptures we read this, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5.9) Romy, Tony, and Rosa, in the work you have done and are doing for our Dialogue, you are peacemakers. Thank you.
I am honoured to speak to you tonight. I must say that when I was first ordained in 1981 I did not envision a career that would have led me to stand before the biennial meeting of the Canadian Jewish Congress - Pacific Region to offer some reflections on inter-faith dialogue. I thought maybe I would serve a small parish, then a larger one, then maybe the cathedral, perhaps even be elected bishop. But, instead of this path, I went off in 1984 to do doctoral studies with a new wife in hand, received an unexpected invitation in the late autumn of 1986 to interview for a teaching post in Vancouver, then, after I had been teaching here for some time, an invitation from Rabbi Robert Daum in 2002 to participate in a renewed Jewish-Christian dialogue, occasioned by the provincial government's referendum on the rights of aboriginal citizens. Truly, God's ways are not our ways nor are God's thoughts our thoughts!
In this past seven years a small community of Jewish and Christian leaders have been involved in a dialogue that draws its impetus, in part, from our shared respect for the covenant God made with Abraham and the roles that this covenant has played in our histories and theologies. This shared commitment has led us in the last two years to seek ways to include representatives of the Muslim community as part of our 'trialogue' as we have come to call our common work......full speech
| |
|
|
|
IN PROFILE
|
 |
|
Det/Cst. Kate Caprarie
Det/Cst Kate Caprarie is one of three law enforcement officials that comprise the B.C. Hate Crime Team. The Team here in BC is the first of its kind in Canada and one of the only Teams in the country to undertake full investigations of hate motivated crimes.
Kate's passion for the pursuit of justice led her to join the Vancouver Police Department almost 18 years ago. In 2005, she joined the BC Hate Crime Team. While the Team investigates an array of crimes, each one affects a broad range of individuals and/or communities. They not only investigate crimes or incidents on behalf of an individual, but the entire community to which they are a member.
Traveling throughout the province, Det/Cst Caprarie assists with investigations and provides her law enforcement colleagues with education on how to identify and investigate crimes motivated by hate. Kate says that being a part of the Team has been a fantastic learning opportunity as it has enabled her to learn about the historical experiences of the various ethnic, religious, and minority communities that make up our wonderful province. She finds the position both satisfying and educational as it allows her to work with a wide and diverse range of individuals and communities and meet different challenges every day.
We are very fortunate to have a Team dedicated to the investigation of hate and bias crime in our province. On behalf of CJCPR and the Jewish community, we would like thank and express our deepest appreciation of Det/Cst Kate Caprarie (and the BC Hate Crime Team) for her dedication, support, and hard work.
|
| Worth Reading |
The CJC at 90
Canadian Jewish News
May 27, 2009
It was God himself who called the Jewish people "stiff-necked." He was speaking to Moses, the paradigmatic Jewish leader and teacher for all time to come. It was a severe scolding, of course, regarding the behaviour of the recently liberated slaves, but also a warning to the octogenarian law-giver that public service on behalf of the Jewish people was not an easy undertaking. As if Moses (and his brother, Aaron) didn't already know that by then....... full article
CJC 29th Plenary AssemblyTelevision coverage: CTVCity TV-TorontoFor more exciting CJC's 29th Plenary Assembly coverage, including speeches from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, recipient of the Saul Hayes Human Rights Award, The Hon. Michael Ignatieff, leader of the Liberal Party and keynote speaker, and The Hon. Jack Layton M.P. P.C., please visit www.cjc.ca.
CJC, a plenary and the Rolling Stones
Canadian Jewish News
June 3, 2009
It's amazing that the Rolling Stones are still performing after 45 years. Even more impressive is that Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) is 90 years old - twice as old, yet still strutting across the stage from end to end.
On May 31, CJC held its 29th plenary at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue. I was honoured to attend. The excitement and exuberance was palpable.........full article
90 Years and Going Strong
National Post
May 31, 2009
In 1919, the founders of the Canadian Jewish Congress foresaw a more tolerant Canada
This Sunday at its plenary assembly in Toronto the Canadian Jewish Congress will be celebrating its 90th year. And what years they have been.
For much of this period Canada was a country of quotas, restrictions and boycotts. It was -- at least in the early years -- a nation blanketed by a stifling and seemingly impenetrable anti-Semitism and xenophobia. The 204 men -- and five women -- who gathered in Montreal in 1919 at the founding plenary of the CJC knew very well that Jews were the pariahs of what was then an exclusionary culture, despised, demeaned, discriminated against, the targets of abuse from their "host" society, barred from most professions, kept out of most universities, restricted from many occupations, prevented from living and vacationing in a wide swath of Canada......full article
PM pledges law to let terror victims sue
National Post
June 1, 2009 TORONTO - Victims of terrorism could soon have the right to sue anyone who commits a terrorist act or anyone who funds terrorism, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told members of the Canadian Jewish Congress Sunday. Harper said the Conservatives will introduce legislation into the House of Commons later this week which would allow Canadian victims of terrorism to seek justice against foreign states, individuals or organizations that support terrorism. "We will introduce legislation that will give victims of terrorism the power to obtain just compensation from those responsible," Harper said..... full article
Canada's leaders swoon over IsraelToronto Star May 31, 2009 Have you hugged a Jew today? Couldn't hurt, on any day, given some worrisome trends in Canada - though less here than in Europe - to demonize both Jews and Israel, particularly via the rubric of anti-Zionism, which anybody with half a brain recognizes for what it is: The same old anti-Semitism tarted up in sleazy pedantic finery. But yesterday, at the Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda synagogue in North York, the most astonishing thing happened. Leaders of Canada's political parties got all gushy and goopy, practically falling over one another to show they love Jews - and Israel - best...... full article |
| Community Events |
Housing Forum
June 14, 2009
1 pm to 5pm
Temple Sholom Synagogue
Several Jewish organizations with interest in affordable housing are organizing a Second Housing Forum to raise and maintain awareness within the Jewish community of the need for affordable housing. It is estimated that 14% of the Jewish community living in Greater Vancouver are in Core Need; in addition there are an estimated 1,500 people who suffer mental illness, developmental disabilities or struggle with addictions and have been on housing waitlists for many years.
Several experts on this topic have been invited to speak and group discussions will be held after the presentations. At the end of the forum, a brief summary of the discussion groups will lead towards the creation of an action plan.
Keynote speakers:
· Gregory Henriquez, Architect
· Michael Geller, Architect, planner, real estate consultant, and property developer
· Karen O'Shannacery, Executive Director, Lookout Emergency Aid Society
· Jane Heyman, President, Performing Arts Lodge
· Allyson Muir, Manager, Mental Health and Addictions Housing, Vancouver Coastal Authority. For more information please visit JFGV
The Best of Hebrew U- Stretch Your MindSeptember 12-13, 2009 Please join the Canadian Friends of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem for a series of lectures featuring Key Note speaker Efraim Halevy, the former head of Mossad. For a complete list of guest speakers and lecture topics please see The Best of Hebrew U. | |
|
