News – Page 33

Community milestones … Marie Doduck, Poritz Freeman, Israel Emergency Campaign

Last month, Governor General of Canada Mary Simon made 88 new appointments to the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours. Among those appointed as a member to the Order was Vancouver Jewish community member Marie Doduck.

For more than 50 years, Doduck has been a leader in Holocaust education and philanthropy. A child Holocaust survivor, she is a founding member of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and has shared her history with tens of thousands of students and others. Her memoir, A Childhood Unspoken, was published in 2023 by the Azrieli Foundation’s Holocaust Survivor Memoirs Program. (See jewishindependent.ca/survivor-reflects-on-identity.) She champions various community engagement and fundraising initiatives.

“Members of the Order of Canada are builders of hope for a better future,” said Simon. “Each in their own way, they broaden the realm of possibilities and inspire others to continue pushing its boundaries. Thank you for your perseverance, fearless leadership and visionary spirit, and welcome to the Order of Canada.”

New members will be invited to a ceremony at a later date to be invested and to receive their insignia.

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The US Department of State recently announced the selection of international education professional Freeman Poritz for an English Language Specialist project in Israel. The project is one of around 250 that the English Language Specialist Program supports each year.

Poritz, who is originally from Vancouver (and has written for the Jewish Independent), is a teacher trainer and conflict resolution practitioner with expertise in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Previously, he served as an English Language Fellow at the Institute of Rural Development Planning in Tanzania and at Haramaya University in Ethiopia, where he conducted professional development workshops for faculty, provided teacher trainings on differentiation, virtual facilitation and needs assessment, and taught academic writing courses to undergraduate and graduate students. In Israel, he will collaborate with a group of educational professionals to design an English language bicommunal youth peace and leadership curriculum for the Ministry of Education as part of Jerusalem Peacebuilders and Retorika for Multiculturalism’s EXCEL Teacher Training Institute for Partnership and Peace Leadership.

The English Language Specialist Program is an opportunity for leaders in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages to enact changes in the way that English is taught abroad. Through projects developed by US embassies in more than 80 countries, English language specialists work directly with local teacher trainers, educational leaders and ministry of education officials to exchange knowledge, build capacity and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions and communities in the United States and overseas. The program is administered by the Centre for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

* * *

Last November marked a year since the Israel Emergency Campaign Committee began its work, allocating grants to organizations and partners across Israel who are dedicated to addressing the critical needs that emerged in the aftermath of Oct. 7, and the war that has been raging since.

The committee’s work over the summer and the fall demonstrated its continued mission to provide support to the evacuated communities of the Upper Galilee – in education, infrastructure and capacity building – while also supporting projects in the realm of rehabilitation, also in the north.

Broadly, during the first six months, allocations were designated to projects supporting the numerous emergency needs across Israel: $8,853,704 was deployed October 2023 to March 2024, to projects addressing emergency needs in mental health care, food and supplies for vulnerable populations, rehabilitation initiatives, educational frameworks and evacuation infrastructures.

In the spring to the fall, as the committee realigned its focus to supporting the northern communities, with special attention to projects in the realm of rehabilitation, April-October grants totalling $3,011,750 were distributed.

Over the summer and the holiday season, as war continued across the north, IEC grants focused on enabling safe and meaningful programming for youth, children and families, and supporting schools that were preparing for the opening of another school year away from home. These grants came alongside immediate, emergency deployment of funds in support of the Druze communities of the Golan, after the tragic attack on Majdal Shams in July.

With the ceasefire taking effect on Nov. 27, 2024, what was once coined “the urgency of the day after,” has become the emergency of today. Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver’s partners in the Galilee are taking initial steps to plan their gradual return home, and the IEC committee remains aligned with this evolving reality.

A significant component of this strategy is a pan-Canadian initiative spearheaded by Sarah Mali, director general of JFC-UIA together with Jewish Federation’s executive team, in Israel and in Vancouver, and partner federations from across Canada. Earmarked to leverage collective funds to generate substantial healing and long-term impact in the north, this initiative is a central element in the IEC’s final rounds of allocations that will be developed over the coming months.

– Stephen Gaerber, chair, Israel Emergency Campaign Allocations Committee, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

Lifelong lessons from camp

Selina Robinson (centre front) was a counselor at Camp Miriam for four summers. She is pictured here, in 1981, with the Sayarim (Grade 5s) in that year’s first session. (photo from Camp Miriam)

Little did I know how much Camp Miriam would teach me about leadership, standing up for others and how to be the “Jew in the Crew” in the face of antisemitism.

I never had the opportunity to go to Camp Miriam as a chanicha (camper) and wish that I had had that opportunity. I am grateful however that, when I was 17, a fresh-faced graduate of Richmond High School, I got hired for the summer of 1981 to be a madricha (counselor).

I had no idea what I was getting into, but, within days, I realized that I had been missing regular contact with a Jewish community. Back in 1981, there were only four Jewish students in our school of 1,200. But Camp Miriam was much more than being in an environment where I didn’t have to explain myself, my traditions, my values. It was an environment that encouraged me to explore how I wanted to be Jewish. Learning about Israeli culture and history in a place that values debate and discussion taught me that all perspectives have value. I learned how to consider various perspectives, how to be respectful in debate and how to articulate my arguments.

Joining the tsevet (staff) was a tremendous opportunity to learn and refine so many leadership skills, setting a personal example, making sure that all members of the group are equally engaged and even how to chair a meeting with more than 100 campers (yes, it is possible to chair a meeting with more than 100 children).

Camp Miriam helped me understand not just the importance of social responsibility but how to put these ideas into practice. I got to see these ideals in action and see why they are important, and then to talk with the chanichimot (campers) about why we have these values and what they mean to us as Jews and as human beings who are responsible for one another. Whether we were cleaning the sherutim (bathrooms) or painting the rocks around the mifkad (flagpole), it was always with purpose and understanding that we were taking responsibility for our home.

photo - Selina Robinson (fourth from the left) with the Amelim (third and fourth graders) in the second session of 1981’s summer camp season — Selina Robinson (fourth from the left) with the Amelim (third and fourth graders) in the second session of 1981’s summer camp season. *(photo from Camp Miriam)*

I worked at Camp Miriam over four summers and, as I reflect on my time there, I am struck by how those four summers impacted my life as I got my post-secondary degrees, worked in the social services sector, started a private practice and eventually moved on to politics. In every leap, my experiences at Camp Miriam were there with me: the importance of caring for others who might be down on their luck, the role of personal responsibility in decision-making and how to make collective decisions.

As a Coquitlam city councilor from 2008 to 2011, I put these collective decision-making skills into practice often. I listened to my colleagues around the council table present their arguments and determined if I agreed or disagreed with the direction they wanted to go – it was just like an asefa (meeting) that a kvutsa (group) might have about how to spend their kupa (collective pot of money). It was in these meetings with 11- and 12-year-olds that I learned how important it was that everyone have an opportunity to have their say so that we could make the best decisions for the collective. I was able to carry this experience with me into my political life.

When I became BC minister of finance in 2020, I received a note from Leah Levi, Camp Miriam’s registrar at the time. She sent me a note of congratulations and included “make good decisions with the kupa.” I had a good chuckle, realizing that is exactly what I was responsible for, our province’s kupa, making spending decisions with the Treasury Board and the cabinet. Little did I know that my four years at Camp Miriam would come in handy as I managed our province’s finances as we navigated through a global pandemic.

Upon reflection, I believe that my ability to sit around a cabinet or council table and make collective decisions, my appreciation of the responsibility for managing the province’s kupa, and even my decision to walk away from government inaction as antisemitism continued to raise its ugly head, all stem from how Camp Miriam helped me understand what it means to be a proud Jew and what it takes to be an effective leader. Camp Miriam helped me to be the person that I am today and for that I am eternally grateful.

To learn more about Camp Miriam, visit campmiriam.org.

Selina Robinson was the MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville from 2013-2024 and a BC NDP cabinet minister from 2017 to 2024. She was fired from cabinet and left the BC NDP in early 2024. She wrote a memoir about her experiences, Truth Be Told, which is available on Amazon. For more information, visit selinarobinson.ca.

Out-tripping’s many benefits

Canoe trips are a vital part of the camp experience, not only because of the physical activity they involve but also because of the deep personal growth they foster. (photo from Camp Hatikvah)

At Camp Hatikvah, one of the most enriching aspects of the summer experience for older campers is the out-tripping program. Designed to expose campers to the beauty of the outdoors while introducing them to a blend of adventure, skill-building and personal growth, the program is a cherished part of the Camp Hatikvah experience. It is also central to the camp’s mission of fostering resilience, independence and community.

Each year, the camp’s Kochot and staff-in-training (SIT) campers embark on canoe trips that vary in length and difficulty, ensuring that each trip is tailored to their abilities and experiences. These journeys are much more than a chance to paddle; they provide campers with opportunities to push their limits, learn new skills and bond with their peers.

photo - Each year, the camp’s Kochot and staff-in-training (SIT) campers embark on canoe trips that vary in length and difficulty — Each year, the camp’s Kochot and staff-in-training (SIT) campers embark on canoe trips that vary in length and difficulty. *(photo from Camp Hatikvah)*

The Kochot campers are introduced to the concept of out-tripping through shorter trips that offer a taste of outdoor adventure. The one-night and two-night trips, depending on age, provide an introduction to sleeping outdoors, cooking meals and navigating the natural world. These trips are designed to balance activity and relaxation, with plenty of time for swimming and socializing, all within nature. For many, this is the first time they sleep away from home, and the experience is a significant milestone in their personal development.

As campers get older, the trips become more challenging. The SIT campers take on a more intensive excursion that tests their physical endurance and leadership abilities. The trek to Shuswap Lake involves paddling for several hours each day, setting up camp at new locations each night, and working together to navigate the challenges of outdoor living. Through this five-day journey, the SIT campers develop valuable life skills, including resilience, adaptability and teamwork.

Canoe trips are a vital part of the camp experience, not only because of the physical activity they involve but also because of the deep personal growth they foster. They teach campers about responsibility, independence and the importance of working as part of a team. Campers learn to rely on one another as they work together to navigate the water, set up camp and manage the logistics of living outdoors. They also gain a profound appreciation for the natural world, learning to respect and care for the environment while enjoying its beauty.

The lessons learned on these trips extend far beyond the trip itself. Campers return to camp with a stronger sense of self, greater confidence and a newfound appreciation for the outdoors and for their fellow campers. Whether they are paddling across a serene lake or cooking dinner under the stars, the skills they develop and the memories they create during these trips become an essential, and beautiful, part of the Camp Hatikvah experience.

To learn more, visit camphatikvah.com.

– Courtesy Camp Hatikvah

Where Jewish pride grows

Camp Solomon Schechter builds identity and combats antisemitism. (photo from Camp Solomon Schechter)

During Tisha b’Av, a day of mourning and reflection, the entire camp community of Camp Solomon Schechter in Tumwater, Wash. – 300 campers, ranging from 3rd to 10th graders – gathered in silence at the amphitheatre. A staff member stepped forward, the flicker of torches casting shadows. They asked a question: “Please stand if you have ever encountered antisemitism.”

Slowly, hesitantly at first, campers began to rise – one by one, then in clusters. Younger campers glanced around, their faces etched with uncertainty, before joining their peers. Staff members, too, stood. Eventually, every camper and every staff member were on their feet.

The sight was both powerful and heartwrenching. The realization that every single member of our community, even our youngest, had faced antisemitism was a sobering reminder of the challenges our children navigate. It underscored the importance of camp being a safe haven and Camp Solomon Schechter’s mission to empower campers with pride, resilience and an unshakable connection to their Jewish identity.

“Living as a minority, especially in times when hate seems to be ever growing, camp becomes an oasis of belonging, safety and joy,” said Rabbi Eve Posen of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland, Ore. “The opportunity for children to be immersed in joyful Judaism at camp is a powerful antidote to the antisemitism present in our world today.”

Antisemitism is not a relic of the past – it is a persistent reality that manifests in subtle and overt ways, from exclusionary rhetoric to acts of violence. As Jewish communities grapple with these challenges, there is a question that arises time and again: how do we equip the next generation to respond to and rise above these threats? One answer lies in Jewish summer camp.

Camp Solomon Schechter believes camp is more than a summer getaway – it’s a transformative space where Jewish identity is not only celebrated but deeply ingrained. It’s where children and teens connect with their Judaism, form forever friendships and discover the joy of being part of community. These experiences serve as a critical counterweight to the forces of antisemitism by fostering pride, resilience and a sense of belonging.

Proud Jewish identities

Antisemitism seeks to diminish Jewish identity, often targeting individuals and communities by attacking their sense of self-worth and belonging. Schechter counters this by fostering environments where Jewish life is celebrated unapologetically. Imagine a Shabbat at camp: the entire community dressed in white, walking hand in hand to a service that looks out on Lake Stampfer. The melodies of prayers mingle with the natural beauty of the outdoors, creating a sacred space where campers feel deeply connected to their heritage and one another. These moments instil a sense of pride that stays with them long after camp ends.

Whether it’s singing Birkat Hamazon after meals or morning prayers, core tenets like Shabbat, kashrut and tefillah – and the intentionality (kavana) brought to these traditions – the camp cultivates shared values and rituals that form the foundation for lasting friendships and a rich Jewish life. Examples include Maccabiah (team-building through friendly competition), the Oded program (Jewish leadership development) and Havdalah, where the entire community gathers to mark the end of Shabbat with song and light.

The integration of Jewish practice into every activity reinforces the idea that being Jewish is not just about rituals – it’s about community, identity and how we live our daily lives. At Schechter, Jewishness is woven into everything, from discussions about values to hands-on activities like planting Camas bulbs as part of an environmental stewardship program. Playing basketball becomes a Jewish experience because it’s played alongside Jewish friends. Swimming in Lake Stampfer is Jewish because it’s filled with laughter and camaraderie among a community united by shared traditions. Climbing the ropes course is Jewish because it’s about trust, teamwork and overcoming challenges together. Even sitting down for lunch is Jewish because it’s a moment of connection, blessings are recited.

Through stories, songs and discussions, campers gain a nuanced understanding of Israel beyond the headlines. Hebrew is spoken throughout the day. Programs like the Israeli Scout delegation and daily flag-raising ceremonies, where Hatikvah is sung, help campers develop a connection to Israel while instilling a sense of responsibility to something greater than themselves.

Cultivating resilience

Camp teaches resilience in ways both subtle and profound. The challenges of a ropes course or the learning a new skill remind campers of their own strength and capability. These lessons are essential when confronting antisemitism, which often tests the emotional and psychological fortitude of young Jews.

More importantly, camp creates a safe space to address difficult conversations. When global events – like the war in Israel – impact our community, camp becomes a haven where campers and staff can process their feelings and find support.

Staff bring their own Jewish journeys to Schechter, and campers are surrounded by Jewish role models who inspire them through teaching, leadership and mentorship.

Community bonds

Antisemitism isolates individuals and communities, attempting to weaken the collective strength of the Jewish people. At Schechter, the opposite happens: connections are built that transcend geography and last a lifetime. Campers come from across the Pacific Northwest, spanning a range of backgrounds and experiences. At camp, these differences dissolve as the kids unite around shared traditions, values and goals. Whether it’s competing in a friendly staff versus camper football game or singing camp parodies around the closing bonfire, the bonds formed at camp are rooted in joy, trust and mutual respect.

These connections don’t just benefit the individuals involved. Camp alumni go on to become leaders in synagogues, schools and other Jewish organizations, bringing the lessons of connection and collaboration they learned at camp into their adult lives.

At Schechter, we see it every summer: campers and staff return home inspired and proud to be Jewish. Campers leave not only with stronger Jewish identities but with a sense of hope for the future. That hope is our greatest weapon against hate, and it’s what ensures the continuity and vibrancy of our people for generations to come. To support our work, visit campschechter.org/give.

– Courtesy Camp Solomon Schechter

Why work at summer camp?

(photo from Camp Kalsman)

We know that today’s university and college students have lots of choices for summer jobs – but here are 10 reasons why working at a Jewish summer camp is the absolute best opportunity for someone who’s starting to think about a professional career.

1. Leadership skills

Regardless of your major, working at a summer camp puts you in a prime place to develop job-marketable skills. As a counselor, you’ll be overseeing large groups of children, and that work translates well into excellent management and personnel skills. You may also qualify for college/university credit, so check with your adviser.

2. Change campers’ lives

Campers love coming to summer camp, which many consider a second home. Summer camps hire fun, energetic people who are motivated to give campers the best summer ever and to make them want to come back, year after year. There’s no question that campers look up to their counselors more than anyone else. You’re directly responsible for helping young people learn about themselves, challenge themselves and explore their Jewish identities. During this formative time, you have the chance to become a camper’s hero.

photo - campers having fun (photo from Camp Kalsman) — *(photo from Camp Kalsman)*

3. The great outdoors

Most summer camps give you access to the best of nature. Set among the trees with an expansive view of the sky, you can hike, swim, mountain bike, zipline through the forest, stargaze, kayak and so much more. As far as offices and work locations go, it doesn’t get much better than that.

4. Opportunity to grow

Camp staff become a community within itself. You’ll end up inspiring and learning from one another, experiencing much of the same joy and wonder as the campers. Plus, you’ll make friends with people who live across North America and even abroad, as many Jewish camps hire summer staff from Israel.

5. Bigger than yourself

Jewish camp works. Those who attend and work at camp are more likely to feel a strong connection to their Jewish community, which can mean lighting Shabbat candles, feeling a personal connection to Israel and attending a synagogue. Camp gives you the skills to change the world and connect to something bigger than yourself.

6. Save money

Think of how much you’ll save when food and housing are provided for you!

7. Be nurtured and cared for

Camps take the health and well-being of their counselors and campers very seriously. For example, URJ Camp Newman, a Reform Jewish summer camp in Santa Rosa, Calif., applies the CARE philosophy to everything they do: the philosophy is based upon the principles of community, acceptance, role-modeling, and that each and every individual is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God.

photo - camper doing archery — *(photo from Camp Kalsman)*

8. Goals and interests

Because there are so many roles to fill and because you come with so many additional strengths and skills, camp directors will strive to match your passions to your role at camp so that you get the most out of your experience.

9. Jumpstart career

Camp is for the career-driven. Seriously!

10. Buzzfeed agrees

If you need even more reasons to apply for a camp counselor position, BuzzFeed has 20 more reasons working at a summer camp will be your best job ever: buzzfeed.com/sarahmcf/20-reasons-why-working-at-summer-camp-is-the-best-k6jl.

For information on working at URJ Camp Kalsman, which is southeast of Arlington, Wash., about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Vancouver, visit campkalsman.org/work-at-camp.

Camps post-pandemic

The Foundation for Jewish Camp recently released its latest census results, Trends Report: State of Jewish Camp 2023. The research indicates that Jewish camps in Canada and the United States have settled into a new normal within the post-pandemic world.

In summer 2023, the field served 3% (6,000) more campers and counselors than in summer 2022, with a total of nearly 181,000 campers, teens and college-aged staff participating in Jewish camp across 166 day camps and 158 overnight camps. Part of this new reality includes hiring more staff, since fewer are working the full summer. Camps are having to raise more money to keep up with rising costs and the increased demand for camper financial aid.

Some key takeaways from the report are:

• Camp enrolment continues to grow, with the largest gains coming from day camps. Day camps reached pre-pandemic enrolment levels in 2023. Overnight camps enrolment remained at 96% of 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, but 80% of overnight camps were expecting to increase their enrolment in 2024 – data for last summer are not yet available.

• Many staff are no longer working full summers, which is creating an increased need for seasonal staff positions. The total number of staff in summer 2023 was higher than in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and, given that many staff are not working a full summer, especially within overnight camps, there is a need for camps to hire more staff to fill in gaps.

• Increased turnover of Jewish camp professionals: 66% of reporting overnight camps and 58% of reporting day camps had professional staff leave their positions between fall 2022 and fall 2023.

• Families requested more financial aid from overnight camps than ever before. Overnight camps saw about a 30% increase in the amount of financial aid that families requested from their camps.

• MESSH (mental, emotional, social and spiritual) resources ranked highest in terms of the resources camps need. Camps also indicated a need for resources on character development and resilience-building; parent communication and engagement; antisemitism and bridging differences; and diversity, equity and inclusion. (It should be noted that this census was conducted before the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks on Israel and the ensuing war.)

• Capital needs are a big priority for camps across the field, as camps prioritize growing camper enrolment and making camp more accessible, all while upkeeping older buildings and facilities. Staff housing is a key need, as camps are unable to grow enrolment without it.

Camper satisfaction

Overnight camp overall satisfaction and likelihood to return both increased by 2% in 2023, with levels remaining relatively consistent since 2019, in the 91-94% range for satisfaction and 84-87% range for likelihood to return.

Alongside these trends, positive impacts for Jewish camp remained high, with 93% of families reporting that overnight camp made their child feel part of the larger Jewish community and peoplehood, and 90% of families reporting that camp has built important Jewish friendships for their child.

In addition, more than half of families reported that their child’s camp experience has motivated their child to participate in other Jewish programming throughout the year.

Regarding day camps, overall camper satisfaction was 87% and the likelihood to return 82% in 2023, levels that have remained relatively consistent since 2021. Further, 82% of families reported that their day camp created a culture of belonging for their child(ren) and 89% of families reported that it is important to them that camp provide an inclusive experience for everyone.

The situation in 2024

An article in the Jerusalem Post last month reported on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s three-day Jewish camp summit, which took place in Chicago in December. In the article, writer Howard Blas shares some data on the 2024 camp season, which was offered by the foundation’s chief executive officer, Jeremy J. Fingerman.

According to Fingerman, surveys indicated that, in 2024: “Nine in 10 families reported that camp created an environment that supported their children’s social and emotional health and well-being”; “85% of camp staff felt that camp connected them to feeling a part of the worldwide Jewish community”; “94% of parents shared that camp connected their child to the global Jewish community”; and “80% of North American overnight camp staff said camp helped them to connect to Israel and Israeli staff.”

– Courtesy Foundation for Jewish Camp

אייר קנדה מרחיבה את טיסותיה בשדה התעופה של ונקובר

אייר קנדה הודיעה לאחרונה על הרחבת טיסותיה מבסיסה שבשדה התעופה של ונקובר. חברת התעופה הלאומית של קנדה לא הודיעה בשלב זה על מועד חידוש טיסותיה לישראל

אייר קנדה החברה מציעה עתה שלושה קווים חדשים לארצות הברית: לטמפה, ראלי ונאשוויל. זאת במקביל להרחבת הטיסות משמעותית ליעדים הרגילים בארה”ב: אוסטין, דנבר ומיאמי. כך שגדל הגיוון של טיסות מקנדה לארה”ב באמצעות אייר קנדה

יחד עם שותפתה האמריקנית יונייטד איירליינס, אייר קנדה תציע עד קרוב לשמונת אלפים מושבים בשישים טיסות יומיות – ובאופן ישיר – לעשרים ואחד יעדים בארה”ב בקיץ הבא. מדובר בעלייה של כאחד עשר אחוז בקיבולת המושבים של אייר קנדה לעומת הקיץ שעבר. כל הטיסות לארה”ב זמינות כעת למכירה באתר החברה, דרך מרכזי השירות של אייר קנדה ודרך סוכני נסיעות

באייר קנדה מציינים כי הם שמחים להרחיב עוד יותר את הבסיס שלהם בוונקובר עם טיסות חדשות כל השנה לטמפה, קווים עונתיים לראלי ונאשוויל. וזאת עם קיבולת נוספת לאוסטין, דנבר ומיאמי. אייר קנדה ממשיכה לחזק את מעמדה כחברת התעופה המובילה בין קנדה לבין ארה”ב, עם טיסות חדשות לאזורים מטרופולינים שצומחים במהירות. וכן ליעדים מבוקשים, שעמם ללקוחות במערב קנדה יהיו יותר אפשרויות לגלות את כל מה שיש לארה”ב להציע. ובמקביל לאפשר ללקוחות האמריקנים של החברה הקנדית לחקור ולגלות את קנדה. הקווים החדשים ביותר של אייר קנדה מחזקים עוד יותר את האסטרטגיה שלה, של גישור יעיל יותר בין החלקים השונים של צפון אמריקה. וכן הגדלת יעדים בינלאומיים ברחבי אזור אסייה-פסיפיק, באמצעות שדה התעופה של ונקובר

בשדה התעופה של ונקובר שנמצא בעיר ריצ’מונד הסמוכה לוונקובר, מקבלים בסיפוק את הודעת אייר קנדה. בהנהלת השדה אומרים כי הם מאוד שמחים לראות כי הרשת הרחבה של אייר קנדה מוונקובר לארה”ב ממשיכה לצמוח, ולספק לנוסעים יותר מבחר ונוחות. הקווים החדשים של אייר קנדה מספקים גם לנוסעים יותר גמישות מארה”ב וכן גישה ישירה לכל מה של מחוז בריטיש קולומביה יש להציע. זאת, כולל חיבורים למגוון היעדים הגלובליים משדה התעופה של ונקובר

אייר קנדה מתכננת לאסור על תיקי יד בטיסות ולגבות מחיר עבור בחירת מושבים עבור לקוחותיה, שבוחרים את הכרטיסים הזולים ביותר. השינויים ייכנסו לתוקף בראשית השנה החדשה. זאת, במסגרת מדיניות החברה על פיה הנחות במחירים צפויות יותר ויותר למיינסטרים

כאמור החל מהשלושה בחודש ינואר, נוסעים בתעריף בסיסי והזול ביותר לטיולים בתוך צפון אמריקה וכן אל יעדי שמש החמים, יאלצו לשלם עבור תיקים אישיים, מזוודות על גלגלים שמתאימות למטוסים ותרמילים גדולים, שלושים וחמישה דולר עבור פריט אחד וחמישים דולר עבור שני פריטים. פריט אישי קטן כמו ארנק או תיק למחשב נייד יורשו לעלות על הסיפון בחינם, כמו גם עגלות, עזרי ניידות ומכשור רפואי

באייר קנדה אומרים כי החל מהעשרים ואחד בינואר, לקוחות מהדרג הנמוך יצטרכו לשלם – אם הם רוצים לשנות את המושב שהוקצה להם בזמן הצ’ק-אין. מדיניות זו השעתה על ידי אייר קנדה רק יומיים לאחר יישום מוקדם יותר השנה על רקע תגובה נגד מטיילים

המהלכים מסמנים מעבר לעבר הצעה בסגנון חברת תעופה תקציבית מחברת הדגל של קנדה, שיחד עם המתחרות מסתמכת יותר ויותר על עמלות נלוות עבור שירותים שנכללו בעבר, החל ממזוודות נשלחות ועד חטיפים על הסיפון וגישה לאינטרנט אלחוטי

אייר קנדה אומרת שהשינויים מיישרים את מבנה התעריפים שלה עם אפשרויות כרטיס דומות מחברות קנדיות אחרות ומבדילים טוב יותר את מותגי הטיסות שלה

אין סוף לאנטישמיות

לבעיית האנטישמיות כנגד יהודים וישראלים בעולם. אין ספק שמדינות המערב נכשלו בטיפול שורש בבעייה חמורה זו ואני חושש למראות קשים יותר בעתיד

גל האנטישמיות הנוכחי החל צובר תאוצה לאור הריגתם בעזה של עשרות ואלפי אזרחים בהם נשים וילדים רבים. יש מקום להעביר ביקורת על ישראל ולהפגין כנגדה בכל מקום בעולם. אך אסור בשום פנים ואופן לנקוט באלימות נגד תושבי ישראל והיהודים ברחבי העולם ולקרוא להשמדת המדינה. שנאה שכזו לא תביא לשום תוצאות חיוביות וכאמור על מדינות המערב להתחיל ולפעול בחריצות כנגדה

ישראלים רבים רואים את תמונת המצב בשני צבעים בלבד: שחור ולבן. מבינתם לאחר אירועי השבעה באוקטובר משנה שעברה עם ההתקפה הנוראית של הטרוריסטים מהחמאס וארגונים נוספים, מותר לישראל לעשות כרצונה – בדרך לחסל את הטרור בעזה, גם אם מדובר בהריגת עשרות אזרחים. אצל הישראלים – לאחר השבעה באוקטובר – אין שום מקום להעביר ביקורת על ישראל. וכל ביקורת היא אנטישמיות לשמה. הישראלים אומרים במפורש כי מה שלארה”ב ומדינות נוספות היה מותר לעשות באפגניסטן, עיראק, ויאטנם ומדינות נוספות, מותר גם לישראל לעשות. עמדה זו לא מקובלת עלי ואני טוען כי אין לישראל לגיטימציה לעשות את מה שמדינות אחרות עשו כיוון שמדובר בדברים חמורים מאוד. וכן אסור לשכוח לרגע שרצועת עזה נמצאת לפיתחה של ישראל והתוצאות האיומות של הרג אזרחים והריסת כשבעים אחוז מהבניינים לא יעלמו פתאום

לאור מחדלי ואירועי השבעה באוקטובר חלק מהישראלים מתקשים לעכל זאת, והפתרון נמצא בדת. אלוהים העניש את ישראל והנקמה (המוצדקת אגב) מתבצעת בשמו. בכך הם מורידים אחריות מהמדינה לגודל המחדלים שקדמו לשבעה באוקטובר, והופכים את החיים בישראל לקלים יותר

אני לא מזלזל באמונה של אלה שמאמינים באלוהים דעתי ידועה היא כי כל אחד יחיה באמונתו. אך אין מקום להכניס אמונות לנושאים אקטואליים ומעשיים כמו השבעה באוקטובר. האמונות מסוות למשל את חומרת המחדלים של ישראל בכל הרמות. האמונות כביכול נותנות מענה למצוקה הקשה והאישית עקב הדבר הנורא הזה שקרה לישראל אך אין בהם להביא לשום פתרון מעשי. אומר שוב: השבעה באוקטובר שהוא האירוע החמור ביותר לעם היהודי מאז ימי השואה, קרה בגלל שורת מחדלים קשה ביותר של ראש ממשלת ישראל, ממשלתו, הצבא וגורמי הביטחון. שום אמונה לא תשנה עובדה זו

יש לזכור שבישראל עצמה לאור שנים מתנהלת אנטישמיות נגד מתנגדי ראש הממשלה, בנימין נתניהו, וזה עובר יחסית בשתיקה. אין מספיק תגובות נגד הביביסטים שמתקיפים באלימות את משפחות החטופים. הביביסטים קוראים ליוצאי אירופה כמוני “אתם חזרו לאירופה כדי שהיטלר יחסל אתכם”. האם זו לא אנטישמיות שפלה ביותר? הגדילה לעשות שרת התחבורה, מירי רגב, שאמרה בצורה מבישה “הקפלניסטים הגיעו לבית של ביבי לסיים מה שחיזבאללה לא הצליח”. האם זו לא אנטישמיות

קודם כל צריך תסתכל טוב טוב במה שקורה בתוך ישראל לפני שמעבירים ביקורת על העולם. אני בטוח שיותר קל לדבר על זרים מאשר על חלק לא מבוטל ממדינת ישראל

לסיכום העניין יש לציין כי מצבה של ישראל והיהודים ברחבי העולם הוא מסובך ביותר. ישראל הפכה לאחת המדינות השנואות בעולם כיום והישראלים והיהודים בעולם נמצאים בסכנה מוחשית של אלימות ממשית. לאף אחד לא ברור עוד כמה זמן תימשך לחימת ישראל בעזה ורבים מתושבי המדינה היה רוצים כבר לראות את הסוף ושחררור החטופים שרובם כבר לא בחיים

Impacts of summer wildfires

Businesses in Valemount, BC, stepped up to help thousands of Jasper evacuees, but now find themselves struggling. (photo from Spencer Hall)

A member of the miniscule Jewish community in Valemount, a town in east-central British Columbia, reflected on the challenges of the past year and looked ahead with hope to 2025.

Spencer Hall is publisher and editor of the Rocky Mountain Goat newspaper, which serves Valemount, McBride and the Robson and North Thompson Valleys. When wildfires rampaged across the Alberta resort town of Jasper, about 90 minutes up the highway from Valemount, Hall’s newspaper was on the frontlines reporting as thousands of evacuees – residents and tourists – flowed in from the east.

On July 22, two wildfires exploded in the area around Jasper and fire officials and national park administrators evacuated the community in advance of the expanding inferno. The fire would tragically sweep away one-third of Jasper’s structures and kill one firefighter, 24-year-old Morgan Kitchen of Calgary.

A welcome centre was created in Valemount, the closest significant town to Jasper’s west. With just 1,000 full-time residents, Valemount was overwhelmed by the thousands of Jasper evacuees, but Valemountians came together to do all they could for their next-province neighbours.

“I was getting ready to get the paper out to press on a Monday night,” Hall recalled. “I just finished the layout for the evening and was about to go to bed, and then we hear that all the residents and the tourists that were in Jasper – and it was the summer, so there were many of them – were coming to Valemount. I threw on my clothes and went to the community centre. The mayor was standing in the rain directing traffic for hours in the parking lot of the community hall.”

photo - Spencer Hall, left, seated, helps register Jasper evacuees who came to Valemount — Spencer Hall, left, seated, helps register Jasper evacuees who came to Valemount. *(photo from Spencer Hall)*

Townsfolk quickly responded to the newcomers, who were suffering physically and emotionally.

“To see all of us come together, that was nice, but obviously it was very devastating, as the fire raged on and decimated 30% of the town [of Jasper],” said Hall. “You’d have people crying on the side of the street, understandably, because they just lost their house or their pets. It was a very dramatic week.”

The economy of Valemount and the surrounding areas – the tourist draw of Mount Robson is just up the road – depends greatly on tourism. Valemount attracts snowmobilers in winter and counts on drivers heading to and from Jasper for restaurant and hotel business year-round. The devastation in Jasper has had repercussions on both sides of the BC-Alberta boundary.

“Even though this fire wasn’t in our province, it did impact British Columbians, especially in Valemount,” Hall said. “We are seeing a lot less tourism.… There are business owners that are really struggling. Our restaurants have been impacted. We have one grocery store and they are feeling the impact as well.”

And the newspaper isn’t immune.

“The Goat has definitely been impacted because as revenues go down, the first thing people slash is their ad budget,” said Hall. “So we’ve been seeing less ads months later.”

The tourism downturn came at a particularly bad moment, as last winter saw lower-than-average snowfall, reducing the winter vacation crowds. Local businesses had hoped for a good summer to make up for the shortfall, but the July fires gutted that hope.

It is early yet in the winter sports season, but snowfall so far is promising.

“We’ve had a few people come out for snowmobiling,” Hall said. “I know that we have more snow than we had last year, so that’s good.”

Consultants are helping local businesses and the tourism authority is working to strengthen the sector. Hall said interprovincial jurisdictional issues, as well as a provincial election in British Columbia, may have slowed economic responses for the region, but the federal government seems to be particularly slow in responding.

photo - New Life Church in Valemount, BC, took in many evacuees and kept them fed — New Life Church in Valemount, BC, took in many evacuees and kept them fed. *(photo from Spencer Hall)*

The dramatic year was a trial by fire for the newspaper’s new owner, who took over the media outlet only in January. (See jewishindependent.ca/new-face-in-bc-media.)

“It was a lot,” said Hall. “I come from a radio background, where you’re able to communicate very, very quickly.”

The Goat, which is a weekly newspaper, effectively became a daily news platform during the fires. In addition to a new website, the Goat is developing a breaking news feature to respond immediately to any future events like last summer’s.

Another Jewish community member, Vancouver doctor Larry Barzelai, worries that the fires Jasper saw will be an increasingly common occurrence.

Barzelai, who is BC chair of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), said that almost every year brings a climate-related catastrophe.

“This year with Jasper, last year was West Kelowna, two years before that was Lytton that burned to the ground,” Barzelai said. “There is a pattern here. It’s not getting any better and I don’t think it will.”

CAPE has been trying to shift the dialogue, said Barzelai, but things won’t change until people change their patterns and lifestyles, massively reducing the use of fossil fuels.

“Until we get a handle on that, things are not going to improve,” said Barzelai. “I’d like to have something more optimistic to say, but it’s tough finding optimism when you see what’s going on in the world.”

A United Nations study issued recently reported that three-quarters of the earth’s surface is permanently drier than it has ever been.

“It’s just another piece of evidence that we are going in the wrong direction. The world is heating up and we’re letting it get hotter and hotter,” Barzelai said.

Fighting antisemitism

In Toronto, Yoseph Haddad, left, with Daniel Koren, founder and executive director of Allied Voices for Israel, which sponsored Haddad’s Canadian tour. (photo by Dave Gordon)

In recent years, Arab-Israeli activist Yoseph Haddad has become known for his efforts to fight antisemitism and present Israel’s perspective to international audiences, and he has taken up this mantle with much greater emphasis since Oct. 7, 2023. This month, Haddad’s Canadian tour, organized by Allied Voices for Israel, took him to Montreal, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.

At Toronto’s Shaarei Shomayim Synagogue, Haddad, who leads the Israeli nonprofit Together Vouch For Each Other, which works to bridge the gaps between Arabs and Jews in Israel, covered a few topics. He spoke about how his army service changed his life, how he protested anti-Israel agitators with pro-Israel Concordia students, and what he believes is Canada’s complacency towards antisemitism.

Though he was not obligated to serve in the Israel Defence Forces, Haddad voluntarily enlisted in the army in November 2003, more emboldened to do so after the terrorist bombing of Maxim restaurant in Haifa that left 21 dead and 60 injured. According to Haddad, Maxim was an establishment where the co-owners, employees and patrons were Arabs and Jews. It was an emblem of coexistence in Israel.

Haddad said it was the name of Israel’s army, the Israel Defence Forces, that helped him further understand that the force was defending all people in the country, not just Jews. During his service, he was a commander over Jewish soldiers, and he offered this as one of many examples that punctures the lie that Israel practises apartheid.

He related a story about when he was accused at a public speech of being an “idiot,” of being used by the Jews, and that he would be eventually “thrown to the garbage.” He had an easy rejoinder, he said.

While fighting in the 2006 Lebanon War, he suffered a life-threatening injury four days before the ceasefire, when a Hezbollah antitank missile exploded nearby and severed his leg. At risk to their own lives, his battalion carried him to safety. After treatment and extensive rehabilitation, he can even play soccer. He told the audience, if his unit wanted to throw him away, that would have been the time to do it.

Haddad warned of refugees and immigrants from the Middle East, some of whom, he said, bring extremism to Canada.

“Instead of adopting Western values, instead of adopting Canada’s laws, they’re actually trying to change it to Sharia,” he said. “And that’s the biggest problem.”

Canadian authorities, he said, are “ostriches” who have their heads in the sand.

“When it comes to dealing with extremism and terrorism and terror supporters, zero tolerance [should be the response], and that’s what Canada should do,” said Haddad.

It’s also a lesson for Israel, he added. In June 2023, he said, Hezbollah “infiltrated” Israel and set up in Israeli territory, a situation that Israel dealt with diplomatically. But this gave the terror group the sense that Israel didn’t care much for the land, didn’t care that an enemy had squatted on it, and that Israelis were “scared,” Haddad said. It contributed to Hezbollah’s perception on Oct. 8, 2023, when firing rockets, that “they thought that we are weak, because we presented ourselves as weak.” He said that, if he had been in charge, he would have flown F16s over the tents and bombed them.

The United Nations and the International Criminal Court are “really obvious for bias,” in ignoring the crimes of North Korea, Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Syria “and other countries who have zero human rights,” said Haddad. The UN “is adopting the narrative of a terrorist organization” when citing casualty numbers from the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, he added.

Haddad encouraged Israel advocates to speak out on social media: “If you see content which is anti-Israeli, report it. Leave a comment. Leave an Israeli flag. And if you see a pro-Israel comment, support it, share it, show it to other friends, take part in that, because we’re out there.”

Haddad is active on multiple platforms, including YouTube, and he posts content in Hebrew, English and Arabic, with nearly two million followers.

Haddad said he remains optimistic. What uplifted him especially was having seen IDF soldiers in Gaza last summer who included “all the identities of the Israeli society.” They were, he said, united in two missions: find and free the hostages, and eliminate the terrorists. “And the only way that we can be supported,” he said, “is by being united, left and right, Jews and Arabs, secular and religious. And, I promise you, if society is united, there isn’t one single terrorist organization that can beat us.”

At the Toronto talk, journalist and activist Raheel Raza, a Pakistani-Canadian, was honoured for her decades-long allyship to the Jewish community.

At the Vancouver event, which took place at Temple Sholom, speakers included Daniel Koren, founder and executive director of Allied Voices for Israel, and students Zara Nybo and Ben Morrison. Jaime Stein, whose uncle, Dr. Steve Stein, was title sponsor for the cross-Canada tour, also addressed the audience. Grand Chief Lynda Prince, AVI Allyship Award recipient, spoke of Jewish indigeneity and connections between Indigenous Canadians and Israel. David Bogdonov spoke on behalf of the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation.

Nybo, a University of British Columbia student, is the president of the Israel Club on her campus, though she herself is not Jewish.

“Israel is fighting a seven-front war. We, as students, are fighting on the eighth front of that war – on college and university campuses,” she said. “I am going to war with my peers, my professors, the administration and even the UBC president. I don my hostage pin and head out the door every day into an unknown battlefield of anti-Israel rhetoric, terrorist supporters, and antisemitism.”

Nybo said students are “being brainwashed and fed purposeful disinformation about Israel and the history of the Middle East every single day” while a “prominent” history professor for Middle Eastern studies at UBC wears a keffiyeh on campus, joins pro-Palestine rallies “and encourages his students to do the same for extra credit.”

She said, “I am standing here sounding the alarm about the bias ingrained in the university academic system.”

This “overwhelming systemic issue,” she said, can be confronted with education and by empowering students, as she was. Nybo had a campus media fellowship with AVI and HonestReporting Canada. This helped her hone her writing and editing skills, and her pro-Israel articles have been published in the National Post, Jewish Independent and Algemeiner. She was subsequently accused by a professor as being “employed by Zionist entities,” she said.

But challenges such as these can be faced when students are brought together, she said, “under the banner of allyship, building bridges and empowering students to speak out, all while providing community reinforcement.”

Dave Gordon is a Toronto-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in more than 100 publications around the world. His website is davegordonwrites.com.