University Campuses Across the Country Launch the “Size Doesn’t Matter” Campaign

TORONTO – February 18, 2010 – Students from 23 universities across the country have joined together to launch a nationally branded and coordinated campaign called Size Doesn’t Matter.  Aimed at highlighting the multitude of Israeli accomplishments and contributions, this campaign is the result of the combined efforts by the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (CFJS), local Hillels, Jewish Student Associations, and Israel on Campus organizations across Canada.

The Size Doesn’t Matter campaign is a cutting-edge social media experience that will include viral videos, an interactive website, feature films and promotional items.  In addition, this campaign will host some of the world’s most respected speakers on issues related to the Middle East, including: Khaled Abu Toameh, Dr. Joel Kotek, Dr. Mohammed Wattad, and Ismael Khaldi.

“We are very excited about this campaign,” said Rebecca Cherniak, Israel Affairs Chair for the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students.  “On many Canadian campuses, Israel is often vilified by anti-Israel proponents.  The Size Doesn’t Matter campaign will showcase an Israel that many students have never seen before.” strong

For more information, please visit www.sizedoesntmatter.ca

On Tuesday, February 9^th, CJPAC Fellows Ben Singer, Leore Zimner and Beth Cole hosted “An Evening with Ed Holder” at Barney’s Lounge. The event was sponsored by CJPAC and the UWO Tories. Mr. Holder, Conservative MP for the London West Riding, spoke about his experiences as a member of the London community, volunteerism, international trade, the Canada-Israel relationship and the Iranian nuclear threat. Students and community members enjoyed chatting with Mr. Holder and learning more about how they could get involved in the Canadian political scene.

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

It was a weekend to remember. The four-day CJPAC Fellowship Conference in Ottawa went by in a flash. From January 28-31, CJPAC Fellows from universities across Canada gathered in Ottawa for an exciting and stimulating weekend. The schedule was packed, and we were privileged to hear from many well-respected figures on the political stage.

On Thursday, January 28, after all of the Fellows arrived at the Minto Suites Hotel, we had dinner with Hon. Peter Kent, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas). We were also briefed by Canada-Israel Committee’s CEO Shimon Fogel and Government Relations Research Associate Noah Shack. Dinner was followed by a relaxing night at the Sir John A Pub.

Friday’s schedule was extremely busy. We spent the morning on Parliament Hill, where we heard from politicians of all political stripes. Former Bloc Quebecois MP Richard Marceau spoke to us about working with the Bloc. We also heard from Montreal Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, Minister of Transport John Baird, and NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul Dewar.

Furthermore, we were lucky to hear from Conservative MP Randy Hoback in the House of Commons, where he spoke to us about the most important local issues in his riding of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

The morning was capped off with a surprise meeting with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff in the office of the Official Opposition Leader.

Our meetings with all of the politicians culminated with a Question and Answer session and gave us a great opportunity to engage with them in a productive and enlightening dialogue.

Friday afternoon was very busy as well. We heard from staffers who work for Minister Peter Kent and Liberal MP Ken Dryden, and we also had a session about political fundraising. The afternoon concluded with a visit to the Department of Foreign Affairs, where we heard about Canada’s policies regarding Iran and the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

On Friday night, the Fellows were treated to a wonderful Shabbat dinner at the Minto Suites.

Saturday’s schedule featured a variety of exciting speakers. We heard from a former representative of the Liberal Party Mark Resnick; Brad Lavigne, the National Director of the federal NDP; and Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre. Each speaker focused on their respective party’s relationship with the Canadian Jewish community.

The day also included a stimulating session with Chad Rogers from Navigator, where we were able to learn about political communication and the ingredients of successful election campaigns. The Fellows also participated in a media training session with Jordan Kerbel of Canadian Jewish Congress and a campus politics workshop  to conclude the afternoon.  Saturday night was spent at Fat Tuesday’s restaurant, where we had dinner and enjoyed drinks.

Sunday morning featured several workshops on election campaigns, where we got to put our skills to use and took part in several election campaign role-plays. We were also joined by CIC’s Director of Government Relations David Cooper who gave us an interesting brief.

While the conference flew by in four days, it is safe to say that all of the CJPAC Fellows had a very stimulating experience in Ottawa. Politically active university students from coast to coast were brought together and had the opportunity to forge new working relationships and friendships. For the CJPAC Fellows of 2009-2010, the Ottawa Conference represents an important step towards active lifelong involvement in the Canadian political arena. For Canada’s Jewish community, the CJPAC Fellows represent many of the community’s future leaders.

- Jonathan Mackenzie
CJPAC Fellow and Law student (Osgoode Hall Law School, York University)

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.