JEWISH WESTER'N BUL LETI N
Friday, October 12, 1956
I
Eaitors view
.ruLiiuiu
0n the Plenary Session of Canadian Jewish Congress
IN this issue we are carrying several special features on Canadian Jewish Congress in tribute to the work of this most vital of Jewish organizations on the*national scene on the eve of its 11th Plenary Session. Of course we are particularly pleased that it has been made possible for this writer to attend the Plenary Session in person. The Pacific Region of Congress is being brought to the attention of the delegates at the convention through this special issue of the Bulletin. We also plan to bring our readers the best coverage yet of any Plenary Session.
An article by Saul Hayes, national executive director of Canadian Jewish Congress, which outlines the philosophy and practice of Congress as the central organized force of Canadian Jewry will be found in the Cultural Supplement. This article was practice.
can and should go to live there, to the building of a bond between Israel and the majority of Jews who will continue to live here.
Jewish education should foster the study of Jewish law and lore and Jewish religious values and practices. But recognizing that not every Jew can become a "Talmud Chachim" we can also not expect every Jew to become observant, whetiier orthodox, conservative, or what have you.
Jewish education should also take into serious account the multi-ciiltural pattern of the country in which we live—a pattern that encourages positive contributions to the whole out of the separate backgrounds of the ethnic parts. Let us teach ourselves' and our children h6w'to translate this concept into
. taken from a paper presented by Mr. Hayes at the last Plenary Session three years ago. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes have come about in the Congress approach since 1953. In all probability however no basic differences have developed.
The Plenary Session should- see, of course, some analysis of the success of the Congress program in the past three years and how far this program goes to meet the needs of Jewish communities throughout Canada.
JEWISH EDUCATION IS PRIMARY PROBLEM
No one will deny that Jewish education is the most important question confronting the Jewish community in Canada. This question will once again be given primary attention^ at the Plenary Session and rightly so.
In 1953 Dr. Nahum Goldmann, who has repeatedly* emphasized the importance of Jewish education, told the World Jewish Congress:
**We ?si!! have to devote moch more eneigy aad means to the problems of internal Jewish life and above all to see that a-new Jewish generation is being educated which will not be ignorant of Jewish history and of Jewish problems and will be intelligently prepared to take over and d^evelop farther the heritage which they receive firom' oar generation."
Canadian Jewish Congress has devoted considerable effort in the field of Jewish education by helping to create a united Jewish Teachers Seminary in the east, by fostering a special program of Jewish education for the smaller communities in Western Canada and through other methods. However this work in Jewish education has not yet made itself felt in every part of the country. For example in the Pacific Region Congress interest in education has only recently become manifest.
Congress educational activities also extend to youth and adult education programming sendees which have developed very well in the past few, years.
In Jewish education as in several other fields the aim of Congress is to develop a unified effort *to achieve common goals.
DOES UNTIY END DIVERSITY?
Unity of effort towards a common goal is always commendable. But we should remember that
We may live in the era of automation, but we cannot create any device for the distillation of the essence of Torah, other than that ivhich Rabbi Hillel proclaimed to the heathen standing on one leg: "Do not unto others what you do not wish that others do unto you. that is the whole Torah. Everything else is only comment^. Go and leaml"
. Let us stimulate learning with an open mind—^and let us not try to label an idea before we consider its merits!
CANADIAN JEWS AND ISRAEL
In fostering the support and close relationship of Canadian Jews with Israel, Canadian Jewish Congress has made a valuable contribution directly and through its joint efforts with the Zionist Organization. For quite a few years Congress has devoted much of its time and effort as a major partner in United Jewish appeals, as one of the creators of the Israel Bond drive and other Israel investment projects in Canada, and in the stimulation of Canada-. Israel trade relations. The importance of fund-raising for Israel has not yet passed, but the question of finding the forms for the building of niore lasting ties between Jews here and in Israel, is becoming more urgent. 5. ^
Congress ibay novf |e|;itiihaitely pay greater attention to this question which might be described as Jewish inter-cultural relations.
We are looking forward to the exhibition of 1^-raeli art which will be on view in Montreal during the plenary session. Very littie has yet been done to develop a cultural exchange program between Canada and Israel. Perhaps Congress can do more to stimulate efforts in this "direction. And what about a closer study of some of Israel's special experiences in building a new modern nation based oh democratic concepts?
Another vital area of Congress work for many years has been Jewish immigration into Canada. This work has receded in importance as the flow of immigration has dropped. In the past few months however Congress succeeded in obtaining permission for a certain number of North African Jews to settie in Canada.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
APPOINT COMMITTEE TO JEWISH COMMUNITIT STUDY
A fact finding comniittee has been ,established by the Jewish Community Council followmg a special meeting of the executive board which had been caUed especially for the purpose of discussing a Commuiiity Study. This committee has been charged with the responsibility of securing information about the Jewish Community of Vancouver^—^the number of individuals, the age-distrir bution, marital status, geographic distribution, and other facts pertinent to any planning for a, new commimity centre bmlding.
Sidney K. Cole, a member of the council executive, has been qamed chairman of the fact-finding committee. '
The executive considered the type of elaborate survejrs usually conducted when communities are preparing "or a new centre, but decided that a modest version would serve
more
Vancouver's purposes.
It was pointed out that through arrangement with the Bureau of Statistics the Research Bureau of Canadian Jewish Congress was able to secure vital-information about the Jewish poRulations of Canadian cities., In the United States this same information'can only be gathered at . 'the cost of much time and effort.
The executive decided that the cooperation of Canadian Jewish Congress be sought in this connection, and it was hoped that the fact-findmg committee would be able to bring in a report in a comparatively short time.
Dr. White reported to the meetmg that he had held recent conversations with the land agent of the Canadian Pacific Railway and had again been assured that provision would be made for the new centre in the Oak Ridge ^ area (Cambie-Oak-41st-49th district).
There will be numerous other areas of Congress
T^...- u n 1 1-r u 1 I. t- . . ^ work covered at the Plenary Session. The only other
Jewish cultural hfe has always been ch^acten^d on which we will comment now is tiiat of
by diversity of ideas. While we don't want diversity ^^ij^ .^i^tions. The Plenary Session program re-
to rent us asunder, nei her should the price of unity ^^.^ (.^e page 1) mentions o^y one item on public
rJ^Lf^i of diversity. If we take pnda m the f^lations and that is an inter-cultural semirfa?. As
contributions of the Jewish heritage to philosophy i^jportant as inter-cultural work may be it is surely
r and drama music and.sci- -^t tiie only aspect of public relations that should
!° L ° Tr ^1°-°^ to produce ^^^^^^^^ pje^a^ session. What about the
a new generation of Jews aU cast m one mold. p.^biem of religious education in tiie public schools,
I^ we are confronted with apatiiy today in our which continues to grow in seriousness? What about
efforts to promote Jewish education we will not a report on tiie progress of anti-discrimination legis-
win over our apathetic bretfiren by selling them a lation in Canada, which is at a new stage since such new concept of modern day Judaishi in a neat little package labelled Jewish education.
Should not our common goal rather be to impart knowledge of Jewislj languages and religious teachings and concepts, of Jewish history and literature questions facing Canadian Jewish Congress today, that will stimulate thinking and open up a variety of We offer them in the spirit of making a constructive positive ways in which a Jew can remain a Jew contribution to the discussion of Jewish problems in in this modern era. Canada which will be carried from Jewish communi-Jewish education should provide positive inter- ^ties throughout the country to tiie Plenary Session ests in Israel, from the encouragement of some whd in Montreal, and back again.
PLENARY SESSION
(Continued from Pose 1) will be held at the Shaar Hashomay-im Synagogue following the Friday evening services there. Starting at 8 p.m. an Oneg Shabbat at the Synagogue's''Comnjunit)*'Hall will include ai Statement of Views on the "Canadian Jewish Coinmunity" by Saul Hayes, National Executive Director of the Congress; and with H. Golden (Montreal), S. Cherniack (Winnipeg) and I. Goldstick (London) as discussants.
SATURDAY PROGRAM '
Saturday morning (October 20) synagogue services will include a sermon at the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue by Guest Rabbi Reuben Slon-im of Toronto. Rabbi Sionim wlii also speak at the luncheon, during which Kiddush will be said and a presentation made to B. Sheps of Winnipeg^
An Qheg Shabbat at the Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue will occupy the rest of the afternoon, and will be devoted to a discussion on "Building Jewish Leadership". Participating in the Oneg Shabbat will be: Benjamin Herson (Montreal)^ David Greenspan
LETTERS
The "Bulletin" welcomes all letters «o the Editor. In order to be considered for publiieation every letter must Include the full name and address of the correspondent. A "nom-de-plume" will be substituted fori the name on request. Signed letters or articles do not necessarily represent the views of the "Bulletin" or the Jewish Community Council.
All letters should be brief. The edi-tor reserves the right to eurteil letters which are too long.
laws are now on the statute books of a majority of Canadian provinces as well as of the Federal government.
These are a few views and comments on some
EDITORIAL TOPIC
(Continued from Page !)•
that if Israel is granted "full participation" in the Security Council's debate it may prejudice the west's case.
On the other side the Soviet Union stands firm beside Egypt and supports its contention that Israel is an "Imperialist tool." Far from being the tool of any big power, it appears more and more that inter-nationally or otherwise Israel is the "whipping boy' of all of them.
to win greater tangible support of its moral position by other means than arms.
This brings us to the point of Israel's recent retaliatory raiias against the Arabs. While there are still those who condemn these raids the international climate is such that even those who cannot accept such raids on mora! grounds are forced to recognize the justification of Israel's case as a matter of practical self-defense.
We can only hope that some day not too far distant the excessive supplies of arms now found in the
Only Canada has proven big enough to show a Middle East will be used for,a mass "Syyor^ into
practical interest in the moral justice of Israel's case Plowshares" campaign, and that Israel will become
through the granting of permission ifor the jet plane a bridge of understanding between the west and the
shipment. We only wish it were possible for Israel Middle East.
MR. ZIEGEL INVITED TO QUIZ RABBI
To the Editor:
It appears unfortunate that a man of the erudite mind of Mr^ Ziegel apparently missed the main impact of Rabbi Goldenberg's message.
That message was a simple one„ vis; do not tamper with our religion to change,it to meet any one's individual likes or dislikes, but;^ rather leave it intact and take of it as much as you please.
We of Congregation Schara«Tze-deck feel that the subject is one of such basic importance and interest that this should not be aired—superficially or otherwise—^in the columns of the Bulletin. We feel rather that the entire question ought to be discussed and discussed thoroughly but that such discussion take place at a proper forum.
Consequentiy, Rabbi Goldenberg's reply to the letter will be forthcoming in the approaching adult education series to be held by Schara Tze-deck in November. At that time every member of our community will be welcome to enter the discussion. In fact, Mr. Zicgcl, If he accepts, will be invited to be the lead-off interrogator and if he so desires will be afforded the time to expand orally on his written remarks. • • Watch for the date in an early issue.
CHAS. A. DAVIS, President,
Coi]@regatlon Schsra Tzcdeck.
(Toronto), Melvin Fensdn (Winnipeg) and Mordecai Kessler (Montreal). This program will be arranged in conjunction with Community / Centres, and YM and YWHA's. Prior to the dinner session, another tour of exhibits will be made. During the dm-ner in the Ballroom of the Sheraton-Mt. Royal Hotel, chau-ed by Michael Garber, Q.C., a report on Jews of U.S.S.R. will be given by Rabbi M. Kertzer of N.Y., who recentiy returned from a tour of Russia. The Presidential Report of Samuel Bronfman will be heard at this time, to be followed by guest speaker Dr. Nahum Goldmann of New York.
SUNDAY SESSIONS
Proceedmgs get underway at breakfast Sunday morning (October 21st) with a discussion of Immigration and Integration of Newcomers.
At 10:15 a.m. a meeting of the Credentials Q>nmiittee will be held. CbiiiCtiiTfent session^ will then take,-place:—United Jewish Relief Agencies
and Overseas Program; Religious Welfare Committee, and a Public Relations intercultaral Seminar. The fust will include a report on German Claims- and will feature Morris Laub of Paris and New York as guest speaker. Mr. Laub served until recentiy as assistant to the JDC Director General. The Inter-Cultural Seminar will present'viewpoints of Catholic (French-Canadian), Jewish and Protestant sociologists. Participants will be Father Guillemette (Montreal), Prof. Arthur Lermer (Montreal) and Alex Sim (Ottawa); Nathan Ne-meiz, Q.C.y of Vancouver, will summarize the session.
Guest speaker at the luncheon session will be The Hon. Michael S. Comay. Delegates wiU then, hear the report of the Credentials Committee and presentation of resolutions. Nominations Committee report and election of officers will follow. Adjournment at approximately 5 p.m.
THE JEWISH WESTERN BULLETIN
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1956
Condle-lighMng Time ^ Sobbotfa Eve., October 12, 5:10 Sobbeth Eva., Oct. 19, 4:57