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New documentary about David Matas chronicles his long career as a tireless advocate for human rights

By BERNIE BELLAN David Matas has achieved world-wide recognition for his life-long work advocating on behalf of repressed minorities throughout the world. Yet, as the same time as he is probably one of the most famous – and successful individuals working in the area of human rights, his unassuming and low key style would often belie the success he has achieved.
Now, in a new documentary film, titled “The Justice Hunter,” written and produced by Israeli-born Winnipegger Yolanda Papini-Pollock (who, many readers may also know is the founder and driving force behind the advocacy group, Winnipeg Friends of Israel), viewers are given the opportunity to see Matas’s life chronicled in a very interesting – and often revealing manner.
Papini-Pollock has produced other films centering around the subject of human rights, including “Never Again: A Broken Promise,” which drew upon the experiences of survivors of four different genocides (the Holocaust, Rwandan, Indigenous and Yazidi genocides); “Get Over It: A Path to Healing,” about the health crisis facing Canada’s Indigenous communities; and ‘Painful Truth: The Falun Gong Genocide,” which tells the story of the Chinese government’s horrible record of persecution – and often, execution of practitioners of Falun Gong. Stemming from Papini-Pollock’s documentary about the persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong, she developed a particular interest in telling David Mata’s story in some detail, since no one has done more to fight antisemitism and to bring to light China’s abysmal record of persecution of the Falun Gong than David Matas.
“The Justice Hunter,” however, conveys Papini-Pollock’s growth as a documentary movie-maker. Whereas “A Broken Promise” relied primarily upon interviews with four different subjects, “The Justice Hunter” uses a much faster-paced style of movie-making. Interspersing short snippets of interviews with such individuals whose lives have become interconnected with David Matas over the years, such as lawyer and former Canadian Minister of External Affairs Irwin Cotler, the film also features the voice of David Matas himself offering observations about various aspects of his career. As well, the film also includes footage showing in some detail how the Chinese government have been complicit in the persecution of the Falun Gong, along with an interesting segment explaining how Israelis had become prime recipients of organs harvested from executed Falun Gong members until that practice was exposed by Matas and he late David Kilgour, former Member of Parliament, in a book titled “Bloody Harvest,” which was published in 2005.

David Matas law school grad photo

The film is narrated by Leah Ross, a former lawyer and student of Matas’s herself – now a music educator with the Winnipeg School Division. Ross offers her own observations about Matas’s career and how inspiring he has been to law students such as herself. In one touching scene, a group of friends gather to celebrate Matas’s 80th birthday. As the attendees at the party sing “Happy birthday,” Matas recalls the famous opening line of Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” which, he suggests, is a fitting description of his career fighting for human rights around the world.
One especially interesting insight that Matas offers at one point is how he has been able to remain somewhat detached from all the many legal battles in which he has been immersed. He notes, for instance, that while he was subject to occasional antisemitism growing up in north end Winnipeg, his family did not experience the Holocaust, and thus, he did not carry any personal baggage when he began to invest time into dealing with others who had been undergoing persecution.
In addition to focusing on Matas’s long battle of behalf of Falun Gong practitioners, in which he worked together with David Kilgour, to expose the horrible Chinese government practice of executing Falon Gong prisoners so that their organs could be harvested, the film also depicts other battles Matas has waged, on behalf of Wiegers in China (who are Muslim), and Tamils (in Sri Lanka).
Late in the film, we meet Hannah Taylor, another young Winnipeg lawyer, who has also been inspired to work with Matas, helping him to research and prepare briefs for various international bodies around the world. (Although the film doesn’t mention it, Taylor herself achieved quite some renown when, as a very young girl here, she started something called “The Ladybug Foundation,” to help Winnipeggers experiencing homelessness.)
But perhaps as well known as Matas’ work on behalf of repressed minorities in all areas of the globe has been Matas’s efforts to combat antisemitism. As legal counsel for B’nai Brith Canada, Matas’s work investigating Nazi war criminals in Canada is also explored in the film. Snippets of interviews with Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer of B’nai Brith Canada, and Alan Yusim, former Midwest Regional Representative for B’nai Brith Canada, reveal just how extraordinary Matas’s contribution to fighting antisemitism in Canada has been for many years now.

Filmmaker Yolanda Papini-Pollock

I asked Yolanda Papini-Pollock what led her to want to make a film about David Matas’s career?
She answered: “The idea for this film came from Professor Emeritus Maria Cheung, with whom I previously collaborated on Painful Truth: The Falun Gong Genocide. In that project, we interviewed David Matas about his groundbreaking research into the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The Falun Gong community deeply appreciated David’s tireless efforts to expose these atrocities and wanted to create a tribute to honour him. Professor Cheung along with JadeRose Film and TV productions approached me with the idea, and I was delighted to take it on, as I greatly value David’s work in human rights and his contributions to not only the Jewish but also to communities across Canada and around the world.”
Papini-Pollock says it took her about a year to make the film.
I asked her though, where it might be seen?
She says “B’nai Brith Canada is planning a screening on December 17 in Winnipeg to honor David Matas’ contributions as their senior legal counsel. They also intend to host a screening in Ottawa in February.” The film can also be viewed at https://www.ntdfilms.com/the-justice-hunter/
(I would think “The Justice Hunter” would fit well into the program schedule of a network such as Vision TV, which I’ve contacted to suggest it ought to consider airing the film).
In addition to the film, “The Justice Hunter,” Papini-Pollock has also produced a picture book by the same name, intended for grade school children. She explains that “The idea for the book came to me during the production of the film. As I learned more about David, I felt it was important to share his story with young children as well. David expressed a desire for the film to inspire others to take up human rights work, and I realized that introducing his story to children could be impactful. The challenge, however, was to present his work in an age-appropriate way—something that could inspire without overwhelming or frightening young readers. Crafting a story that balanced these elements was both a struggle and a rewarding experience.”
Papini-Pollock adds that “The book is now available for purchase on various digital platforms, including Amazon, Indigo, and Barnes & Noble, in both soft cover and digital formats. Christine Melnick from Sharing the Magic of Literacy has shown interest in distributing it to schools and remote communities.”

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New play structure – “Gan Reut” (Friendship Garden) opens at Asper Campus

By BERNIE BELLAN It was a gorgeous Friday afternoon, October 3, when Lori Binder, Gray Academy Head of School (also Board of Jewish Education CEO) welcomed about 40 individuals to the opening of a brand new play structure on the Asper Campus – situated exactly where the old play structure (which had opened in 1997 with the opening of the campus) had been.
Most of the individuals who were there that day had played a role helping to see the new play structure built – either as donors, or as members of organizations that had participated in the planning and construction of the new play structure.

Gray Academy CEO Lori Binder

As Binder explained, “We wanted to call this the Friendship Garden. We wanted it to have a Hebrew name. ‘Reut’ – play, is the language of friendship and it’s also the language of learning. And so today for the very first time, as our kids were watching the structure be built – and that too was also an amazing learning tool, they began to learn to use the structure.”

Why was there a need for a new playground, some might wonder – when the old one was only 28 years old?

Binder cited several reasons for wanting a new play structure: “A lot of injuries were happening because there was pea gravel, and the pea gravel was surrounded by a border of wood. And if you did not have the ability to step over or walk through the pea gravel, you could potentially have an injury.”
She added that “pea gravel is only used in 3% of playgrounds today because you might skid and need a bandaid or have a cut.”

“But we also recognized that with the broken structure and the inability for all children in our community to play we wanted to begin to envision a new structure,” Binder added.

The actual project took shape in a relatively short period of time. Design and construction was handled by a company known as Playgrounds R Us. President of the company, Matt Lacroix, noted that “typically a playground of not even this size” would take much longer to plan and build.
“We typically work with schools probably three to five years, sometimes two. So, from start to finish, for us to start a year and a half ago to now is pretty phenomenal,” Lacroix observed.

The structure can even accommodate a child in a wheelchair – as seen in the photo above, where the young girl seated has casts on both one of her arms and one of her legs

There are many new innovations included in Gan Reut, including the resilient rubber foundation, the handicap accessible play structures (that can even accommodate children in wheelchairs) and, on an unexpectedly hot October day – something that proved to be most welcome: shade everywhere you went.

Getting the project done required cooperation among Gray Academy, the Rady JCC, and the Asper Campus. When Binder first approached the Jewish Foundation for funding assistance, however, she said that initially, “we got denied.” However, rather than that being an impediment to moving forward, Binder said “it turned out to be a blessing.”

The reason, she explained, is the Jewish Foundation “plays such an integral role in matching us with potential donors, helping us bring something to light or getting something started.”
In the case of the playground project, it was the Rich family, led by Gavin Rich, who stepped up as lead donors. There were many other donors as well. (You can see all the donors’ names in the accompanying photo.) Also, the Jewish Foundation did come through with a grant – for the rubber foundation.

Names of all the donors

Binder spoke of the important role that play serves in children’s development: “Diane Ackerman states that play is the brain’s favourite way of learning. And if you go into the daycare or into any of our early childhood classrooms, you will see that they learn through play. Dr. Stewart Brown notes that nothing lights up a child’s brain-like play. And I bet some of you will want to also play because even at as adults, we like to play.”

The blue and white colour of the playground was also a deliberate choice, Binder noted. “Blue and white,” she suggested, was “very purposely chosen to match the colour of the Israeli flag and give us a reminder every day of coming to this amazing Jewish community campus.”

When it came to planning what would go into the playground, Binder thanked Rob Berkowits from the Rady JCC and Curtis Martin from the Asper Jewish Community Campus, “who were along for the journey…We also have many of our educators, an occupational therapist, early childhood specialists, elementary specialists, student life coordinators, all coming together with all of the different ideas.”

“I have to say it is overwhelming,” Binder added. “I’ve not really been involved in such a renovation project; it’s hard to make decisions. You can have a million different kinds of playgrounds.”

Not only will the playground, however, serve as a major enhancement to be enjoyed by students at Gray Academy and the Rady JCC daycare during weekdays, it will be open to everyone in the community 24/7, Binder noted.

Rady JCC CEO Rob Berkowits

Following Binder’s remarks, attendees heard from Rob Berkowits, CEO of the Rady JCC, who acknowledged the key role Binder had played in bringing the project to fruition: “I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Lori Binder, Head of School at Gray Academy, for unwavering leadership in bringing this vision to life.”

Member of Asper Jewish Community Campus Board Jill Winograd

Finally, Jill Winograd, who was representing the Asper Jewish Community Campus, offered remarks: “Spaces like this are more than slides or swings. They’re about belonging, imagination, and giving kids a safe place to grow together. So this project wasn’t about starting fresh, but renewal, taking something well used.

“So what makes this playground matter isn’t just the newer equipment or the safer surfaces, but the thoughtfulness behind it. Accessible roots, quiet corners. And spaces that welcome kids, parents and grandparents together. It’s built for inclusion and community. And I think grandparents is such a key word here because it’s really so lovely to see from our sponsors how many are in memory of grandparents and how special that time is at the playground for them.”

Ribbon cutting by Gavin Rich and Marni Slonim

And, with that – and a ceremonial ribbon cutting by Gavin Rich and Marni Slonim, Grade 2 students from Gray Academy descended upon the structure – many with parents in tow, to demonstrate all the many features of the beautiful new playground.

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Gray Academy registration numbers continuing their upward trajectory

Gray Academy Head of School Lori Binder

By MYRON LOVE Lori Binder, Gray Academy’s Head of School and CEO of the Winnipeg Board of Jewish Education, is happy to report that this year’s enrolment stands at 517 – the highest back-to-school number since 2013-2014.  “We have had to add a second Junior Kindergarten class and, for the second consecutive year, a third kindergarten class,” she says.
Gray Academy students speak of feeling safe and being able to connect with their roots.  As Binder points out, many of the students have parents and even grandparents who attended Gray Academy or its founding high school, Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. In addition, 25% of the staff are Gray Academy alumni. 
 
The school also plays an integral role in helping families moving to Winnipeg from Israel, Argentina, Brazil and other countries to adapt to their new homes.  Over the past two years, the EAL (English as an additional language) program has expanded significantly to accommodate growing needs.
Gray Academy is one of the only JK-12 Jewish day schools in Canada. The school remains committed to academic excellence, along with programming that builds community and connection. Gray Academy was the first Jewish day school in Canada to receive accreditation from Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), a community of independent schools that meet and exceed rigorous national standards that inspire excellence and ongoing school improvement.
 
New this year, Binder notes, is the just-built AJCC Gan Re’ut (Friendship Garden), a fully accessible playground that children of all ages and abilities can use and enjoy. A new rubber foundation and accessible equipment make the new playground safer and more accessible for everyone.
She further reports that the four-year-old Gray Academy-Tough Duck Community Ice Rink, located on Danzker Field, has been enhanced with an asphalt base so that the facility can be used year-round for a wider variety of activities.
The school has also expanded its after-school music programs this year. In addition to traditional band and drumline programs, students can also take part in jazz, rock and vocal ensembles.
 
Binder notes that parents and grandparents of children are welcome to engage with the school.  “Last year we launched a new “Grandpals” program for grandparents,” she says.  “We offer several different ways for grandparents or any special seniors in students’ lives to engage with the school while being able to see their grandchildren.”
 
And did I mention that, over the years, Gray Academy’s outstanding debating program has been placing very well in national and international competitions?
In terms of tefillah and spirituality, Binder reports that the school is building on past informal connections with local clergy to allow more student interaction with our community’s rabbis and cantors.  Throughout the year, clergy from various congregations will be coming in to the school in a more formal way.
 
A very important part of Gray Academy’s mission is fostering a love of Israel.  Over the years, quite a few Gray Academy graduates have made Aliyah.
 
An important part of Israel education has been the nearly 30-year-long Jewish Federation of Winnipeg P2G (Partnership 2Gether) student and teacher exchange programs linking Gray Academy high school students with their counterparts at Danciger High School in the northern Israeli community of Kiryat Shmona and Nachshonei Hachula Elementary School in Yesod Hamala in the Hula Valley. For many years, Gray Academy would send groups of six to eight Grade 10 and 11 students to visit Danciger. Likewise, Danciger would send students to visit Gray Academy. 
In fact, a group of Danciger students and faculty happened to be in Winnipeg on October 7, 2023. When the group was forced unexpectedly to extend their stay in Winnipeg until flights to Israel could resume, Danciger students and staff participated in our community’s subsequent show of support for our brothers and sisters in Israel.
 
While the program has been paused since then, Binder reports that she was in Israel in July and visited both schools.  “With many Israelis having been able to return to their homes in the north after nearly 18 months of displacement, we are hoping to restart the exchange programs in the spring,” she says. 
 
Binder adds that two young Israelis volunteering with Shaarey Zedek Congregation in something called the “ShinShinim program” (which is a year of service in the Diaspora prior to serving in the IDF) have recently arrived in Winnipeg and will be paying weekly visits to the school. The Jewish Agency for Israel’s ShinShinim program sends Israeli Grade 12 graduates to Jewish communities in the diaspora to enhance the teaching of Hebrew and love for Israel. 
 
To commemorate October 7, the school – for the third year in a row – will be holding “Havdallah for Hope,”  a memorial program for high school students, followed by Havdalah for the entire student body and community guests.
Binder points out that the school has a strong focus on affordability.  “It is very important to us that no child is turned away because a family can’t afford to pay,” she says.
 
She notes that Manitoba is one of only a few Canadian provinces that fund independent schools such as Gray Academy, with the school receiving approximately 50% of comparable public school funding per student.  Binder adds that the school offers a robust Bursary Assistance program, strongly supported by funding from the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg’s Combined Jewish Appeal. “Over 60% of our families receive some level of bursary support,” she reports.  “We work with every family to ensure that no child is ever turned away because of inability to cover the full parental contribution.”
 
Just weeks into the new school year, Gray Academy is already looking ahead to enrolment for next September. 
 
For more information about what Gray Academy has to offer and application dates, phone 204 477-7425 or email admissions@grayacademy.ca.

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Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper headlines B’nai Brith Canada’s 150th anniversary celebration

Ben Mulroney with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper

By MYRON LOVE There have been very few – if any – Western leaders who have been more supportive of Israel and the Jewish people than Stephen Harper.  On Wednesday, September 10, Canada’s former prime minister (2006-16) was the guest of honour at B’nai Brith Winnipeg’s gala evening in celebration of B’nai Brith’s 150th anniversary.
In a fireside chat with media personality Ben Mulroney, Harper demonstrated that he continues to maintain his moral clarity.
Two hundred B’nai Brith supporters showed up at the Fort Garry Hotel to celebrate the longevity of Canada’s oldest human rights organization. The discussion between Harper and Mulroney was preceded by about 90 minutes of fine dining and shmoozing.  The formal program began with Dr. Ruth Ashrafi, B’nai Birth Canada’s Winnipeg Regional Director, reciting a prayer for the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
Ashrafi introduced B’nai Brith Canada COO Judy Foldes and Jay Harris, Chair of B’nai Brith Canada’s Board, – who were both in town for the event – along with Simon Wolle, BBC’s new CEO, who is replacing the late and much appreciated Michael Mostyn.
Just before Harper and Mulroney began their conversation, Mulroney  spoke with Jay Harris via video about the organization’s storied history and ongoing wrap-around services.  Mulroney highlighted B’nai Brith’s long record of fighting antisemitism  and advocating for human rights and its many programs aimed at bringing people together and  helping the needy – not only in the Jewish community but in the broader community as well.    
Stephen Harper congratulated B’nai Brith on its 150th anniversary and praised the organization for its unflinching efforts in pushing back against antisemitism and fighting for human rights.
“I really grieve for the Jewish people” he continued.  “I understand how tough it is out there right now. When I took strong stands in support of Israel as prime minister, I always believed that the great majority of Canadians supported my positions.  They were just quiet about it.  While the loudest voices get all the attention,  I still believe that most Canadians still quietly support Israel and understand that not only is Israel a democratic sates and an ally, but also that the Jewish people in Canada have made such a disproportionate contribution to our business life, charitable life, and public service. So just know that you are widely appreciated across the country.”
Following some discussion on the assassination of young American conservative leader Charlie Kirk a couple of weeks ago, the dangerous state of public discourse in the United States and concomitant worsening situation in that regard in Canada as well, Harper commented that “I just hope that people on both sides of the border will begin to pull back and can engage in vigorous arguments without ostracization, cancellation and assassination,” he said.
In response to a question from Mulroney about what is driving antisemitism in Canada, Harper suggested that “we have allowed certain institutions to make antisemitism – framed a certain way – socially and politically acceptable.  After the Second World War,” he noted, “we, as a society, agreed that what we considered far right ideology– the idea that dividing people into categories – with some groups considered  superior to others –  and the people in inferior groups could be discriminated against, marginalized and, ultimately, killed – was socially and politically unacceptable – beyond the pale. 
“But we have permitted in our universities and media the idea to germinate far left ideology, but that is the mirror image of the far right – that people can be divided into oppressors and oppressed – and that the oppressors can be ostracized, marginalized and killed.  This is rampant in academic institutions – institutions that we overwhelmingly fund with public money – given on the basis that they represent free and democratic values such as individual, human dignity and small l liberal values. This should not be acceptable”
“This is not just about the Jews,” he added. “It is an entire intellectual framework and people who propagate it should be defunded and removed from their posts.   My father taught me that antisemitism, no matter from the left or the right, is the first sign of a political movement and a society going to a dangerous extreme,” Harper said.
Mulroney observed that anti-Israel, antisemitic groups can never be propitiated. (Ed. note: I had to look up the meaning of “propitiated.” Here’s what I found:
Mulroney continued: “We have the most pro-Palestinian government in our history, yet we still see protests popping up in front of government ministers’ homes.”
In response to Mulroney’s questions, Harper pointed out the long-standing and close friendship between Canada and Israel (at least up until this current federal government).  “There should be no question that Israel has the right to exist,” he stated, “and every country should be fighting terrorism.”
In response to a question about why Canada should support Israel, Harper noted that it is not about geopolitics or religion, it is a matter of basic common sense.  “Israel and Canada are both free and democratic countries,” he pointed out.  “The friends of Israel are friends of Canada. The enemies of Israel are enemies of Canada – who are also intent on destroying Canada.  If the leaders of a country don’t get that, I don’t know what they understand about international affairs. To me, it is distressing that you have to explain this to so many world leaders.”
Mulroney asked Harper about the worldwide condemnation of Israel for “escalating the conflict by taking out Hamas leaders in Qatar. 
“This not escalation,” Harper said. “This is de-escalation. By taking out Hezbollah, Israel has made Lebanon a better place. And the subsequent fall of Assad in Syria has made Syria a better place – although the jury is still out on that.  The Israeli and American bombing of Iran has made the world a safer place.
“When I was prime minster, I was in virtually daily battles with the people in Canada’s Foreign Affairs department who wanted to oppose Israel,” he recalled.  “It was just so ingrained.  I saw it in a lot of other Western foreign affairs departments.” 
One of Israel’s challenges, Harper pointed out, is that while there are 50 Muslim states (not all of them hostile to Israel ) in the  world and 25 Arab states, there is only one Jewish state.  He recalled that, “Too often, diplomats see their responsibility not in representing the interests of their home countries but rather, representing the global community.
“With so many more Muslim and Arab states, he observed, “it is all too easy to go along with the consensus to get along.”
Harper noted that in many of his meetings with foreign leaders, they privately agreed with him – but they didn’t want to fight the media and the academic establishment, so they just went along.  “That is not leadership,” he said. “And leaders who don’t support Israel are jeopardizing their own countries’ future.”
Turning to the political situation in Canada, Harper was strongly critical of the Trudeau government which, he said, left Canada in a really bad place.  He is hopeful that Mark Carney, our current prime minister, will adopt many of the policies that Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre is proposing, and make the necessary changes. If not, he noted, there will be a change in government.
In closing, Ruth Ashrafi thanked Earl and Cheryl Barish, the honorary gala co-chairs, noting how much their generosity and leadership has enriched both our Jewish and the wider community at large.  

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