Harper honoured at Wiesenthal benefit

TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the Simon Wiesenthal International Leadership Award from the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) at its annual Spirit of Hope Benefit in Toronto on Sunday.

Harper, who attended the event along with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and numerous other political leaders, received the award for his actions in defence of international human rights and principled stance on issues linked to the Center’s mission, the FSWC said in a statement.

“The Simon Wiesenthal International Leadership Award is the highest honour bestowed by our organization and is respectfully named after Simon Wiesenthal, a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and human rights,” said Rabbi Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles.

“Prime Minister Harper has demonstrated strong moral strength in his actions on the domestic and international levels and in understanding the difficulties of the Jewish people in Canada, Israel and throughout the world.”

The award was the second that  Harper received on Sunday from a major Jewish organization. Earlier in the day, he accepted the Saul Hayes Human Rights Award from Canadian Jewish Congress at its 29th Plenary Assembly at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in Toronto.

More than 2,000 people representing numerous cultural, professional, community and governmental groups gathered at Roy Thomson Hall to show support for the FSWC and raise funds for its 2010 education programs.

“Since 2004, the Spirit of Hope Benefit event has given Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center hope and moral support to help its staff and volunteers deliver quality programs throughout the year,” said FSWC chairman Gerald Schwartz, president and CEO of Onex Corporation. “On behalf of the board, I congratulate everyone involved with the organization for harnessing our collective hope and transforming it into consistent action.”

Avi Benlolo, president and CEO of the FSWC, praised supporters for sticking with the organization during the recession.

“We urged our donors and the broader community to stay committed to our organization during these tough economic times, and the response has been remarkable,” Benlolo said. “Our society cannot afford to turn its back on community-based education programs and allow hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism to grow in our communities. This show of support, which included impressive government representation, helps us renew our drive to reach even more people in 2010.”

—Compiled by CJN Staff