October 1: Canada Briefs

Christians Raise Cash

HAMILTON — For the second straight year, a group of Christian friends of Israel will hold a fundraiser at the headquarters of Christian Crossroads Communications in Burlington, Ont., to benefit  Shechafim Regional Rehabilitation School in Israel’s Upper Galilee region. Last year’s event drew more than 300 people, mostly Christian, and raised some $14,000. This year’s event, on Oct. 20, is being planned by Bob and Sandy Maton of Ancaster, Ont., a suburb of Hamilton, and will feature speakers such as CJN columnist Rabbi Bernard Baskin and David Mainse, founder of Crossroads’ daily evangelical talk show 100 Huntley Street.

Shul Suspects Vandals

MONTREAL — Vandalism, not anti-Semitism, was behind the Sept. 14 destruction of two stained glass windows at the Sephardi Petah Tikvah congregation in St. Laurent, its executive director said. “It was probably young people who hang around the area and smoke,” said Simone Felece. Two rocks destroyed the windows, valued at $30,000. “It cost another $8,000 to get rid of the broken glass,” she added. It was unknown last week if insurance will cover the damage. Felece said it’s the first time in her 21 years as executive director that the 300-family shul, built in 1975, has been vandalized. It has security cameras, but the incident took place overnight beyond their range, she said.

Kanee Named To Hall

WINNIPEG — Former Canadian Jewish Congress president Sol Kanee is this year’s inductee to Winnipeg’s Citizens Hall of Fame. Kanee, who died in 2007 at age 98, was a lawyer and busi­­nessman who served on several boards, including as chair of the University of Manitoba’s board of governors and the United Way. He was also an officer of the Order of Canada. Inductees to the hall, founded in 1986, include Canwest Global founder Izzy Asper and ex-Tory premier Duff Roblin.