i/ ,1-
INOURmVINCE
I COMMUNITY LEADERS CONFER IN LONDON
ATTENDANCE AT LONDON T
LONDON, Ont. (CJN; - There waa a record attendance at the Town Hall meeting held under the auspices t)f the London Jewish Cpmmunity Council on Sunday, February 19, at the Community Centre. Guest speakers were Meyer W. Gasner, Chairman, Central Region, Canadian Jewish Congress, and Sydney M. Harris," National Chairman Joint Public Relations Committee of Canadla^Jewish Congress and_ Bnai B'rith."
STORY GF^OMMITMENT
"The~"story of the modem Jew", said Mr. Gasner in his address, "is the story of a commitment to be accepted at birth as irrefutable —- that all Jews are responsible one for the
tangible support of and inden-tification with the Institutions of Jewish life.
CAUTIONS ON NAZI MOVEMENT
Sydney M. Harris, National Chairman of the Joint Public Relations Committee, dealt with the current matters before -his committe^. He touched on "the revelations made recently in a television broadcast of ne^o-Nazt activities and the /varying reactions this exposure provoked In the general and Jewish commu nity. "Canadian Jewish 'Congress", said Harris, "is keeping a close watch on any fascist or quasi-fascist goings-on. In the present state of the law, hate-mongering activities are not ilr
other". Mr. Gasner went on to I j^g^j ^he Legal Committee
Illustrate the implemeniation of this commitment in the niaiii fold responsibilities of Jewish life today especially as covered in the program of the Canadian Jewish Congress. He referred to his personal visit last year to Poland, Iran and - Morocco, where he had witnessed for himself the great welfare and training programs which the Jewish iommunlties of Canada support through *heir local UJJV. He stressed the primacj* of Jewish education, adult education jmd the unconditional necessity for j
under Professor Laskin has reopened for it5 study the submission made by Congress in 1953 asking that race Incitement leading to violence be outlawed."' Mr. Harris warned against hasty generalizations which only spread antagonisms and, instead of hitting the proper target, fly wide of the mark.
NOTES INTEREST
He reported that in the past year the struggle against religious education in the public school has taken a positive turn
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and there, are prospects, lor some change. iConslderable interest has been aroused In hon-mlno rlty groups and wide elements in Ontario have begun to realize the Impropriety of religious indoctrination in tax-supported schools.
He stressed that In the humane slaughter situation in which Canadian Jewry had scored a success. Congress had persevered in not accepting the xmdesinible status forjjhechlta of being an "exemption", though this was offered us. Instead, Congress had—insisted that shechita be included as one of the recognized methods of humane slaughter which was eventually accepted and written into the code. This is the first time shechita has been so recognized in the law. (In England it is included as a special exception for Jews and Moslems.)
COUNCIL REPORTS
Harold Valsler, President of the Council, reported on the community's activities for "the past year and paid tribute to his Council members for their active work and support. As well as individually elected members the Council comprises presidents of all Jewish organizations In the city and the Rabbis of Conr gregations B'nai Moses Ben Ju-dah and B'nai Israel.
Mr. Vaisler stressed the Importance of the UJ-A. as th« London Council's greatest task. He announced that the Co-Chairmen of Council's UJA. Committee would be Milton Harris and Milton Cohen.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL GUIDANCE
The Council's objective wai to ensure the smooth functioning of the many facets of community life. Among the Council's chief tasks was the coordina-! tion of ail community activity. ! This year had seen the establishment of the Jewish Youth Administrative Council under the chairmanship • of Alap Cohen, with the opening of the Wallace and Betty Welnstein Youth Centre.
Whilst formal Hebrew education for the children of the com munity was provided by the two congregations, the Council assumes an important responsibility by providing a per capita subsidy.
MANY LEADERS PRESENT.
The community took pride also in the activity of its members in the life of the City. There were Jewish members on the Senate of the University of West-em Ontario; on the London Vocational Guidance Committee for Secondary Schools, and on the United Welfare Fund execu-
The Canadion JewUh Newt, FrWoy, Moreh 3, 1961-7
By AMOS
Left to Right: HAROLD VAISLER, President, London Jewish Community. Council; MEYER W. GASNER, Choirmon, Central Region, Conodion Jewish Congress; SYDNEY M. HARRIS, Na-tionol Cholrman, Joint Public Relation Committee, Canodion Jewish Congress end B'noi B'rith.
those present
Among
gathering were Mr. Elliott Cohen, Vice-President of the Council, and Mrs. Cohen: Dr. and Mrs. Isidore Goldstick, Mr. A. B Gillick, Secretarj- of the Council, and Mrs. Gillick; Rabbi and Mrs. David Kirshenbaum of B'nai Moses Ben Judah Congre-
at the I Many of the audience participated in the full and interesting discussions which followed the presentations of the giiest speakers.
OFFICERS ELECTED
The well-known Israeli cantor, Isaac Ashl, impressed Sunday night's audience at the Congregation Ahavat Achim-Naphlath Israel. 275 Vaughan Road. Rev. Ashl has a deep and" pleasant voice. He rendered a concert of liturgical and popular songs. He B'nai'.""""""','""" ''A"^ also, conducted services at 'the
Israel Sisterhood: Mrs. Pat ^'^V . -^^^^^^ Achim-Nachlath Israel
verstein. President of Hadassah; ' '^'^^p^', >r w^nio^ ki.n ^ ^''"S'^^^"""'
Mrs. Edith Wein.stein. Chairman '^"Z^^ fZvZ^T^^A v2 ^ renowned spiri-
Cohen, N. Bnckman, Syd Vals- ^^^j jpg^g^.. iderman, William Boom,
gation; -Rabbi and Mrs. J. B. Friedberg, of B'nai Israel Congregation; Mr. William Bciom Chairman of B'ii.ii B'rith; Mrs. Harold Vaisler and Mri. Sair Noble, Co-Cha4rmen of
An election was held for members of Council for 1961 and the following slat€ was elected: Harold Vaisler. Elliott Cohen, A.B. GUllck, Sam Fink, Bernard Wolfe. Dr. I. Goldstick, Dr. L. Shankman, .Dr. H. Wilensky,
G. Slegel, Atlln.
E, Lipsltz, Irving
CONGREGATION AHAVAT ACHIM
of the Bertha Weinstein Chapter of Hadflssah; Mr. Ralph Wald-man. Chairman of the Moses Chittin Fund, and Mrs. Wajd-man; Mr: Harry Hennick, President. B'nai Israel Synagogue Men's Club; Mr. K. H.Kendall, President of B'nai Moses _ Bap TullairTepWnin'CTubT Mr. Herbert Perlniutter, President of B'nai Israel Congregation and Mrs. Perlniutter; Mr. Archie Mar cus, President, B'nai Moses Ben Judah Congregation, and Mrs. Marcus; Mr. Alan Cohen, President of the Youth Centre, and Mrs. Cohen, and Mrs. Eva Hahn, Director of the Youth Centre.
'ler, H^B:^
Congregation Beth JOSEPH LUBAVITCH
cordially invites you to
A MESIBAT
ONEG SHABBAT
in honour of
(EllAHU KITOV)
distinguished Educator,; Philosopher and Author •, FRIDAY EVENING, MARgH 3rd at 8:45 P.M. ot
" 44 EDINBURGH DR. -
. corner of Edinburgh and'BqthurttStt.
Iter To The Editor C^^UW )t<i^
UKRAINIANS AND JSWS: RESUNIIKG TKI DliATE
ByO. PIDHAfNI
You are cordiallxTinvited
S to a-
ON MARCH 4,1961 — ADAR 16, 5721
at 1344 Bathurst St. 8:30 p.m.
IN HONOR OF :-4^—-
AVRAHAM MOKOTOVSK Y
ELIYAHU> KI - TOY
from Jerusalem V
Gifted Orator, Well Known Authvbr, Educator and Philosopher - '■ NO SOLICITATIONS OF, FUNDS
' AGUDAS ISRAEL
Dear Editor,
When I wrote a letter and later an article to The Canadian Jewish News on Jewish-Ukrainian relations, I never dreamed that there was such a reservoir of good feeling towards Ukrainians and their dreams among the Jewish pe6ple, and towards the Jewish pe<^le among the Ukrainians. It seems that; only a slight push In the right direction was required to set off a "movement of rapprochement" be tween our two peoples iri Cansr da, In the phrase coined by Mr. M. J. Nurenberger, in his column in The Canadian Jewish News of July 15, 1960. ^
CITES GROSSMAN
As a proof to the fact that such a rapprochement has taken place may I cite the short speech of Hon. Allan Grossman held before three thousand-odd Ukrainians in Massey Hall, on occasion of the forty-third anniversary of the Independence, and the forty-fourth anniversary pf the Union, of the Ukraine. Stating that he hates every fomt of tyranny,-red, brown or black, Hon. At^Qrossmari observed that ^•we must not be_dl8unlted, as Just this is hoped for by .all dictators," And again, "We must j7ork togetner _m brothers at building a great Canada_and the Free World." When Mr; -Grossman concluded his speech by saying In Ukrainian "Long live a Free Independent Ukraine," he was greeted with enthusiastic applause of over three thousand UkrainlMJS, thus renewing that spirit of friendly co-operatipn based tm common interest of the Ukrainians and Jews, which is present whenever, both parties are free.
BOTH MINORITIES
I would like to bring out what exactly are the common Interests of Jews and Ukralnlaais. There are two main spheres when the interests of Ukrainians and Jews are common. Iri Canada and the, Free \yorld, both Jews-and Ukr£^ Iniahs constitute" minohties in
most countries, and thus their Interests include, preservation and furthering of the rights of their native languages, being minority languages, so, incliidlng Instruction in schools, books In public libraries, establishment of broadcasting stations or at least programs, supported by public taxation (within the CBC, BBC. Radio-Canada, etc.); furthermore, there are rights of '.leir religions. Whatever traces of discrimination against, minorities, whether Jewish or non-Jewish still remain in this country, may be eliminated by common action. ,
OPPRESSED BY MOSCOW
The other main sphere of common interest, and in the present world situation. . perhaps the overwhelming one. are the interests of Ukrainians: and Jews as oppressed nations within the Russian Communist empire, and the interests of Jews in Israel, subjected now to Soviet pressure on one hand, arid the dictatorial Nasserism on the other.
Within the Soviet Union, both Ukrainian and::Jews are discriminated agajast, - and oppressed.. Both Ukrainian -and Jewish culture-.15 being systematically ex-jtermlnated by the Soviet regime. Both Ukrainian-religions (Ukrainian Orthodox and Ukrainian Catholic) on one hand,, wid the Jewish religion, which- in the Ukraine had found soil for greatest flowering in the nineteenth century; on the other, are being destroyed root brtmch, with their servants and followers. Both Ukrainian and Jewish democratic national movements arei being persecuted, as^Jltiourgeois nationalism," ,rel?isionism,". "home-lessness,'.'/ / "cosmopolitarilsm,'' while the most naked Great Russian chauvinism is being glorified and allowed to reap whatever triumphs our people are due. The Ukrainians and Jews and other nations are expected to water with, their blood and thought the growth, i, of that Great' Russian empire full of glitter and tyranny.
QUEBEC JEWISH ASSEMBLY HELD
MONTREAL (CJN) — "Position of Jews in the Educational Sy-.'em of Quebec" was subject of discussion and full examination at the day-long conference of the Eastern Region of Canadian Jewish Congress hpld on Sunday. Februarj', 19. at the Windsor Hotel. Montreal.
Over .500 delegates from all major Jewish organizations in the Province of Quel^ec attended.
The subject was presented in the form of briefs by Edmond Gordon; M. H. Myerson and Joseph Cohen, Q.C The ir^sting v.as chaired by Harold Lande, Q.C, Lavy Bscker was the moderator.
The forthcoming Royal Commission on Education in the Province of Quebec, at which Canadian Jewish Ctongress plans to make representations on behalf of the Jewish community, prompted (Congress to review the Jewish position within the present educational framework In the Province and make the Jewish community aware of its complex nature.
Mr; Edmond Gordon analysed the legal position pointing out that the "Jewish school question goes back to Confederation" and recalled . provisions established in the British North America Act of 1867 protecting the rights of minority groups.
He also noted that. "Jewish pupils attend minority Protestant schools only as a matter of grace and that the Quebec Legislature has ho right to pass any laws changing this situati.on or to force miriority Protestant schools to 'admit Jewish students."
M. H. Myerson reported on '•GoVerriment. suijpbrt for Prl-.. vate Schools — Pros arid Cons" and referred to what he called the anomalous position in wlilch the Jewish comraunity now finds itiself insofar-as It'has no repre> sentatlon , on the"" Protestant School Board and yet pays tax contributions to that body. ,.
The conference opened with a Plenary Session, chaired brHa-rald Lande, Q.CJ, at which Samuel BrdnfmMi, president _6f Congress, addressed 'the assemble, delegates.
In his. speech Mr. Bronfman recalled that ."Canadian Jewish Congresis was first organized In 1919 to give help to displaced persons of the first World War" and; from these humble begin-, nlngs has grown into the "r&-cognized representative institution of Canadian Jewry and acts on Its behalf both at home and abroad."
Saul Hayes, executive vice p're-sident of (Congress, also spoke at this session, which was chaired by Monroe Abbey, Q.C. Mr. Hayes reviewed the concept and philosophy of Canadian, Jewish CJongress and noted proble facing the conimunity.
The weekend at Rabbi Oel-j baum's synyagogue, will" be long remembered by all congregants and guests..
Jhe sudden introduction of exchange-control into the Northern Region of,the United Arab Republic (formerly Syria), has caused considerable shock and bitterness there, and in the neighbouring Lebonon.
When Syria ond Egypt were united in 1957 Nosser promised that no oction would be token fo bring Syrio living stondards down to Egyptian levels. He explicitly disclaimed any intention of unifying the currencies. At that time, the Egyptian pound was worth only 40 per cent of its norhinol volue and stringent exchange-control was alreody operating, whereas the Syrian currency was convertible. Unification of the two currencies would hove entailed a free gift of Syrio's resources to Egypt, ond in addition would drag Syria's relatively healthy economy behind Egyption inflation.
The first attempt to unify their currencies and issue a U.A.RVdinor-in vioiotion of the promise, wos onnounced in October, 1958-by the Finance Mini.'iter,, Koissuni. It caused-such a political storm, as well 0^0 flight of capital, that o few months later it-was disowned by Vice-President Boghdodi^, who in inimitoble Nosserite fashion denied that unification had even been envisaged, attributing it to 'rumour-mongers."
Coiro then fried to re-value itt currency at o pralude to unifieatipn of currencies and econom:es, but the attempt foiled d-imofly. Thh is hardly surprising, since mony of the remedies belonged more rightly to the field of mogic than economies, and were based on tht thesis that Anglo-Israeli machinations wera responsible for the low volue of the Egyptian pound in foreign bourses, rather than Noster't Eastern orientation and overspending.
Uncertainty about Coiro's intentions ogain caused a flight of capital from Syrio, and now full exchange-control has been clamped down, with all major ollocotions. controlled-from Coiro, not Damascus.
The Governor of the Bonk of Syrio, Dr. Trobulsi, who is held In high esteem by Syrian business circles, has resigned in protest, and Cairo's denials of ony plans for unification are frankly disbelieved, just OS are its explonations thot control is intended to "prevent speculators and profiteers" taking advantage of economic difficulties.
And so, in the space of three years, Syria has lost both political ond economic independence, and has become the economic colony of a country which has nothing at all to give and can only take.
This will certainly not increase the populority of Nosser's concept
of -^rob unity elswhere in the Levant and the Arob world.
» • • '
The Isroelt Government's decision to market shares in the FertHisen ond Chemicals Compony comes as no surprise. The step hod been under discussion for several years as port of the (aovemment's new drK^c to attract Institutional privote capital.
In many woys the stock will be more like preference shares or debentures than equity, since the compony is largely dependent on the "odministrotive conjuncture" - heavy subsidies, favourable torlffs, and currency-allocation policies - for its continued profitability. Even without a substontial Government holding of vofIr>g shares, therefore. It would remain under effective Government control.
The step is hitendad te prevM* m convankiit •IttmsHve U ImmR Government Bends fer foreign Inveeters, pcrticiilarfy in cenntriea like Britain where the Bonk of England allowt hiveitert t* ewqulre MCHrMet quoted Ml the Tef-Avhr Stock Exchange but net bends. So long at !«• roel hot sufficient foreign carrancy to meet th« dhrMenW poymante, the investment It quite safe.
The step is a strow in the wind politically. The Company wos originally founded by private Zionist capital, and was loter taken over J>y the Government during the period of stringerit controls In a mdriner which caused considerable bitterness. A good deol of the Investments made during, the period which followed have had to be written off. The subsequent so|e of share wos bitterly resisted by Mr. Bentov, tf»a extreme- left wing Minister of Development, to whose core the company' had been confided.
Even though the new dispensotlon certainly does not Imply the re-introduction of capitalism, it does constitute recognition that doctrines hove to be mitigated if foreign Capitol Is to be attracted. .This testifies to considerable intellectual evoluton on the part of Israel socialists during the post decade.
The Festival Of Purim
By Rabbi David Kirshenboum
The Festival of Purim which we celebrate on the 14th day of the month of Adar, commemorates the struggle of the Jews of Persia against the wicked prime-minister Haman.
The storj' of Purim which is told in the Book of Esther, more commonly referred to by us as the Megillah, is one of the book.s of the Scripture which records the Edvance of this historical, dr.-rr.at'c episode, emphai:izT-g the day v/hen Haman w£s casting lots for massacre of the Jews ir Persia.
The celebration of Purim Is an old.Jewish custom. Each year on the 14th of Adar, Jews the wn:ld over gather in the Synagogues and read the , "MEGILLAT ESTHER". The Soroll contains the story of Purim, how Haman the Prime Mlriister of King Ahashverosh plarined tc destroy the Jewish people casting the date on the- 14th day of Adar, and God saved them through Mordechal ahd Esther,
And so the 14th day of Adar which was to have been a day of destruction for the Jews, became a day of deliverance. In thankfullness' for this delivery, the day was proclaimed a day of rejoicing. It is to be celebi&t-ed with feasting and gladness, sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor. .
The observance cf Purim as a national and relgious festival is prescribed in the Megiilah arid the Talmud. The Megillah records in conclusion:
"That this day should be remembered and kept through every generation by every family, iri every province and city and that ihis^day of Purim should not fail among the Jews, nor the memorial oftheni perlsE from their seed". J:-^ ■■ ■
The, significance-of the Purim stoi3r.:is that this experience, has not remained ~lust as another chapter on the annals of -our people, but that this-story of great ^ Jewish courage has tor many generations been the com^ fort and inspiration for persecuted Jews.
The Megillah. relates the Jewish tragedy which repeats Itself through Jewish • history. The. di^matic events of the Megillah are . not legends from the past but living realities themselves from the Era of Haman up to the present. All the arguments promulgated Vb'y Ham&n' against Jews are constant rispetltiori from which the Hamaris of all times draw fr'ssly. '
— Reading Hainan's accusations against the Jews In Persia, m recognize the poisoning language
— In \every coimtry. In, every generation.
What are "these redundant accu-
sations against the Jew?
They cannot be law abiding, having their own laws and customs, "their own standards of living. It is therefore not the king's interest to oppress them". The advice is simple and clear, "Yekotev Leavdam". "Let it be writteii that they may be destroyed." Such argumento, such logic could not be resisted.
This propaganda awakened the Persians of the Jawish rersuaslon. 'I'hsy leci.lzGd that all efiorts tov/ards i.-'ers.an.sing tnemssives did not help them. All their patriotism was overlooked by the King. Haman made no distinction b€(tween one Jew and another, between the rich and poor, between the one who assumed Persian manners, spoke Persian, conducted himself like a Persian and those who practised the. religion of their forefathers. All were destined to share the same fate. Equally doomed to destruction.
This opened the eyes of the Persianislng Jews. There is a wise and very trenchant remark by our Rabbis: The exhortations of forty-eight prophets in Israel could not,bring about the result which was brought about by the simple, act of the king,, handing to Haman his signed . ring for sealing the evil decree: (Megilla 14 a).
As soon as the evil tidings of ihe impending peril reached,.the i Jewish inhabitants of Shushari, Jews plunged Into the Synagogues prayirig and fasting. This, too is one of the Jewish characteristics which can be traced throughout.our history. The narrative of the Megillah
has an obvious bearing upon present day events. Mordechal and Esther stand out like two angels. In Mordechal we behold a truly Jewish character, one who would not bend his' knee to an arrogant upstart even if he bears a title.
And what a noble example does Queen Esther serve? An example of devotion and love for her people. Being the Queen, surrounded with grandeur and mag-nlficance, she did not exploit or utilize the royal favours Ijestow-ed upon her for own benefit.
How true it is what the writer of the Megilla declares:
"The days of Purim shall not frem, among the Jews, and their memory shall not perish from their aeed''.„
The events which Piorlm oom-memorates are of burning actuality. The Purim drama is being constantly reenacted. Eliminate from the Purim story the names^ of its heroes, and you Vrtll hardly be able to tell to which period In our history It belongs. Hamans continue, to seek the destructlori of the Jews, under different names, by applying. different methods in accordance with the continually changing circumstances. ■ ■ ■ . ■ ^ , ■
Mordechal and Esther too we meet from timei to time, men and women who take up the cause of their people, and successfully frustrate, the designs of our tra-ducers. The Megilla therefore affords a true reflection of all the vicissitudes thrptigh which we have passed In otir historical pilgrimage, and the narrative It tells to us cannot perish froni among
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