chicken
mind 2002
Special needs program
The Ohel Ya'Akov Community KoUel of Greater Vancouver has announced a now program for children with special needs. Called Friendship Circle, the program will help families and offer children educational opportunities and entertainment. The idea is that, a few times each week, members of the Kollel will pick up children from their homes and bring them together, for a few hours a day to socialize with other children, under the guidance of professionals. Children would get both individualized attention and the chance to interact with a group.
The project is still in its formative stage and the Kollel would like to work with Jewish individuals and organizations in the city to create a program that will serve children with special needs and their parents in the best way possible.
Kollel oi^ganizers would like anyone interested in helping to contact them at 604-267-7060 or e-mail info@communitykollel.org, □
A hand up, not handout
The HAA grants interest-free loans to those in need.
The annual observance of the Hebrew Free Loan Sabbath takes place Feb. 8 and 9, Shabbat Mishpatim. The Torah portion read on this Sabbath reminds Jews "not to extract interest from the needy."
This occasion gives members of the commimity a chance to hear about the Hebrew Assistance Association (HAA), an organization that helps Jews in need. Since 1979, the HAA has provided those in fmancial distress with interest-free loans to a maximum of $4,000. Loans are given to new immigrants, the elderly, single parents and students. They are also granted to those needing help with school fees, a used car for work, temporary help with rent or for many other needs.
Since 1915, this service has been provided, beginning with the Hebrew Free Loan Association and, later, the Achduth Co-operative. Their purpose was to help the many new Jewish immigrants arriving from eastern Europe, who had little means of support and who desperately needed financial help.
Today, board members of the HAA review the loan applications. At the present time, HAA assets are $769,096, \vith current loans of $538,357. Becoming a guarantor or an annual member are important ways of supporting this organization. For more information, please call Linda Tenenbaum at 604-263-y652. □
Exhibit about eugenics
Nazi and contemporary practices will be examined.
The Nazis set up "euthanasia kiUing centres" at many German health and welfare institutions to eliminate those they considered "unworthy" of life. A new exhibit at the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) tells the story of one of these centres - the Hadamar Institution in Germany. The exhibit opens Feb. 7 with a lecture by Dr. Robert Proctor titled Nazi Medicine: Good or Bad (or Both)?
By 1941, more than 10,000 disabled people were murdered at Hadamar. The VHEC exliibit raises ethical questions concerning many contemporary practices and areas of research, such as genetic screening for birth defects, sterilization and infanticide. It includes a series of free public lectures, oi^ganizcd with tlie University of British Columbia's Centre for Applied Ethics and its science studies program, that will explore the issues raised by the practices of Nazi medicine and the eugenics movement. The first speaker is Proctor, in the Norman Rothstein Tlieatrc, at 7:30 p.m. A reception follows the lecture. For more information, call 604-264-0499. □
Help out with Chutzpah!
Organizers of the second annual Chutzpah! The Lisa Nemetz Showcase of Jewish Performing Arts are currently recruiting volunteers for the festival, wliich runs Feb. 23 to March 10. If you arc interested in helping out, contact Kathie Folk, volunteer co-ordinator, at 604-304-9932 or kathie_folk@hotmail.com. □
A SHABBATON FOR GREAT MINDS
Feb 8 - 10, 2002
ONEG SHABBAT
Freedom's Just Another Word for Notfain' Left to Loset A (rllmpse of the Image of God
Friday, February 8, 2002 8:15 pm Congregation Schaarey Tefiiah $5
SHABBAT LUNCH
Reading the Bible as Uteratwre in Understanding the Divine
Saturday, February 9, 2002, 12:30 pm
Scharo Tzedeck Synagogue S16
PHILOSOPHERS' CAFE Autonomy and Heteronomy - The Chronic Dilemma of the Modem Jew
Havdalah and the Philosophers' Caf6 Moderator: Yosef Wosk Saturday, February 9, 2002 7:30 pm Congregation Beth Israel $5
SUNDAY EVENING LECTURE
The Meaning of Religious Pluralism in a
Parochial Worid
Sunday, February 10, 2002, 7 - 9 pm
Scharo Tzedeck Synagogue $ 10
For information and ficicefs please call Federation at 604.257.5100
Chicken Soup for the Mind, a program of Federation, thanks its co-sponsors, Yosef Wosk, Diamond Foundation, Congregations Beth Israel, Beth Tikvah, Shaarey Tefiiah, Schara Tzedeck, Har El and Temple Sholom.
5,700 years ... now this
www.jewishbiilletin.ca
TEL AVIV UiVIVERSITY ^
lowy School for Overseas Students
Open House
Monday February 4, 2002
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver 950 West 41st Ave. Board Room
Everyone Welcome
Academic Programs
• Year/Semester Programs
• Honours Programs
• M.A-Middle Eastern History
• Summer Programs
• Intensive Hebrew Language
• Arava - Environmental Studies
• Medical Elective Programs
w w w . t e 1 a
Oma Benayon
Director of Academic Affairs 3130 Bathurst St. Suite 214 Toronto, Ontario M6A 2A1 Phone: 1-800-ONLY-TAU (416) 787-5692 Fax: (416) 787-1762 E-mail: coptau@interlog.com
iv.org
V 1 V u n
1-800-ONLY - TAU or (416) 787-5692