The decision of Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean to dissolve Parliament and call a federal election for Oct. 14 presents a unique opportunity for Canadian Jewry to orchestrate a sparkling kiddush HaShem (“Federal election called for Oct. 14,” CJN, Sept. 11). This is because Oct. 14 is the first day of the yom tov of Sukkot, a holy day when all servile labour is prohibited for Jews according to the divine law. Voting is impossible for a Jew, because writing is one of the 39 activities that are contraindicated on the Sabbath and festivals.
Accordingly, if every Canadian Jew can make the heroic effort to register for advance polling and hence avoid performing any labour on yom yov, this will serve as a message to humanity that Canadian Jewry is proud to keep the Torah, thereby sanctifying the Name of Heaven. At the same time, Canadian Jewry will diligently do its part to participate in the democratic process, thereby promoting the welfare of Canadian society.
It is certainly of interest to note in this regard that the Talmud derives from Scripture that in reward for Jews observing the first day of the yom tov of Sukkot, the Temple will be rebuilt, ushering in an era of universal peace and prosperity. Thus, all of humanity will benefit from the awesome kiddush HaShem that will be performed by Canadian Jewry.
Shalom Spira
Montreal

Setting an election for Oct. 14, one of the Jewish Holy Days of Sukkot, is simply outrageous (“Federal election called for Oct. 14,” CJN, Sept. 11). While some argue that with advance polls, Jewish voters can vote on any one of several days before the actual election, what about Jewish candidates who wish to campaign on election day? What about Jewish volunteers who would normally assist candidates and campaigns on election day and assist with transportation to the polls for the elderly and the infirm?
Many are quick to point to the prime minister’s support for Israel and the Jewish community and for his supposed support for minorities in general. But what kind of support does it show when he schedules an election, having been specifically reminded in advance by the Canadian Jewish Congress that it will conflict with a Jewish holiday?
Surely, no prime minister would schedule an election for Christmas Day or Easter, so why is it that this prime minister saw fit to set this unnecessary election to conflict with Sukkot?
Leigh Lampert
Toronto

I was both dismayed and disappointed, though to be perfectly honest, not overly surprised to read that Rabbi Reuven Balka, co-president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, so easily and shamefully gave away our integrity as a religio-national community when he accepted Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s explanation for the so-called necessity of scheduling the upcoming vanity election on Sukkot (“Federal election called for Oct. 14,” CJN, Sept. 11).
The explanation the community has given – that there will be numerous advanced polls – is not at all the point. The point is that by scheduling the election for a major Jewish holiday, the Conservative leader has shown enormous disrespect for the Jewish community he so eagerly courts. The idea that the election could not be on any other day besides this Jewish holiday is insulting to all of us.
The timing of this election is exclusively designed to suit the partisan political needs of the Conservative party. When Harper scheduled the election for Sukkot, the Jewish community had a chance to reassert its leadership in Canadian politics. It had a chance to use its voice independently for the greater good. Instead, the community handed the Tories a senseless and undeserved victory on a silver platter. I can’t help but wonder if the reaction would have been the same if it was “Prime Minister” Stéphane Dion making the call, instead of Harper.
Corey Shefman
Thornhill, Ont.

Listeriosis has finally come to Quebec, and the federal government wants to revamp the food inspection system so that there would be no recurrences of such tragedies that the listeriosis outbreak caused in Ontario.
Reports have leaked that the federal government intends to allow the food industry to police itself. However, a much tougher stance is needed to protect the population. Now, if the government would get a group of tough kosher food inspectors to inspect these foods, Canadians would eat healthier, tastier and safer. That would also mean that we all would be forced to eat cholent on Saturday. Think of how this would cause a decrease in winter heating costs.
This all may sound a bit comical, but eating kosher saves lives, as long as you resist the urge to have chicken schmaltz on your challah!
Harry Grunstein
Hampstead, Que.

I am 28 years old and a cancer survivor. Thirteen years ago, I was diagnosed with lymphoma and underwent a chemotherapy treatment at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. During that treatment, I became involved with the Terry Fox Foundation as a “Terry’s Team member.” As a volunteer team member, I visit schools with a foundation representative to share my story of battling cancer with students.
I am reaching out to anyone who has had cancer to get involved as a Terry’s Team member. The Terry Fox Foundation is currently looking for cancer survivors, preferably aged 10 to 25, in any area of Ontario. To volunteer, contact Lisa Armstrong at 1-888-836-9786, ext. 224. I promise you that becoming a Terry’s Team member will enrich you with experiences that will stay with you a lifetime.
Adam Green
Toronto