JFED e-weekly for Aug. 26th, 2010

Welcome to the JFED e-weekly for  Aug. 26th/2010  

Your Jewish Community Electronic e-Newsletter

7200-156 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5R 1X3 (780) 487-0585 

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Our website - www.jewishedmonton.org is sponsored by

Witten LLP,Barristers & Solicitors

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Light Shabbat candles this week on Friday at 8:18 pm
Shabbat ends on Saturday at 9:19 pm    

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On behalf of the Edmonton Jewish Community, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

To you and your loved ones,
L’Shana Tovah tikatev v’etachetem . 

                                
May you be inscribed for a sweet and good year.           
And may the year 5771 be a peaceful and healthy year for all.

 

Gillian Horwitz.
President Jewish Federation of Edmonton

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY ... 

 

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND...

                 

 

KOLLEL...

        

  

ISRAELI ADVOCACY...

August 24, 2010

Toronto school board supports book that ‘demonizes Israelis’

Canada’s largest school board has expressed support for a novel that portrays Israelis soldiers and Jewish settlers negatively.

The book at issue is “The Shepherd’s Granddaughter,“a 2008 novel for young adults by Canadian author Anne Laurel Carter, who once worked on an Israeli kibbutz. The book tells the tale of Amani, a Palestinian girl living in the West Bank who wants to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and become a shepherd. She encounters violent Jewish settlers and Israeli soldiers, who poison some of Amani’s sheep, bulldoze her house, shoot and kill her dog, prevent her family from harvesting their olives, and beat and jail her father and uncle.

In a recent letter to a parent who complained about “The Shepherd’s Granddaughter,” the Toronto District School Board’s director of education says the book “has the potential to engage our Grade 7 and 8 students… in understanding the complex issues of their world.” This past spring, the board ruled that the book meets standards for dealing with “controversial and sensitive issues,” meaning it is subject only to extra guidelines.

In his complaint to the board, Toronto parent Brian Henry said he did not want the book banned, “but our teacher-librarians should not be encouraging our children to read a biased, one-sided and prejudicial account of such a complex and sensitive issue.”

The board’s expression of support means the volume will remain in Toronto’s 130 or so school libraries. Henry can still appeal to the board of trustees to overturn the decision.

Toronto board trustee James Pasternak told JTA he believes the book “demonizes Israelis and fails to talk about all the positive things that are taking place among diverse groups in the Middle East.” The book “has no place in our schools.”

Pasternak is encouraging Henry to appeal, and said he believes that among the 22 board trustees, “we’ll have enough votes to overturn the decision.”

source: JTA

                 

 

 

Ottawa, Ontario
August 25, 2010


CIC Welcomes Resumption of Direct Talks Between Israel and Palestinians   
The Canada-Israel Committee welcomes the return to direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority which will begin in Washington D.C. on Sept. 2.
 
"Only through face-to-face negotiations, held without preconditions, have Israel and the Palestinians been able to make progress in the past," said Moshe Ronen, CIC Chair. 
 
Mr. Ronen continued: "The resumption of direct talks is aimed at achieving a peace agreement that means a secure future for both Israelis and Palestinians.  We must recognize, however, that many of the issues separating Israel and the Palestinians are complex and difficult, and will require painful compromise by both sides." 

Shimon Fogel, CIC CEO, added: "Israel has shown in its peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan that when it has a reliable partner it is prepared to give up tangible assets for peace and security. Today, despite threats from Iran and violent rejectionist forces like Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel remains determined to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

"Over the past year Israel has carried out a range of confidence-building measures, including the removal of many roadblocks and checkpoints, and has provided greater autonomy for PA security forces. Increased economic development in the West Bank is also an encouraging sign."

Mr. Fogel concluded: "We are hopeful that direct talks will result in similar initiatives from the Palestinians, and generate momentum for a comprehensive peace."
 

For further information please contact :
Shimon Fogel, CEO, Canada-Israel Committee, 613-762-3657

  

                 


JEWISH DROP-IN CENTRE...

“Celebration”

Fantasyland hotel 
Sunday, August 29, 2010

Dance to the sounds
of the Big Band era

Cocktails 5:30p.m.    Dinner 6:30p.m.

(Kashrut Observed)

To reserve your place please call the drop in centre 780.488.4241


Serving the community seniors’ needs for over 55 years

 
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TALMUD TORAH...

 

Announcement:  Talmud Torah Executive Director

As you may know,   Talmud Torah posted the position of Executive Director.  This is a new leadership role at our school.  We had a very good response to our posting and some very strong candidates applying for the position.  Thank you to all who applied.

I'm pleased to announce that Frida Pesin has been hired as our new Executive Director.   Many of you may know Frida in her former role as cultural and program director at the Edmonton Jewish Federation, where she served with distinction over the past 18 years.  

Not only does Frida have experience in the day to day administration of a not-for-profit society, she has a proven track record successfully planning and implementing community programs and events such as Heritage Days, Yom Ha'atzmaut, Shalom Edmonton, and many other community outreach and cultural events.

In short, with Frida at the helm, we have an individual who is committed to Jewish education. She will work with our Principal to enhance our children's education,  jointly promote our school, and increase enrollment.

Feel free to drop by our community school and wish her Mazel-tov.

Thanks,

David Weisz
TT Board President
780-231-5229

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CALGARY JEWISH COUNCIL...

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BETH SHALOM...

       
    


Edmonton’s Conservative Egalitarian Synagogue
A Welcoming Shul for the Entire Family

Beth Shalom Synagogue,  11916 Jasper Ave  Edmonton, AB  T5K 0N9
780 488-6333 (phone)      780 488-6259 (fax) rabbi@e-bethshalom.org ,   
   
Service Times:  Shabbat Morning 9:30 AM,    Mincha/Seudah at 6:00 PM 

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BETH ISRAEL...

 

For more information call the office at: (780) 488-2840

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Warm Friendly Egalitarian-Conservative Services
Edmonton's Conservative Alternative
Convenient West-End Location at Talmud Torah

We are pleased to announce that our
High Holidays Services will be led by:  


  Cantor Jack Goldberg and Vicki Friedman  

5771 Schedule of Services:
   Sept. 8 Erev Rosh Hashanah: 8 PM
Sept. 9 & 10 Rosh Hashanah morning: 9:00 AM
(Luncheon following 1st day Rosh Hashanah service Sept. 9 )
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Sept. 17 Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur: 7:30 PM
Sept. 18 Yom Kippur morning: 9:00 AM
Mincha: 5:30 PM
 
All services are held at the Talmud Torah
School Chapel, 6320 - 172 Street
 
Annual Membership (includes High Holidays seats):
Family $450; Single $225
H.H. Seats only are also available
(Students studying away from home are welcome at no charge)

 
For further information contact:
Stan Bronson (780) 444-4012
    Martin Bankey (780) 486-0172      

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TEMPLE BETH ORA...

 “Traditional Values, Contemporary Focus, Warm and Welcoming”

Edmonton’s Reform Synagogue


This week and soon at TBO …

  • Kabballat Shabbat service , Friday, August 27 at 8:00 pm
  • SHACHARIT SUMMER HIATUS – We will resume Saturday morning services after the High Holy Days.
  • S’lichot movie, discussion and service Saturday, September 4 at 7:30 pm at the Van der Giessen’s. Please join us as we watch “A Serious Man” A black comedy drama centered on Larry Gopnik, a Midwestern professor who watches his life unravel through multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking for meaning and answers he seems to stay stalled.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1019452/   Please bring dairy dessert to share S’lichot service will follow.



  For more information phone the TBO office at: (780) 487-4817

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CHEVRA KADISHA...

List of unveilings for August 2010:

Aug 29         Sunday 3 pm             Sara Zalik 

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Na’amat Canada: 85 Years of Empowered Women

Celebrating its eighty-fifth anniversary, Na’amat Canada is living proof of the timeless adage, “what’s old is new again.” In 1925 these Zionist powerhouses were Pioneer Women raising money for Palestine; today, they are Na’amat Canada, raising money for Israel. Although many of the pushkeh-toting Pioneer Women of yesteryear may be gone, the organization they built continues to thrive and raise money to help tens of thousands of women and children.

It was in 1924 when a young Ukrainian immigrant to Jerusalem, Rachel Yanait, wrote to friends in North America to ask for help. Rachel worked tirelessly to establish a tree nursery, but a severe water shortage threatened its existence. A small group of women in Canada and the United States rallied to her support and came through with five-hundred dollars to build a well. They generated a spirit of sisterhood leading to the birth of the Na’amat organization.

In 2010 Na’amat Canada is one of ten sister organizations under the Na’amat banner, fundraising to provide and maintain vital social services in Israel. Canadian members can be found in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, with volunteer members spanning in age from twenty-something to ninety-something. “In many cases, Na’amat membership has become a family tradition, and my own family is a prime example of that,” says National President, Rivka Shaffir of Hamilton, Ontario, whose mother was a founding member in Montreal and whose daughter, Yael, is also a member.

Both Na’amat Canada’s image and its fundraising strategies have evolved over the course of its history. “In the 1920s and ‘30s Na’amat members collected money through Tag Days, Food Sales, Charity Teas and Bazaars. Some of those fundraising strategies still do well today, but our members and chapters continue to think up creative and relevant fundraisers, such as author’s luncheons, children’s concerts, coffee tastings, and movie screenings” quips Shaffir. “With each event and project, Na’amat Canada strives to raise both funds and friends, in hopes to pass the spirit of Zionism and sisterhood to new generations.”

The charity has an active online presence with members connecting on Facebook and a wealth of information can be found on their website ( www.naamat.com ), where the organization features videos, articles and a current list of local Na’amat happenings in their active cities. To mark the 85th anniversary celebration, Na’amat Canada has created a new membership pin, with dangled charms awarded for membership milestones.

Contact: Sylvia Alpern, 780-481-5986 or naamatedmonton@yahoo.ca
National President, Rivka Shaffir is available for phone interviews.
Soft copy historic membership photos are also available.  

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