Shimon Peres UJA Federation Event Ushers in Jewish Heritage Month in Style

By Daniel Horowitz—It would be hard to imagine a more fitting way to usher in the inaugural Jewish Heritage Month in Ontario than by welcoming the President of Israel to town, and that’s precisely what happened on Wednesday, May 9th.

Billed as “A Special Evening with President Peres,” the event, organized by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, saw a capacity crowd of over 3,000 enthusiastic Peres supporters fill Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for what was just that, a special evening. After an emotional and compelling address by Master of Ceremonies Robert Lantos, the celebrated Canadian Producer behind such blockbusters as Barney’s Version and Eastern Promises, Toronto’s own David Frum, a CNN contributor, journalist, author, and political advisor joined President Peres onstage for what could best be described as a “fireside chat” - sans the fire.

Despite nearing his 90th year, President Peres charmed the audience with his intellect and his wit. While discussing the current situation in the Middle East with regards to the Arab Spring, President Peres told Frum about a conversation he has had with his American President Barack Obama. He asked me 'who is against democracy in the Middle East?'" said Peres. “I told him ‘the husbands.” The laughter the president received would have made Jerry Seinfeld, who performed at the Sony Centre just days earlier, envious.

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Attention:

There will be no consular services on Wednesday, May 9^th

Michelle Bitran, Intern, Friday, May 4, 2012

TORONTO — Amir Gissin, consul general of Israel in Toronto and Western Canada, was received by a roomful of applause at the 16th annual Hillel Student Awards ceremony last week.

The message that garnered the enthusiastic cheers was no doubt something the students wanted to hear: “Don’t get old too quickly,” he said. “For the moment you’ll be more successful if you continue to be wild.”

Gissin was called to the podium in the packed basement of the University of Toronto’s Wolfond Centre for Jewish Campus Life to receive the Founding Friend of the Campus Award. This honour, reserved for those who have made an outstanding contribution to Jewish student life, was also bestowed on Allen Berg, the sponsor of the Harvey’s Table affordable kosher meals on campus initiative.

The student winners of the evening came from campuses across Toronto, including York University, U of T, Ryerson University, George Brown College and OCAD University.  This past year saw a marked growth in Jewish student involvement particularly at Ryerson and George Brown, both schools with fewer Jewish students.

“It’s a privilege to meet and work with such amazing students that we have here in Toronto,” said Lindy Goodman, the outgoing chair of the board of directors of Hillel of Greater Toronto. She spoke at the beginning of the ceremony, along with the organization’s executive director Zac Kaye and student MCs Isaac Kates Rose and Polina Isakharova.

All the speakers expressed enthusiasm about Hillel’s recent initiative to reach out to both Jewish and non-Jewish students and groups on campus in an effort to create a more inclusive and co-operative campus environment. “Today we see the result of that,” said Gissin, referring to the importance of this kind of outreach. “We see the results in every campus. We see the decline of those who are working against us.”

Some of the awards presented for these new initiatives include the Chefs for Peace Award, won by Maxa Sawyer, Avram Heisler, Lisa Wilder, Ishraq Alim, Eitan Gilboord and Mitch Reiss; the Black Jew Dialogue Award, won by Christopher Better, Johann Keens and Mitch Reiss, and the TGIF Award, won by Ishraq Alim and Marty Rotenberg.

Hillel of Greater Toronto has also been making efforts to expand its reach within the Jewish community, with new programs for Russian Jews, Israelis and Jewish students interested in media and the arts.

Some awards given for the first time this year include the Julie M. Gallery Emerging Jewish Artist Fellowship, awarded to Dov Smiley, Rebecca Ihilchik, Liat Shalom,

Shlomi Amiga and Dorona Zierler, as well as the Top Score Media Fellowship, awarded to Alan Hudes.

Toward the end of the ceremony, Shelly Feld, the incoming chair of the board of directors, presented the Outstanding Alumni Award to former York U student Ryan Levey. Feld emphasized the importance of staying involved in the Jewish community after graduation and of continuing to make a meaningful contribution to Jewish life as an adult.

“This is a first and early step in your journey,” he said to the award winners in the audience, “but we hope you will stay involved.”

BUILDING BRIDGES AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE ISRAELI CONSULATE HONOURS FIVE OUTSTANDING PLAYERS IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ON THE OCCASION OF YOM HA’ATZMAUT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, April 26, 2012 – With the 64th anniversary of Israel’s Independence approaching and the outgoing Consul General Amir Gissin, a champion for bridge building initiatives; the Israeli Consulate is recognizing key individuals and organizations that have supported them in strengthening ties with other communities. This year the honorees will be: Canadian Friends of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, JVS Toronto, Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee, Mr. Sidney Greenberg and Dr. Aubrey Zidenberg. The Honorable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources will be representing the Federal government on this occasion.

Canadian Friend’s of Hebrew University: The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto is recognizing The Hebrew University for their support and commitment to facilitating academic and research partnerships between Canada and Israel as well as establishing scholarships, supporting research and cultivating student and faculty exchanges. Hebrew University has accomplished groundbreaking work at the University of Manitoba to eliminate effects of fetal alcohol syndrome and has a world leading initiative aiding First Nations in Manitoba. They have supported the Consulate in many initiatives in bringing communities together and continue to be a spotlight on Israel’s advanced accomplishments.

JVS Toronto: The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto is recognizing JVS Toronto for their consistent commitment to building bridges between the Jewish community and other communities across Toronto. One of JVS’ main objectives is to respond to the emerging needs of the broader community through collaboration with others. To fulfill this objective, the Building Bridges Committee was started in 2010 to identify ways to build bridges between the Jewish community and other communities from diverse backgrounds in order to promote understanding and cooperation as well as enhance the capacity of all communities in the GTA. Consul General Amir Gissin’s vision of Jewish organizations reaching out to diverse communities inspired Karen Goldenberg the outgoing JVS CEO to begin the JVS Building Bridges Committee to reach out to ethno-specific communities. Today, Frank Markel the incoming CEO continues to provide leadership in advancing the Building Bridges vision.

Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee: The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto is recognizing Ve’ahavta for its steadfast commitment to helping the needy through volunteerism, education, health and healing, while building bridges between the Jewish community and other communities. Among many projects Ve’ahavta has developed a Project entitled The Street Academy which is an eight-week program, in partnership with George Brown College, for people who live on or near the streets of Toronto. A project such as the Street Academy changes the lives of individuals and truly repairs the world, one person at a time. We salute Ve’ahavta for their determination in bringing Tikun Olam, to life.

Sidney Greenberg: The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto is recognizing Mr. Sidney Greenberg, Vice President of Astral Media, an active philanthropist, board member to numerous committees in Toronto and internationally, for his unwavering supporter of the Israeli Consulate General in Toronto. Sidney Greenberg and Shoshana Rabinowitz have acted as motivating partners supplying us with inspiration and resources for projects aimed at strengthening the cooperation between Israel and Canada both in professional capacities and, most importantly on student campuses. Without their championing support, the Consulate General of Israel would not have had the resources to complete a multitude of projects. Even with their busy schedules, they have always made time to discuss matters pertaining to Israel and it is with great honor and gratitude that we present Sidney with this award as a token of our appreciation.

Dr. Aubrey Zidenberg: The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto is recognizing Dr. Aubrey Zidenberg, International Vice President of B'nai Brith Canada and Chair of the Special Advisory Council to the League for Human Rights. Dr. Zidenberg has exemplified the consulate’s vision of building bridges between communities by bringing leaders from various cultures together on a regular basis to highlight the challenges and successes facing the various populations. Through this project, Dr. Zidenberg has opened many doors to the Consulate and has been a dependable resource for the bridge building mission. Dr. Zidenberg teamed up with the consulate and brought members of the advisory council to Israel. Upon their return, they have been advocates for Israel in their own communities. We would not have made the progress we have today, without his exceptional work.

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