TORONTO — He stood up for Israel, and now the Harold Green Jewish Theatre will be standing for him.
Ucal Powell
This October, the theatre will be honouring Ucal Powell, the executive secretary treasurer of the Carpenters’ Union in Central Ontario. Powell, who immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in 1969 and joined the Carpenters’ Union in 1970, is a friend of the Jewish community, supporting both Israel and the local diaspora.
In 2008, when the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions, Powell and the Carpenters’ Union put forth a resolution supporting Israel and peace in the Middle East at their 2008 Canada Conference.
“There has been a great deal of misinformation circulated about Israel by some misguided Canadian labour organizations. The Carpenters’ Union felt very strongly that the record had to be corrected,” said Powell in an e-mail interview about the resolution.
“I can assure your readers that the Carpenters’ Union will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the State of Israel and Canada’s Jewish community for many years to come.”
Aside from publicly supporting Israel, Powell has also supported causes including the State of Israel Bonds and the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies.
But this isn’t exactly common knowledge, said Cary Green, who helped found the theatre.
“I would describe Ucal as one of the great unsung heroes in the Jewish community,” said Green. “When you do a gala, you look for someone to honour…Here was an opportunity for me, as a friend…to have him highlighted.
“I want the Jewish community to recognize its friends, and Ucal is certainly one of the greats among them.”
The gala itself, which will raise money and awareness for the theatre, will be held on Oct. 7 and will feature Louise Pitre, a Tony nominated actress and singer, as well as musical guests Beyond the Pale.
Avery Saltzman and David Eisner, the theatre’s artistic directors, are taking a two-pronged approach with the gala, which will include dinner along with the entertainment.
“Our guests are coming because they’re fond supporters of Ucal Powell or are friends of the Harold Green family and supporters of the company,” said Saltzman.
Eisner agreed.
“It’s kind of a neat trick. Not only do they honour someone that’s never been honoured, they get to support a Jewish theatre company.”
For Powell, the theatre is a worthy cause.
“[The theatre] is an organization that is mandated to celebrate and share Jewish culture through the creative arts. In addition, this theatre company helps to foster tolerance by providing audiences of all cultures and backgrounds with a better understanding of the dynamic nature of Jewish culture,” Powell said.
“We are blessed to live in a country that celebrates diversity as a core value and fundamental element of our national identity. And I know that we will continue to cherish our diversity as long as organizations like the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company continue to thrive.”
The gala, which is co-produced by the Canadian Council of Carpenters, will take place at the Paramount Conference and Event Venue on 222 Rowntree Dairy Rd. in Woodbridge. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information, visit www.hgjewishtheatre.com.
