Hillel Tu b’Shvat event in Halifax draws 125 students
Hillel House in Halifax welcomed close to 125 creative students for Tu b’Shvat at an event co-sponsred by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and JNF.
Does banning anti-Muslim remarks prevent radicalization?
The Quebec government has introduced Bill 59, which sets out to combat publicly disseminated hate speech and speech inciting violence.
Mount Royal Liberal hopeful gets prominent local backing
MONTREAL — Liberal Anthony Housefather’s bid to become the next MP for Mount Royal has received a major boost, with ringing endorsements from the dean of Montreal city council, Marvin Rotrand, as well as former D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman and Russell Copeman, borough mayor of Côte des Neiges-Notre Dame de Grâce.
A broad spectrum of cultural community, municipal and public school representatives were also on hand to give their support to Housefather at the official opening of his campaign office Sept. 9.
Holocaust education sees growth in Quebec
A generation ago, the Jewish community feared the Shoah would be forgotten because young people weren’t learning about it. But that has changed dramatically in Quebec in the last few years, says Alice Herscovitch, executive director of the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre (MHMC), which has seen a surge of interest from teachers and students about the Holocaust.
Quebec hate bill could stifle free speech, CIJA says
MONTREAL — Quebec’s proposed legislation to combat hate speech is so flawed that it should be completely reworked and resubmitted for public consultation, according to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
The Jewish community advocacy group told the public hearings that began last week that it is “perilous to use civil law to accomplish what is treated adequately by criminal law.”
Israeli consul general impressed with N.S. summer camp
HALIFAX — On a glorious July afternoon, the eyes of Ziv Nevo Kulman expressed admiration and sometimes envy of what Camp Kadimah in Nova Scotia offers more than 250 campers and 100 staff.
“What a wonderful place,” said the Israeli consul general for Quebec and the Atlantic provinces during a three-hour visit to the venerable camp that opened in 1943 at Barss Corner, about 100 kilometres from Halifax on Nova Scotia’s south shore.
Prominent Montreal rabbi named to lead New York shul
MONTREAL — Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, spiritual leader of Congregation Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem (TBDJ) since 1996, is leaving Montreal to assume the pulpit of a prominent New York synagogue.
He has been appointed senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (KJ) on Manhattan’s Upper East Side as of Jan. 1, ending what has been almost a family dynasty.
Exhibit features Jewish artists in Atlantic Canada
HALIFAX — More than 100 people attended the July 8 premiere of Jewish Artists in Atlantic Canada, a magnificent, first-ever, display of the works of Jewish artists from the Atlantic provinces.
The Halifax exhibit runs until July 31 at the Nova Scotia Archives Chase Gallery. It featured more than 60 pieces by 20 regional artists who work in several media.
CIJA praises report questioning handling of Lev Tahor case
MONTREAL — The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is praising a scathing Quebec Human Rights Commission (QHRC) report that said a lack of consultation and communication between Quebec youth protection, school, social service and police officials in last year’s Lev Tahor case was mainly what prevented the welfare of the group’s 134 children from being top priority.
“It’s coherent and it’s relevant,” David Ouellette, CIJA’s associate director for Quebec public affairs, said of the report.
Jews and Muslims commit to get to know each other
MONTREAL — Representatives of the Montreal Jewish and Muslim communities have agreed to co-operate in areas of common concern and to encourage greater contact between their members.
