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Winnipeg Jewish community organizations take steps in reaction to spread of Coronavirus

Covid 191By BERNIE BELLAN

(Posted March 13, 5:00 pm, updated March 14, 15, 16, 17) As governments, businesses, and organizations throughout the world assess just what steps are necessary to take in order to halt the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Jewish organizations in Winnipeg have also begun to adopt new measures in reaction to the extraordinarily swift spread of the pandemic.

 Posted Tuesday, March 17

2020 JFM Luncheon in support of the Women’s Endowment Fund cancelled

The following statement was issued by the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba this afternoon:

It is with profound disappointment that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Jewish Foundation of Manitoba Luncheon in support of the Women’s Endowment Fund.

Due to an abundance of caution concerning the COVID-19 virus, the Foundation feels it is our responsibility to be proactive, and conscious of the safety and well being of our community during this unprecedented time.

We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors and ticket holders for your gracious support! In the coming days, JFM staff will be reaching out to everyone who has purchased tickets or given sponsorship.

 

48th Annual Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner Cancelled Due to Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic

In an effort to mitigate any potential spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) illness, the 48th Annual Rady JCC Ken Kronson Sports Dinner has been cancelled. It was scheduled to take place Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg.

“The health and safety of our supporters and our community is paramount,” said Al Greenberg, 2020 Rady JCC Sports Dinner Committee Chair. “While we are all extremely disappointed, this was a simple decision to make. We must do our part in the global fight of curbing this pandemic.”

This will mark the first time in its 48 year history the annual fundraiser will not be held.

“We will be directly contacting all of our ticket purchasers and sponsors in the coming days to let them know what their options are going forward,” said Greenberg. “For now, we ask everyone to stay safe and maintain social distancing.”

The event was to feature NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman as its keynote speaker with Carol and Neil Duboff as this year’s Sports Dinner Honourees. Title Sponsors were Paul Winestock and Brendan Rodgers of RBC Wealth Management Dominion Securities.

The annual event – the largest of its kind in Manitoba – raises funds to enable the Rady JCC to provide scholarships, camperships, and community service programs for those in the community who need them most regardless of financial situation, ability, age, or cultural background.

 

Posted Monday, March 16 4:30 pm:

In the latest developments the Rady JCC and the Shaarey Zedek have now shut down operations completely – except for the day care operations run by the Rady JCC. Here are emails received from Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the Rady JCC and from the Shaarey Zedek:

I am sharing information about the ongoing status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it relates to all Rady JCC operations going forward. Please remember the health and safety of our Rady JCC members, stakeholders, and staff must be our top priority with every decision our Board of Directors make.

Over the last 72 hours, multiple new cases of COVID-19 have been identified throughout Canada including here in Winnipeg. The Manitoba Health Minister is suggesting that citizens do not partake in large public gatherings where the risk of COVID-19 spread can increase. We are also anticipating the provincial and federal governments to make announcements shortly calling for the closure of all non-essential services.

As of 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2020, we have shut down all Rady JCC operations for the foreseeable future. All off-site Rady JCC programming is cancelled/postponed until further notice as well.

 

From the Shaarey Zedek:

In consultation with staff and our Board Executive, it has been decided that as a precautionary measure we will be Closing Congregation Shaarey Zedek effective immediately for all Services and Programs scheduled to be held in our synagogue.

The building itself will remain open but operating on a limited staff basis. The reduced operating hours for the building will be 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Our Rabbis and Lay Clergy will be here for consultation and can be reached as follows:

 

Posted Friday, March 13:

On Thursday, March 12 the Jewish Learning Institute (of Chabad Winnipeg) issued an email announcing that an event that was to take place on Wednesday, March 18, a “Challah Bake”, was now being taken “online” instead.

The email stated that “In light of the recent developments regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and following recommendations from Canada.ca guidance documents, we have decided to take the Challah Bake online.

“The event will be streamed live at the original date and time, at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 18. Now everyone can participate from the comfort and safety of their homes. All ticket holders will receive an email on Wednesday morning with a link to the live feed.”

On Friday, March 13, the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada announced that the Kanee Lecture, which was to delivered by Daniel Gordis on May 13, has been postponed until the fall. JHCWC Executive Director Belle Jarniewski explained that Gordis is currently in Israel and, as flights from Israel have been drastically curtailed for the time being, the decision was taken to postpone the lecture.

The Jewish Federation has been in constant contact with Jewish organizations – as events have been fast moving. One of the first cancellations announced by the Federation was the March of the Living, which was scheduled to take place beginning April 21 in Poland. Elaine Goldstine, CEO of the Federation, said that she was sad to have to tell the 24 students who had signed up from Manitoba that this year’s march had to be cancelled.

In an email sent to this paper Friday morning March 13, Goldstine wrote that “We do have a plan moving forward. The campus ramped up cleaning procedures as well. We sent a email to our staff and to our beneficiary agencies about staying home if sick, wash hands more frequently, etc . Campus has provided disinfectant wipes for all offices.”

Later in the afternoon Goldstine issued an email, which said in part: “I want to assure you that we are taking proactive measures to ensure that the Asper Jewish Community Campus and the facilities contained herein are safe, clean and that there are protocols in place to ensure that they stay that way. There are currently no plans to close the facilities to visitors, however, certain programs and events may be rescheduled or canceled. Updates pertaining to community programs or events will be communicated by their respective planners.”

The Shaarey Zedek did not cancel Saturday services, although the synagogue did issue this notice:

Services

We are still planning for Shabbat Services (including our Family Service) to be held here tomorrow morning and for the immediate future. There will be some modifications during the services to reduce personal contacts including holding the services in the Sanctuary which provides for more social distancing (more room to spread out). We have created new copies of our Shabbat Siddur. We will provide brand new Kippot for those that require them and ask that you keep them for your personal use. Do not return them to the basket! Daily Minyans are still being held.

Shabbat Kiddush

Services will be followed by our traditional Kiddush as usual. However, there will be some modifications, most notably being that our serving staff will be responsible for providing the food as opposed to the usual practise of everyone helping themselves. This provides an extra layer of protection for each one of us.

The Rady JCC has canceled all cultural programming. On Friday afternoon, March 13, Rob Berkowits, Executive Director of the Rady JCC, issued the following email (abridged): Today, we have made the correct decision to postpone/cancel all events effective now until April 28, 2020. As of right now, the Fitness Centre will remain open.

The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre has postponed its next production, “Narrow Bridges”, which was scheduled to open March 28. It is now slated to run next year.

We contacted Faith Kaplan of the Adas Yeshurun-Herzlia Congregation to ask whether the Caroline Glick lecture, scheduled for May 4, has either been postponed or canceled. As of the time of writing this, no decision has been taken.

As further updates occur, we will post them to this website.

Posted March 14: We have been advised that a program planned for Sunday, March 15 celebrating the legacy of Jews & chess in Winnipeg, which was to have taken place in the Multipurpose Room of the Asper Campus has now been canceled.

In response to a query sent to a spokesperson for the WRHA asking about any measures that might have been implemented at the Simkin Centre (as well as any other PCH’s under the supervision of the WRHA, we received the following response:

Our WRHA Long Term Care program is in regular communication with all Long Term Care facilities in Winnipeg. We connect regularly to remind and reinforce with all these facilities to follow the outbreak management and influenza management protocols that are already in place as standard operating procedures in response se to COVID-19.
In addition, we have enacted Incident Command in Long Term Care which includes regular conference calls and communication with all facilities to ensure all facilities remain fully up to date on COVID-19 information, and to promote a consistent approach in their address of concerns related to COVID-19.
Visitor restrictions are in place as per Public Health direction. Group recreation activities are also being limited in accordance with the social distancing guidelines. Staff screening continues to take place through our regional occupation health officers.
Staff are being reminded to follow standard infection prevention and control protocol (such as regular hand washing, and staying away from work when sick) to promote the safety and health of the residents we serve.

 

Updated Sunday, March 15: We just received an email from Laurie Cerqueti, CEO of the Simkin Centre, asking me to let readers know they do not want visitors there.

The Gwen Secter Centre had originally planned to remain open and continue offering programming –  to members only. But, on Sunday, March 15, we received the following email from Gwen Secter Becky Chisick, informing us of a change in plans: “

n response to COVID-19, Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre will be cancelling all programming. The Wednesday program will be cancelled until after Passover. All exercise programs, concerts and social programs are cancelled until April 6 (for now). We will reassess and provide updates as we have them Operating hours will be reduced in order to limit traffic and third party services. At Gwen Secter we are talking all necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

“The kitchen will continue operations. Kosher Meals on Wheels will run and we will continue to accept your Passover catering orders.

“Our staff will still be in the building and available to answer questions.

“Thank you & be well!”

Updated March 16

The Winnipeg Jewish Theatre announced that its upcoming production, “Narrow Bridge”, which was slated to open March 28, has been postponed until next year. Here is a portion of the WJT announcement:

“In order to contribute to public health efforts, we have decided to cancel the upcoming run of Narrow Bridge by Daniel Thau-Eleff and move its world premiere into our 2020-2021 season. Narrow Bridge will replace the previously announced production of Trayf by Lindsay Joelle from March 4 – 14, 2021.

“During this time our administrative operations will continue, with staff working from home where possible. We will continue to check our office voicemail and email on a daily basis Monday – Friday. The box office will be contacting all ticket holders for Narrow Bridge to ensure that they are aware of the cancellation.”

 

Sunday, March 15, Gray Academy issued the following notice on its Facebook page: “Monday, March 16, will be our last day of in-class learning until Passover Break.
“Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 will be In-Service days. Teachers and staff will use this time to put plans and processes into action for remote learning for all grades.
“Remote learning will begin on Thursday, March 19 for all grades.”

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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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