Youth on the right path

Editor: Judaism is alive and flourishing in Vancouver. Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a debate sponsored for the Jewish day schools of Greater Vancouver. About 165 young people, from grades 4 to 7 inclusive, participated in this evening. Among them was my grandson, Benjamin, who is in Grade 5 at Richmond Jewish Day School.

The subjects chosen were varied and exciting and ranged from the astronaut Ilan Ramon (about 12 kids chose this subject) to celebrating Chanukah, Jean Chrétien, how Shabbat is celebrated in one young man's home, what one young woman would do if she were prime minister of Israel, Jonathan Netanyahu and so forth. One young girl gave a beautiful speech in very fluent Hebrew.

I can truly say that it was a never-to-be-forgotten evening for me. At the end of the night, when all the individual winners were announced, the Wosk Auditorium was filled to capacity and the decorum was exemplary.

"Kol Hakovod" to the organizers, the judges, the participants and their families. I sincerely believe that, as long as these types of evenings continue, we will have no problem keeping our Jewish youth on the right path to Judaism.

Betty Mintzberg
Vancouver