Thursday, January 25,1990 — THE BULLETIN —3
lad)^ Jakottovits venue
Due to a strong response from women in thejsommuh-ity, the venue ^for the Luncheon-Lecture Thursday, Jan. 25 with Lady Amelie Jakobovits has been moved to Schara Tzedeck youth auditorium,—-—-_-_
British Chief Rabbi tallcs atS.T. tdnight
The wave of enthusiasm building in the community sinc&the visit of the renowned Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and his wife was first announced will reach its peak tonight, Thursday, Jan. 25. Several hundred people are expected For Lord Immanuel Jakobovits* lecture at Schara Tzedeck, 7:30
FEB. 1 is deadline to apply for 1990 five-year leadership training summer program of fared by Edgar M. Bronfman Youth Fellowships In Israel. At New York seminar, Edgar M. Bronfman chats with "alumni" of'88 and '89 Fellowships (right to left) Doron Goldstein of Mount Royal, Quebec; Mikael Wolfe of Eugene, Oregon; and Scott Savltz of Philadelphia. Migh school students entering their senior yearthls September may write to Edgar M. Bronfman Youth Fellowships, 17 Wilbur Street, iMbany, N.K U.S.A. 12202; phone (518) 485-6575.
Best Bonds drive in 39-year history held
_^ JSEW YORK — A total of $li9 million in cash mobilized in .1989 for Israel'ls economic development, representing an increase of $158 million (which is 25 percent more than 1988 results), has been announced by the Israel Bonds Organization.
The past year's results represents the best in the 39-year history of the campaign. A joint statement by Bonds leaders including Ambassador Meir Rosenne, Bonds president and chief executive officer, said: "In view of the political situation in the Middle East, this truly remarkable response by Jewish communities world-wide, as well as by ^anks, pension funds, and
Otlter noh-Jewish sources, is the- highest possible expres-sioh of confidence in Israel's
ROSENNE
economic future and its credibility in the financial markets."
Rosenne added: "The in-cireased results in Jewish communities demonstrate again the continuing and unswerving partnership and unity of Jewish communities
abroad with Israel and its people."
He continued: "We are duty bound to insure that the gates remain open for all Jews who come to Israel and that, through the Israel Bonds program, world Jewry will be a strong partner in the enormous task of assuring jobs and housing in Israel for all the new arrivals."
He expressed special gratitude "to the hundreds of thousands of friends of Israel who are purchasers and holders of our various securities; to the thousands of volunteers in all our campaign comihunities for their tireless efforts; to the rabbis and synagogue leaders who play such a key role in our efforts which helped to organize this phenomenal 1989 response."
DRUG 'EXPLOSION'
From Paget
ston Churchill Secondary, found grounds for agreement.
"Jewish teenagers aren't any different from non-Jewish teenagers," said Meistrich, 17-year-old vice-president of the Vancouver B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. "High school is like being a little wax bail: you're being bombarded by messages about how to speak, how toact and how to dress, and you pick some of them
■up;"- '■■ - "-^-/y^
Peer pressure often leads to drinkii^ among teens, she told the audience. "If you're wondering what is going on at high school parties, usually when there's drinking, the parerils aren't home — and there are also drugs.
"You ra'tionalize and think, *rm nervous, so maybe if I drink, I'll have a good time,' Thenext time, you say to yourself, *Last party, I had a good timie,' sayou drmk again "
Meistrich said she has seen marijuana and hashish offered at parties, and has heard of incidents when acid -aiid-cocaine were used. Although "^admitting that she has tried alcohol, "I realized after a while that it didn't do much for me; it didn't build my self-esteem."
Teenagers want parents to consider them adults and will act responsibly if treated maturely, said Meistrich. "My parents have made it clear that there's nothing T can't talk with them about. This may sound corny, but if you believe in yourself,^ou can
make decisions (about alcohol and drugs)," she said.
Criticism of what he termed "a culture — especially the media — that romanticizes drug and alcohol abuse" was offered by Larry Garflnkel, a provincial social worker attached to the Adolescent Street Unit in doivntown Vancouver. He pointed to "coming of age" movies and the image of the cute drunk portrayed by Dudley Moore in Arthur.
A number of Vancouver Jewish teens have drug problems, said Garfinkel, telling the audience that "in any high school, your child probably knows how to access drugs — your child is probably exposed to it." But the social worker, himself a parent of two children, noted that the plight of addictions is universal. He Quoted a Dtc^mhtx Jerusalem Pds/ article that carried an estimate of 200,000 Israeli users.
He echoed Dr. Hotz's contention that Jews have swept the syndrome under the rug. -*i think-in the Jewish cojn-munity there's a denial — we say that we ceremonially drink four cups a year on Passover and a cup every Friday night," he opined to audience chuckles.
"1 wish that were true," he added as thecrowd fell silent.
Sigal, a counsellor at Talmud Torah two years ago, said alcohol and drug use were relatively unknown then among the pupils. However, "the kids were very concerned that they would come into
contact with drugs as soon as they came out of their sheltered environment."
Garfmkel asked parents if their children, arrange for designated drivers to take them home from parties when drinking takes place. "The more realistic you can be with your child and the more non-judgmental—but non-condoning — the more results you can expect."
"I'vegot two teenagers, and 1 don't mind being called at one o'clock in the morning" to drive them home from a party, Hotz stated.
Said Jessica Meistrich's mother, Barbara Meistrich Brezer: "I might be annoyed to be called late, but I'd be glad to be available." A social worker with North Shore Family Services, she said she finds it difficult tp deal with parents who deny their own alcohol and drug addictions.
"I suspect therearea lot of adults who/ drive home impaired,'1-declared JFSA executive director BarryjCor-rin. "1 wonder how many -adults call their teenagers?"^ Audience members applauded.
In-Vancouver, a liew chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous — the Sholom Group — is being organized to serve the Jewish community. Its first meeting will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5 at Temple Sholomv 7190 Oak St. Call 434-3933 for further information.
(Two in-depth articles on substance abuse appeared in The Bulletin on Aug. 31 and Sept. 21, 1989.)
Lady Jakobovits, wife of the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, will speak on "Life in a State of Flux — Recent Impressions from Soviet Jewish Women'I Luncheon commences at noon.
Lord and Lady Jakobovits are coming to Vancouver fresh from a visit to the Soviet Union. "Lady Jakobovits'
.......timely remarks should not be
rnissed," organizers of the event emphasized. "She will
~bring community women an
-up-to-the-minute account on the situation."
Women who want to attend the event should reserve a placed by phoning the Schara
' Tzedeck office by Thursday; Jan. 25: phone 736-7607.
There is a small convert for the lunch only.
p.m.
Sponsors — Schara Tzedeck, Maimo-nides high school, the Hebrew Academy and Vancouver Associates of Ben-Gurion University — as a community service have ensured that everyone will be able to hear this illustrious international Jewish leader who makes his first address here. There is ho admission charge for the lecture. THE CHIEF RABBI
The famous Jewish scholar, whose stature and leadership are recognized around the world, will talk about the future for Jews in the'90s.
The invitation for Lord Jakobovits to speak here was sparked by a Lazar item in The Bulletin in November 1989 reporting that he would be attending the first major international conference on Jewish Medical Ethics in San Francisco at the end of January. Local Ben-Gurion University Associates, where the Chief Rabbi is affiliated with BGU's Center for Jewish Medical Ethics, and Rabbi Mordecai Feuerstein of Schara Tzedeck, who has had a long-standing relationship with the Chief Rabbi, got together on a projected yisit and following the acceptance, plans went into high-gear.
Information is available at 736-7607 or 736-5386.
Newcomers find welcomeatJCC Jan: 31
JWBSt&ff
Newcomers to the community will be able to get together at the Jewish Community Centre next Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. when Shalom Vancouver is mounting an informal Newcomers Welcome Night.
Gisi Levitt, facilitator for Shalom Vancouver, pointed out that a relaxed, friendly atmosphere will' prevail when people new to the community — individuals, couples and families — will be introduced to each other. "We hope they will ask any questions they might have," she said. .
Now in its fifth month of operation, the volunteer program is staffed by individuals in the community. According to Levitt, volunteers give two to four hours at a time once a
week to staff Shalom Vancouver's information desk. As welU some do special projects at home.
Among volunteers are Sara Bernstein, Hazel Cosman, Marlene Franks, Daniella Givon, Hanna Hirt, Edna Kane^ Carol Klein, Evelyn Miller, Freda UUman. Policy board volunteers from Shalom Vancouver's sponsoring organizations include Irma Zazk (Federation representative), Shirley Kort (NCJW), Judy Libin (JCC), Sara Ciacci -(BBW).
Since September 1989, 40 new families/singles registered with Shalom Vancouver, Levitt told The Bulletin. They received an orientation to the community and the special Shalom Vancouver Welcome kit, replete with informational material"
about the community and communal services.
*The group works closely with the Jewish Family Service Agency for referrals of new immigrants and existing classes and services.
Newcomers have posed a great many questions to Shalom Vancouver since its inception. Numerous enquiries have concerned Singles programming, special events, semi-independent housing for seniors. Jewish travellers have called needing names of inexpensive hotels in the Oak street area and one caller requested the name of a notary public who could read legal documents in Hebrew.
Information on the Shalom Vancouver Welcome Night and on any other newcomer queries is available from Gisi Levitt, 266-9111. ^
Vancouver Talmud Torah
998 West 26th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 2G1 mmimbn Phone (604) 736-7307
Registration for 3 and 4 year old Pre-School
.(including 3 year old p.m., three days per week)
and
KiNDERGARTEN REGISTRATION Students Currently Enrolled February 5 & 6,1990 at 9:00 a.m.
Registration For Those Who Have Siblings In The School February 7,8,9,1990 at 9:00 a.m.
Community at Large: Begins February 12,1990 at 9:00 a.m.
DONT TAKE A CHANCE ON BEING LEFT OUTI FOR MORE INFORMATION CALll 736-7307
VANCOUVER JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE
SHALOM PRE'SCHOOL
Pre-School Registration Opens
Moniiay,Jan.29,1990
(Priority Registration)
3 & 4 Year Old Morning and Afternoon Classes Enriched Program— Jewish Content Gym, Swim & More!
Ca//. Roslyn Kirson —266-9111
For More Information