Page 18-The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, August 10, 1989
nizatiom^aiid
Alex Singer kept jourmls, did sketches
mous
Sketch of colorful Israeli bakery is representative of Singer's style
TORONTO-
Self-Portrail of a Zionist, an exhibit of the art and writings of a young American oleh killed in action, will be on display in the foyer of the northern branch of the'ilewish Community Centre from Sept. 5 until Sept. 15.:
Alex Singer, a graduate of Cornell University, was shot and killed two years ago on his 25th birthday by terrorists while on |Kitrol in Israel's northern security zone; He had made aliya in December, 1984.
"Alex believed he was doing work that fulfilled God's purpose for Jews, tikkun olam, to perfect the world," his 'mother, Suzanne Singer^ told The CJN. "We are fortunate because Alex left us two things: wonderful letters and joiirnals and art that will help us keep him alive
in our minds, a task that will occupy us creatively, as he would have lived and as he would have wanted us to live," said father Max Singer.
From their Chevy Chase, Md., home,'^ the couple established the Alex Singer Project. A book of his writings, mainly letters and journals, will be published. Art and Action, an
exhibition of Alex's drawings and paintings, opened in Jerusalem last September, and is touring Israel before coming .to North America next year. The idea for "Art and Action" was initiated by Jerusalem Mayor Teddy KoUek soon after Alex's death. The exhibit . was then implemented and directed by curators from the Israel Museum.
group to hold dinner Sept. 17
■■By;. BRIAN HENRY
TORONTO -
This year, Achdut Ha-Avoda Poale Zion is celebrating its 65th year in Toronto with a dinner for its membership on Sunday, Sept. 17 and the private publication of a commemorative book recounting the organization's history in Canada.
According to Harry Simon, vice-chairman of the Toronto branch of AchdUt Ha-Avoda^ the organization was first establishal in Canada in 1924 by newly arrived Polish immigrants. At the time, the party was known as the Left Poale Zion.
involved
in unions
The majority of its members worked in the needle trades and were deeply involved in unions like the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America^ International Ladies Garment Workers, and Fur Workers.
"Today most of xmt members are retired," Simon told The GIN. He joined the party in 1926 at the age of 16. Over the years, he's seen a lot of changes."There are very few (Jews) who are still in the trades," says Simon. "It's part of the dq)rolcr -tarianization of the Jewish people." :
Simon adds that many Jews are still involved in the professional unions. "There are more Jewish
teachers in Toronto than there ever were in the needle trades, but they aren't organized in a Jewish union.
"In the olden days, the so-called Jewish unions conducted their meetings in Yiddish, and so on. Some of those unions still exist,. but with very few Jews still in them."
As a political party, Achdut Ha-AVoda merged with the general Labor Zionist movement in Canada in 1976, just as its Israeli branch (founded and, for many years, led by David Ben Gurion) merged with Mapai and is now part of the Labor Alliance.
In Canada, Achdut Ha-Avoda is affiliated with the NDP and defends Israel's interests at NDP conferences and conventions.
"At the Regina Convention (in 1983) there was a floor fight over a resolution supporting the PLO aiid condemning Is-rael," Simon recalls, "We wore able to counter the attack, and the NDP issued a very positive resolution r^arding Israel, and that resolution is stiU NDP policy."
Achdut Ha-Avoda has close contacts with the
trade upion movement throughout Canada. Over the years. Max Federman, president of Achdut Ha-Avoda, led trade delegations to Israel.
The trips garnered much support for Israel within the trade union movement, says Simon,, and the unions have shown their support in very concrete ways, helping the Histadrut union build institutions in Israel.
The United Auto Workers, for example, contributed a large amount of money toward the building of a trade school in Israel, which has been named after Dennis McDermot, a former president of the UAW.
Achdut Ha-Avoda is also . deeply involved in Jewish education in Toronto. It helped establish the Borochov School and Kin-dergarteni, which in 1932, says Simon, was the first Jewish kindergarten in the city. The organization also supports Bialik Hebrew Day School, one of the largest secular Jewish day schools in Toronto.
Achdut Ha-Avoda also raises funds for Israel and sponsors lechires, seminars and a host of other activities. "In the Borochov
Center (on Codsell Avenue) we have a senior citizens group — the Labor Zionist Alliance Senior Citizens — with close to 600 members," says Simon.
At the anniversary dinner, the speaker will be Halm iFinkelstein, a leader of Achdut Ha-Ayoda in Israel and a former director of the World Zionist Organization.
^ AM ECHAD ^ HIGH HOLIDAY SERVICES
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(Warden & Hwy. 7)
Additional Locations: •Former l\/lontrealers at JCC Valley (Leslie-Steeles) •Promenade Mall Cineplex •Northview Heights (Bathurst-Finch)
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Social Kiddush following services Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Yom Kippur, Oct. 8, 9
Sunday Computer Helirew School
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JOIN OUR CONSERVATIVE CONGREGATION AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF OUR FULLY COMPLETED SYNAGOGUE
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Night of the Murdered Poets
37th COMMEMORATION OF THE EXECUTION OF SOVIET JEWISH WRITERS AND ARTISTS
Wednesday, August 16th, 1989, 8:00 p.m.
BETH TZEDEC SYNAGOGUE
1700 Bathurtt Street, Toronto GUEST SPEAKERS:
ALAN
National Executive VIce-PrasMant Canadim Jewisli Congreta
BEN KAYFETZ
Prominent Community L.eader, Former National Executive Director J.C.R.C.
Vivian ReiSS win rtdte from worlu of soviet Jewish writert
Muaical program by Jennie Eisenstein, accompanied by Fagel Gartner
■---.^ Sporisored by;
C<Nnmlttee for-YkkHsh, Toronto Jewlsl) Congrass
Committee for Soviet Jewry, Ontario Region Canadian Jewish Congraes
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