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Dear Friend,
I am pleased to be able to share with you some insights from the Foreign Ministry's annual Heads of Delegation Conference, which brings all our Ambassadors and Consuls-General home for an intense week of policy and operational deliberations.
 The conference included addresses by President Shimon Peres - who spoke with characteristic optimism - and Prime Minister Netanyahu - who spoke with equally characteristic sobriety and caution. In many ways the presentations of these two leaders captured much of the national mood that one feels at this time, as citizens of all political backgrounds try to come to terms with the competing personalities and political agendas before casting their ballots on January 22.
We also received security and regional briefings from the MFA's Head of Policy Planning, the Head of the Center for Policy Research, the MFA's Deputy Director General for Strategic Affairs, the Head of the Shin Bet, the National Security Advisor and the IDF's Planning Directorate, all of which leave little room to doubt that regional instability and uncertainty will continue to accompany us through the coming year.
Other highlights included site visits to one of Israel's world-leading water desalinization plants, a survey of our Iron Dome Missile Defense system, and a presentation at Ashkelon's Barzilai hospital on how medical care is maintained even under rocket fire from neighboring Gaza.
The sense of Israeli indomitability was profound and inspiring at each of these sites, and served as a welcome counterbalance to the many challenges covered in other sessions. Israel is indeed a country with many challenges, but it is a society which also knows how to find solutions, many of them - such as the desalinization technologies - directly relevant to other people's lives, not only our own.
Together with colleagues from other North American cities we also held lengthy discussions on enhancing Israeli engagement with the Reform movement, and we visited the Kotel to see first-hand the current arrangements to facilitate non-orthodox prayer at the site.
All in all, a wonderful injection of substance and context which will inform our work here in Toronto and the Western provinces in the coming months.
DJ Schneeweiss
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Welcome to the Israeli Consulate newsletter - a window onto the work of the Consulate and onto Israel itself, in all its richness and variety. In this periodic email, we provide updates and insights regarding the political issues of the day, as well as information and links to content which showcases the richness and creativity of life in Israel, with a particular focus on the cultural, technological and economic dimensions.
If you have ideas on how we might enhance the newsletter and make it even more relevant to the interests and needs of our Canadian friends and partners, please let us know. We welcome your feedback.
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First-time voter Lior Niv casts her ballot in Toronto, January 10th 2013
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Israeli Elections Come to Canada
Israel is heading to the polls on January 22nd, but the elections have already reached Canada. On January 10th, diplomats and other eligible emissaries (25 in all) cast their votes at the Israeli Consulate.
For background, insight and analysis on the elections, including the latest polls, see:
Haaretz elections focus
Times of Israel comprehensive series analyzing voter preferences and concerns.
BICOM spotlight, including polling tracker and background factsheets.
MFA Backgrounder
Israel Joins UNICEF Executive Board
Israel has become a member of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board, as of 1 January 2013. This is the first time in 40 years (and the third time ever) that Israel has served in this position. Read More
Addressing Religious Pluralism at the Western Wall
PM Netanyahu has appointed Jewish Agency head Natan Sharansky to find a solution for women who want to pray at the Wall without restrictions. Read More
Two Israeli films have been nominated for Best Documentary at the forthcoming Oscar Awards. For more details, read here.
 Israel Economic Statistics for 2012
Israel's economy grew an estimated 3.3% in 2012, its slowest pace in three years due to scant export growth, but still outperformed many other developed countries.Read More
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CG Schneeweiss attended the Foreign Ministry's annual Heads of Delegation Conference in Jerusalem over the winter break. See our featured article for his review.
On December 10th CG Schneeweiss joined the Temple Sinai community and ARZA Canada for a screening of Israel Inside by Dr. Tal Ben Shahar, an inspiring movie which explores the origins of Israel's innovation excellence.
On December 11th at the Schwartz-Reisman Centre CG Schneeweiss held an open discussion with members of Toronto's Israeli community, as part of a broader program of engagement designed to connect this large community both to Israel's national agenda vis-à-vis Canada and to the Jewish community in Toronto.
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On December 12th, 2012 the Consul General hosted Jewish student leaders from the full array of pro-Israel groups active on campus for a discussion on the challenges of Israel advocacy in the coming year and possible avenues of cooperation and synergy across the many pro-Israel platforms and initiatives.
On December 18th CG Schneeweiss spoke at Temple Har Zion on the challenges and opportunities facing Israel in 2013.
On December 21-22 the Consulate hosted an expert on Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense system, in partnership with Torah in Motion.
You can follow the Consulate's activities directly on Twitter or Facebook and the Consul General on Twitter @DjSchneeweiss and Facebook.
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 For the developing world, Israeli lessons in innovationSpecial to National Post Dec 18, 2012 Through partnerships with other developed countries, such as the agreement we signed with Canada, Israel looks forward to ... a future in which like-minded countries can collaborate and share expertise and innovation to work with the developing world and bring about a lasting, sustainable improvement in health, education, gender equality, economy, and society as a whole. Overheated rhetoric on Israeli settlements Washington Post, Jan. 1, 2013 This is a difficult issue that should be settled at the negotiating table, not by fiat. But Mr. Netanyahu's zoning approval is hardly the "almost fatal blow" to a two-state solution that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described. For a more detailed study of the question of the impact of settlements and the ability to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, see here. Working to make Canada's Jewish Community Feel Safe An NP interview with Doron Horowitz, National Security Director for CIJA, in which he outlines his approach to raising awareness and preparedness within the community. Palestinian PM blasts Arab donors A dose of perspective, as PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad points the finger at the Arab states for failing to meet their promises of support, saying his government as a result is close to being 'completely incapacitated'. Iron Dome Saves Lives An informative National Post interview with an engineer on Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense Project, highlighting how Iron Dome saves lives - Israeli and Palestinian. Both Israelis, Palestinians Conflicted over Two State Solution - Polling shows that Israel's apparent shift to the right is a result of skepticism regarding Palestinian intentions (CIJA) Israel Advocacy on Campus - It's Easier Than You Think - An on the ground perspective on how pro-Israel battles can be fought and won on campus (CIJA/HonestReporting) A Golden Age? - A thought-provoking piece on the state of Canadian Jewry at this time (CIJA) |
 Israeli Election Results Conference Call with CG Schneeweiss on January 22, 2013. Please contact Joyce Ritter at info@toronto.mfa.gov.il if you are interested in joining the Conference Call.
CG Schneeweiss will also be participating in an Election Night Panel in Toronto hosted by CIJA , January 22, 2013
Focus on Young Jewish Leadership, together with UJA Federation's Joshua Institute, January 14-17.
An exhibition presenting the story of Sweden's Raoul Wallenberg and his role in saving thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust - at the Toronto Reference Library from January 12-23, 2013.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day falls on Sunday,
January 27, 2013. The Canadian Society for Yad Vashem will be holding a special ceremony to mark the occasion. For further details, see here.
Tu Bishvat Upside Down Day, in partnership with the UJA Federation Israel Engagement Committee, Associated Hebrew Day School, The Robbins Hebrew Academy and Leo Baeck School, January 28, 2013.
Prof. Alean Al-Krenawi, President of Achva College (the first non-Jew to be president of an Israeli college) will be in Toronto on February 13-14 and will meet with Jewish leaders and local universities.
Prof. Jodi Magness, who headed excavations at Huqoq in the Galilee, has been invited by the Consulate General of Israel and the Institute for Mediterranean Studies at the University of Toronto to meet with colleagues and students at the Centre for Jewish Studies at U of T, as well as the Dept. of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and the ROM. She will give amajor public lecture at St. Michael 's College
at U of T on the evening of March 14, 2013.
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The end of 2012 brought us some great best-of lists on Israeli arts that was made in Israel. Check out the BEST IN MUSIC and a FILM ROUNDUP and here's a treat for fans of architecture. Luminato Festival Artistic Director Jorn Weisbrodt blogs about his trip in December to scout dance companies in Israel for International Exposure 2012 http://www.luminato.com/in-the-holy-land/ Turning our gaze closer to home, in visual arts this January: In downtown Toronto The Koffler Gallery Off-Site presents Saskachewan artist Clint Neufeld in a solo exhibition (note the artist talk on January 13); in North York Miriam Unger Ben-Zeev's artworks will be exhibited in the Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery, Columbus Centre.  Tip time: Here's a not-to-miss concert- On January 27 at 3:00 pm Soundstreams presents The Three Faces Of Jerusalem at Koerner Hall, the stunning 1,135 seat concert hall. An afternoon of music and poetry inspired by the traditions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, this concert features Israeli oud player Yair Dalal, French singer Françoise Atlan, members of the Toronto Consort and readings by Diego Matamoros. Tickets start at just $20! Call 416-408-0208 or buy online now.
If you have a cultural event you would like to have featured in our newsletter, please send an email to culture@toronto.mfa.gov.il and include the word "Feature" in the subject line. |
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Israel's BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics signs agreement with Ontario's Octane Biotech
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics signed an agreement with Octane Biotech of Kingston, Ontario, to jointly develop a proprietary bioreactor for production of its NurOwn stem cell therapy candidate. Read More
The most promising Israeli startups for 2013
This year Tel Aviv was ranked second in the global list of high-tech hubs (only Silicon Valley was ranked higher). Orli Yakuel, writing for TNW, gives us the rundown on the coolest Israeli startups to keep an eye on in 2013. Read More
For a full review of Israel's hi-tech industry in 2012, see the Israel Advanced Technology Industries association report here.
Google launches Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library
On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the discovery of
 the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Israel Antiquities Authority and Google have launched the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library website where you can experience, view, examine, and explore this collection of over 5000 images of Dead Sea Scrolls, in a quality never seen before.
For more innovation, business and economic news, visit the Israel Economic Mission to Canada website at www.itrade.gov.il/canada/
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2012 breaks record for incoming tourism
Some 3.5 million tourists entered Israel in 2012, an increase of 4% over last year's figures. The US - despite a drop of 4% from last year - remained the country sending the highest number of tourists to Israel: 610,000 in 2012. Russia, on the other hand, saw a 20% increase in visitors to Israel; it was a close second behind the US with 590,000 visitors.
For more tourism news from Israel, check out the Israel Government Tourist Office website at www.goisrael.ca
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