Col. (Ret.) Zeev Raz
Mission Leader of the
1981 RAID ON IRAQ'S NUCLEAR REACTOR Leader of the Mission to speak in Vancouver
Retired Israel Air Force Colonel Zeev Raz led the Israeli mission to destroy Iraq's nuclear reactor at0sirakinl981.
Eight pilots took part in the raid, including the late Han Ramon, who later died so tragically in the Columbia disaster while retumingfrom space.
Raz will discuss the planning for the mission, its successful result and the return flight by the pilots to Israel. The attack on Osirak was the first successful preemptive strike on a nuclear reactor, and it announced Israel's willingness to attack preemptively to prevent its enemies from acquiring nuclear weapons. The attack was condemned around the world. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, opinions have changed in many quarters.
Zeev Raz will not only talk about the operation but will also present a special film which will accompany his remarks and which will serve as an invaluable companion piece to the evening. This program is sure to create much interest and it is expected a capacity crowd will be in attendance.
All proceeds from this special event will be directed to a JNF project in Israel in memory of llan Ramon and liis fellow astronauts.
September 17,2005
8:30 p.m. at Temple Sholom
SPEAKER: COL (RET.) ZEEV RAZ
Call JNF V&ncouwer at (604) 257-6155 for more information.
PLEASE BRING YOUR BLUE BOX WITH YOU 4^
Connections
Imaginative solutions
Peace through Humor creator opens exhibit here.
SHUIAKUNCER
Maureen Kushncr knows a lot about humor. Her fust lessons, at age seven, in the streets of tlie Bronx, where she sold half-price comics to other children. She listened as immigrants from Europe, Holocaust survivors among them, told stories of their lives. She saw the tattoos on their arms and marvelled at their humor. But most of all, she felt the warmth of her neighborhood.
As a teacher, Kushner remembered those early lessons. She worked hard to bring humor and warmth into her classrooms.
"Humor creates an atmosphere that inspires," she said. "When they are inspired, students will achieve more than anyone thought possible.
"You can do a lot with a few cans of paint, some jokes, cartoons and a little love," said Kushner.
She had her students animate "the funniest words in the English language." They made cartoons of 'itchy,' 'pimple' and 'scram!'
"We had a box of funny words and a box of loving words," said Kushner. "We had 'smile,' 'respect,' 'kindness,' 'tolerance.'" Tlie students chose "hug" and drew letters that hugged each other. Tliey chose "share" and drew letters that sliared.
While working in Israel between 1994 and 1997, Kushner visited Gaza and various refugee camps. She asked children to draw "war" and "peace." They drew "war" with letters made of bombs and guns. Then they inserted tlie letters P-E-A-C-E inside W-A-R, with letters made of butterflies, in Hebrew and Arabic.
"I explained the roots of the words and how Hebrew and Arabic came from the same root," Kushner said. "I'd reverse the letters and explore new meanings. It was fascinating, deep work with children."
"In Israel, a teacher must be extremely flexible," she added. "You never know what will liappen. One school was hit by rockets two and a half weeks into our projea. The children were on a field trip, but the rockets tore apart many of their paintings."
When they returned to the damaged school, two boys took their anger out on the remaining artwork, tearing it up in front of their classmates.
"Pretty soon," said Kushner, "the other children had coUeaed glue and paper. Tliey put the artwork back together - it was a happening built from destruaion. Those restored paintings tell many more stories than before."
Kushner created a slide show from her work in Israel: Peace
through Humor - a projea tliat is coming to Vancouver this weekend. Kushner will talk about her woik at the Norman Rothstein Theatre Sunday evening, Sept. 11, and hold an afternoon workshop for children at tlie Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver QCC). Later in the week, she will work with youngsters at Vancouver Talmud Torah, Vancouver Hebrew Academy and Richmond Jewish Day School.
Kushner's original exhibition toured tlirougiiout nortliem Israel, where hundreds of children from different communities came to see the paintings. The project was even invited to Uie Knesset. It was, said Kushner, a testament to the children's wishes for peace. But tlie day before the Knesset event, two terrorist attacks sent tlie country into mourning again. Many guests were at funerals, so tlie exliibition opened quietly, witliout celebration.
As Kushner was beginning to wonder who would come, 25 bus: es drew up. Inside were the children from nortliem Israel with tlieir parents, teachers, principals and even the mayors. "Ihey linked arms and approadied the Knesset: Muslims, Jews, Drtize and Christians. "It was Uie most beautiful, heart-rending sight," remembered Kushner.
In spite of the joy, Kusliner never forgets that a teacher needs strong shoulders - as well as a big heart - for this work: "You have to ■ be prepared for tlie hard questions. "Wliat are you> Are you a Jew?' And when you say yes, you must be ready for the answer. 'But how can you be? You are so wonderful.'"
Kushner has spent years bringing humor to - and getting it out of - children. But riglit behind her love of children is her love of words and tlieir symbolism. In her hands, language is a toy that must be explored and tliat can be bent and twisted into extraordinary shapes. Children, of course, don't need much encouragement when it comes to playing and as they do, the result is outstanding art -and soul.
"Tliese children," Kushner remembered, "tlieir hearts were shining and their eyes, too. Everytliing I have ever wanted to do, I have, achieved through Peace through" Humor. There were so many fragile souls. To see them build some strength and resiliency was the biggest and deepest blessing."
The Peace through Humor paintings will be displayed in tlie halls of the JCC until Sept. 15. For more information, call 604-257-5111. i
Shula Klinger is a freelance writer living in Richmond.
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