Tuesday February 16th, Queen’s Israel on Campus was privileged to have the Right Honourable Herb Gray visit to talk about Canadian-Israeli relations. Over seventy students and community members were in attendance to hear Herb Gray’s presentation outlining the history and current status of Canada’s strong ties to Israel. By providing historical context and outlining Canada’s role in the founding of the Jewish State, Herb Gray was able to illuminate Canada’s strong and healthy relationship with Israel. Focusing on the two countries shared values and our strong political, economic, educational and cultural bonds, Herb Gray gave valuable insight in Canada’s foreign policy regarding Israel. Queen’s Israel on Campus was honoured to have such a distinguished guest.

The Israel Awareness Committee of Ottawa launches fundraising campaign

Ottawa, ON, Canada February 15, 2010 — The Israel Awareness Committee of Ottawa (IAC) and Hillel Ottawa: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life are pleased to announce the successful launch of a fundraising campaign for Save a Child’s Heart. On Thursday, February 11, over 100 university students came out to “Party for a Child’s Heart” at The Drink club and lounge. Save a Child’s Heart, based on Holon, Israel, provides lifesaving heart surgeries to children from the developing world.

The party raised neatly $1000 and was organized entirely by students from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, who are members of the Israel Awareness Committee, a non-denominational group dedicated to engaging in debate, discussion, and dialogue on Israeli society, culture, and politics.

Lead organizer Adam Moscoe was inspired to spearhead this campaign after visiting Save a Child’s Heart’s Children’s Home in December. “I was touched by the children, parents, and volunteers at the home. This is Tikkun Olam — the Jewish principle of “repairing the world” — in its highest form,” says Moscoe, who hopes to return as a volunteer this summer.

Among the children currently in Israel is six-year old Woodley Elysee, from Haiti, who received surgery last week to allow oxygen to circulate properly throughout his body. Without SACH, Wadley would likely not have survived past the age of 10.

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Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) is an Israeli-based international humanitarian project, whose mission is to improve the quality of pediatric cardiac care for children from developing countries who suffer from heart disease and to create centers of competence in these countries.

SACH is motivated by the age-old Jewish tradition of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world. By mending the hearts of children, regardless of their origin, SACH is contributing to a better and more peaceful future for all of our children.

Since 1995, Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) has treated more than 2,200 children suffering from congenital and rheumatic heart disease aging from infancy to 18 years of age from the “four corners of the Earth” -  36 countries where adequate medical care is unavailable.

40% of the children who underwent cardiac surgery are from Africa; 49% from the Palestinian Authority, Jordan & Iraq; 4% from Moldova, Russia and former USSR and 7% from China, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

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Contact Adam Moscoe, head of campaign team, at israelaffairs@hillelottawa.ca
613-620-6892

The Israel Awareness Committee (IAC) is a non-denominational group dedicated to engaging in debate, discussion, and dialogue on Israeli society, culture, and politics. The Israel Awareness Committee is dedicated to promoting a peaceful existence of Israel, the Jewish homeland, representing the entire spectrum of political views and backgrounds and showcasing the political and cultural life of Israel through innovative and engaging programming.
The IAC is affiliated with Hillel Ottawa: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.
For more information, contact israelaffairs@hillelottawa.ca

McGill Students Stand Against the Singling Out of Israel

Montreal – February 11, 2010 – Last night, student activists from Hillel McGill, with the support of the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (CFJS) rallied hundreds to attend the General Assembly meeting of the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU) and defeat an anti-Israel resolution that could have been used to promote the radical agenda of “Boycotts, Divestment & Sanctions” (BDS).

Instead of supporting a resolution that was aimed solely at delegitimizing the State of Israel, McGill students voted overwhelmingly to re-focus the resolution in support of human rights and equity around the world.

“Students at McGill have spoken, and it’s clear that they do not support this negative obsession with Israel,” said Mookie Kideckel, President of Hillel McGill.  “Last night reaffirmed my pride in being a member of the McGill community.”

“This is a big win for students all across the country,” said Noah Kochman, Chair of Political Affairs for CFJS.  “Proponents of the BDS movement are trying to convince people of all their successes, yet it’s clear time and time again that their messages and tactics do not resonate with a majority of students in this country.”

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For more information:

Mookie Kideckel
President, Hillel McGill
514-850-9616
mookie.kideckel@gmail.com

Noah Kochman
Political Affairs Chair, CFJS
514-909-8378
noahk@cfjs.ca

On January 21st Hillel @ York hosted a screening of the film, “Shield of Solomon,” which traces the journey of four  Sudanese refugees and was followed with a Q & A with the director of the film, Igal Hecht.  Over twelve different student campus organizations came together to learn about Sudanese refugees finding a home and solace in Israel.  Everyone walked away having learned about the plight of Sudanese refugees and the aid Israelis have provided while thinking about what the government of Israel’s actions and policies should be towards African migrant workers and refugees.

Vancouver Hillel hosted Regina Waldman, head of Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa. Gina screened the moving film The Forgotten Refugees, about the 900,000 Jews from the Middle East and North Africa who have been made refugees in the past six decades. The film provides an outline for one of the least known but vitally central realities in contemporary Middle East history. Her personal story of escaping anti-Jewish street riots in Libya after the Six Day War is moving, emotional and beautifully told. Hers is a story that needs to be heard and she is such a charismatic individual that students felt a bond with her immediately.

Israel Day is a unique opportunity each year for Israel On Campus to utilize the main atrium at the University Community Centre to high lite the best that Israel has to offer. This year’s theme was ” The Israeli Shuk”. The entire room was transformed into a large Israeli marketplace, selling and displaying everything from dead sea products to Free falafel for all! As well, a  group of students at the Jewish Day School performed beautifully on the main stage, featuring Israeli song and dance. There was a strong element of education, with interactive information booths about the history, culture, religions, and beauty that make up Israel. Booths displayed the various humanitarian efforts pursued by Israel, A large model Kotel in which to to insert notes, traditional Israeli food, famous Israeli places and faces and much much more! This program and others like it provide an opportunity for the student community by getting beyond the politics, and finding a common ground.

Concordia Hillel was awarded the “Best clubs fair participation award” by the Concordia Student Union. The award was granted to Hillel for it’s “tireless effort, commitment and contribution to student life”

Hillel McGill  hosted a “Noodle Night” partnered with the McGill Chinese Student Association. The night included a screening of the Israeli movie “Noodle” and Chinese food. The event was well attended by both Chinese and Jewish students.