Page lO-TheGanadian Jewish News, Friday, April 18, 1975
Hy Lemer, freight manager of El Al in Canada, looks afte^ unloading of 814-pound block of Jerusalem stone. It will be included in the new structure at the 'Y' in Toronto. This is the first time a Jerusalem stone has been flown from Israel. Ontario Premier William Davis will officiate at the groundbreaking ceremonies of the *Y' completion program this Sunday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. (El Al photo)
Father raised money for first T home,
inspiring Poslmi's drive for $6.5 million
By LOUISE CORNBLUM
TORONTO —
Back in 1935. when Louis Posluns was president of the YMHA. total . *Y' facilities consisted oi some rooms and the gym and pool of the Brunswick Talmud Torah. (h was quite an undenaking for the association even to raise the rent.)
The president's message in the 'Y' Bulletin of that year reminds us of the life of a Jew in that era. After expressing his "pride...that several hundred boys, who would otherwise use up their youthful energy in the streets in acts which would perhaps disgrace the Jewish name," were using the facilities. Posluns goes on to write: "But. on the other hand. I am saddened when 1 think that between 300 and 400 Jewish boys, through lack of accommodation at our institution, have been forced to seek accommodation elsewhere — AND WERE TURNED DOWN!"
Posluns, in this article, dedicated himself to the *Y's campaign to raise the sum of $17,000 from Toronto's 40.000 Jews for a building of their own. A previous attempt, in 1919. had failed dismally.
This time the effort succeeded and the first YMHA, on Brunswick Avenue, was built in 1.937.
Now a framed copy of Louis Posluns' statement of dedication hangs in the office of his son, the man who heads the present' Y' campaign to raise $6.5 million.
Wilfred Posluns is undoubtedly inspired by his father, but he chose the *Y' as his prime community project on its own merits^ His attitude is that the *Y' most particularly affects the young people who are our future.
"I feel very strongly," he said in an interview with The CJN, "that the •Y' fulfills a need that other agencies don't and is a necessary part of any Jewish community if its to be successful and ,have continuity. If we don't devekip the kids into a part ~of the community, Israel will lose because you won't have people to work .for Israel 15 years from
-JWW."
Fosluns. like the reject-fed children of 1935 who tould find no place open to Ihem when the 'Y* was dverciowded, has known anti-Semitism in a viru-. tent form. In the late I9S0's. being the only Jew with a seat on the Stock Exchange, he was the loctim of efiints, to oust him. He fought back in Jbmixt and while, in the-IttDdsiAere of the eariy jiO% he could not win, it h' iw a result his iHeterinination / that
TT President Wilf Poduns
were handed dbwn which made it impossible for any Jew to again suffer discrimination under those circumstances. Posluns subsequently refused both the return of his Stock Exchange seat and membership in the Granite Qub. Posluns turned to fund-
raising, as he puts it. because of a need to devote certain of his energies in an area outside business. "When 1 saw the need that the *Y' had for the kind of abilities 1 had, 1 became involved there and it worked." he siays.The 'Y'has already raised $6 million toward its goal.
The abilities to which he refers are diverse and effective. As one of the partriers of Dylex Ltd.. a company which opei^tes many well-known retail chain stores, he has wide scope for his talents and imagination.
"Fund-raising is salesmanship." he explains. "My approach to fund-raising is identical to my approach to buying a company or dealing with i
bank. I have to communicate. If I'm talking to a person we ihave to get on the same wave length. Once we've gotten to that position and if Trn the right salesman, I will communicate his obligation, in the matter. I'm not asking him for something for myself. 1 from the community. You have to give back."
Sometimes he finds that you have to argue with those who want to give only to Israel. He feels that the two things don't conflict. It is necessary to" do both. The more he becomes involveid with the Jewish community in Toronto, the more he is in volved with-Israel,
"My father always said
that nobody ever got poor by giving away," he quotes. "In the end, the only thing they have left is what they gave." Posluns tells of his grandmother, an impoverished immigrant . who would give two cents to beggars at the door or share her food with them. His parents never turned anybody away and. he adds. "I hope my kids feel this w-ay."
Wendy. 19, a university of Toronto student. Lynn, 17 and David," IS,' are growing up to follow the Posluns tradition of service. Lots of the credit belongs to their mother, Joyce, who has always been a leader in Hadassah and other community organizations.
IHonccr wonicH
Invite you to participate in a seminar
"A Search For Identity"
(The Jewish Woman In Transition)
Sunday, April 20,11 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Auditorium, 12 Viewmount Avenue
KeYnote Speaker: MICHELE LANDSBERG
Associate Editor of Chatelaine Workshops: Consciousness Raising
Torah Feminism
Youth Looks Ahead Registration And Lunch $2.00
BAYVIEW GLEN DAY CAMP
For Boys And Girls
2 Yrs. Old - Grade 6
A valuable camping experience within Metropolitan Toronto in the parklands of the Don Valley. Swimming, campcraft, nature lore, A & C, overnights, sports, archery, drama, music, fun and excitement.
Lunches and Transportation provided three Separate Sections: Preschool ........... .2-51/2
Junior ....... . . 5 1/2-7 1/2
Senior ... . 7 1/2-12 1/2
Half-day and full-day programs, and a SPECIAL SENIOR program which includes a resident week under canvas off camp. For further information call or Mrs. L. Doreen Hopkins. Director Bayview Glen junior Schools Ltd. 411 Lawrence Ave. East, Don Mills, Ont. M3C 1N9 449-7740
LAG BA'QMER CONCERT with
MONDAY, APRIL 28,1975 - 8:00 P.M.
BETH JACOB SYNAGOGUE
375 Aberdeen Ave., Hamilton, Ont.
(Sponsored by Beth Jacob Sisterhood)
General-Admission $5.00 Students $2.00
For Tickets Call 522-1351 - Evenings 528-0874
REENA FOUNDATION
"Instating the Haiklicapped towards Independent Living within the Comrhunity."
CAMP REENA
IN BEAUTIFUL CALEDONHILLS
Applications now being accepted for special children. Ages 12 -18 years.
Our newly appointed ExectJtive^irector. Mr. Steve Delman is ready to intef^iew (bampers.
Reena Foundation
100 Elder Street, Downsview
630-4751
FRENCH LANGUAGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The North York Board of Education offers French language classes for French-speaking students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 at Norman Ingram Public School. This school is located near Don Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East at 50 Ouncairn Road, Don Mills. Ontario M3B tea (Telephone: 444-4261). Registrations for September 1975 may be forwarded direct to the Principal. Mr. Robert Campbell.
In Septemtiflr 1975 French language classes for French-speaking pupils will be offered for the first time for Grades 7 and 8 at Ecole Secondairl3 Etienne BrOW vwhich is located on York Mills Road, midway tMtween Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street. Parents who would like to enrol their children in such classes are asked to complete a registration application form which may be obtained from the Office of the Director of Education for North York (Telephone: 225-4661. local 208).
In order that tfte North York Board of Education may have tome indication of interest in the possibilities of having a French language school for French-speaking pupils west of Yonge Streiat. parents who would like to enrol their chi{dren in such a school are asked to complete a brief but impbrtaht survey form. This survey form may be obtained from the Office of the Director of Education for North York (Telephone: 225-4661. local 208).
K. Mawson, M.A. Director of Education
Or. D.M.Logan Chairman of the Board
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE BOROUGH OF NORTH YORK
musiG
By MOURA WOLPERT
HAWBLTON —
There's a rare treat in store for lovers of Israeli and Jiewish folk music when the Feenjon Group of New York comes to Hamilton for a Lag B*-Omer concert on Monday, April 28. It will be the group's first visit to Canada and it's quite a coup for Myma Goldhar, president of Beth Jacob Synagogue Sisterhood,
And for once the situa^ tion is reversed: Toronto-nians will have to come here if they want to catch some first-rate entertainment! In fact, requests for tickets are already coming in from the big city, reports ticket convener Andrea Stringer.
Casting around from something interesting and different to replace the tea as the sisterhood's major fund-raising event of the year. Mrs. Goldhar thought of a music evening with a Jewish folk group. But what group? Helpfully, her husband Hershel got on the phone to Monitor Records to find out whom they could recommend. As luck would have it, Menachem Dworman. founder of the Feenjon, was in the office and yes, since the concert was scheduled for a Monday, the day the club is closed, he'd be happy to bring the group.
Anyone who owns the Feenjon album entitled Jerusalem of Gold or any of their later recordings, or who listens to the Max Ferguson show on CBC radio, will know that this is probably the most exciting group playing Israeli,
Jewish. Greek and Middle Eastern music today.
Longtime fans* the Goldhars couldn't wait for the group to come here and early on a recent cold and blizzardy Friday morning they bundled their three young daughters on to a plane and.flew to New York for a firsthand look, ' .
Feenjon means 'coffe-pot' in both Hebrew and Arabic and the Cafe Feenjon on Macdougal Street is strictly a coffee house. Two other rooms have been added, the Olive Tree Room — 'to talk, eat. chess, go, scrabble, silent movies' — and the Levantine Room, featuring Israeli and Mid-Eastern food, music and dance. The group plays to standing room only crowds every night, reports Mrs. Goldhar, but there was a
front row table waiting for the family when they came in that Friday night. The music starts at 10 p.m. and if the girls hadn't been nodding off to sleep by 2 a.m.. the Goldhars would have stayed till the the last note had faded. And on Sunday afternoon their father took Laurie, 14, Nancy 12 and nine-year-old Marcie back for more.
For concerts to Jewish groups, the Feenjon generally keep to a more Jewish-Israeli < program, which they call a 'Kum-zits' — get-together. At concerts there is little chance for enthusiasts to get up and dance but no doubt there'll be plenty of the 'hand-clapping, shoulder-weaving, foot-hopping participation'. Proceeds from the event will go towards the Beth
rare
Jacob Hebrew school.
The concert takes place on Monday. April 28, at 8 p.m.. Beth Jacob Synagogue. 375 Aberdeen Avenue. Tickets are $5 per
person, students $2 and cap be obtained from the synagogue. telephone (416) 522-1351 or in the evening from from Mrs. Stringer (416) 528-0874.
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Executive Director
We are an established organization supporting arts and cultural programmes between Canada and Israel.
We require a professional to direct the ongoing activities now concentrated In Ontario but eventually across Canada.
The candidate must have cultural appreciation and professional administrative experience.
The major duties will be directed toward enlarging the ongoing developments such as programming, membership, fund raising programmes, as well as initiating chapter developments across Canada.
Applicants should include a detailed resume which will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Write to Box 4282, The Canadian Jewish News, 22 Balliol St., Ste. 15, Toronto M4S1 CI.
cflmp mnssflD
In The Heart Of Muskoka Lakes • Canada
EOR A HEALTHFUL SUMMER, WITH A
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Dedicated to the promotion of Hebrew culture & Hebrew language
Kashruth under supeK/ision of the Canadian Jewish Congress
ENROLL YOUR CHILD NOW! CalKAIS) 633-7851 or write
CAMPMASSAD
4140 Bathurst St., Downsview. Ont! M3H 3P2
iBuddy HacMI^
Israel
with
Eddie Flsiier
OKeefeGenbe
Monday, April 28,1975
Your pledge of $1,000 or more per family for your 1975 Israel Bond
entitles you to two tickets for this
"once-in-a-lifetime" evening at O'Keefe Centre.
Please send in the pledge and ticket request form below without delay, to assure your two reserved seats
Resenied sealing in accordance with da^ off pledge and ticket request V
Buddy ilacloBtt's Salute to Israel with Eddie Fisher
state of Israel Bonds. Suite 511.825 Eglinton Ave. West, Toronto MSN 1E7 Please send me two tickets for
I pledges.
.for the purchase of State of Israel Bonds for 1975*.
I know Israel needs the cash urgently, i am therefore also enclosing my cheque for $ us. for my 1975 Israel Bond purchase.
*Minimum pledge $1.000.
Name.
TelephoneL
Address:
15