Jewish Independent: A change of scenery

Advocacy groups move down to highrise haven.
VERONIKA STEWART

The recent move of two prominent Jewish advocacy groups in the Lower Mainland to the downtown core will bring aid to the community's burgeoning downtown population, according to Mira Oreck, regional director of Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC).

The offices of the CJC and the local Canada-Israel Committee (CIC) now have a combined workspace at the corner of Alberni and Thurlow streets downtown.

After having their office at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) for at least 15 years, Oreck said the move is a reaction to where people now work and live in the community.

"I think [the move is] a great thing for the Vancouver Jewish community that has a growing population of Jews living downtown. And it provides a new centre for downtown meetings," Oreck said.

She said the office will be open for use by organizations not based in the area of 41st and Oak.

"I think our office will be used by the Downtown Jewish Community Association, by the Jewish war veterans ... and other Jewish organizations that need to hold meetings downtown are certainly welcome to use our space," Oreck said. "It's sort of a new landmark of Jewish advocacy in Vancouver."

Mark Weintraub, chair of CJC Pacific Region, agreed.

"I see the effect to be a very positive one for the future of the Jewish community," Weintraub said. "The move to downtown Vancouver really positions ourselves in the heart of what is one of the most creative and dynamic urban centres in North America."

He also said because CJC is mostly involved in advocating for Jewish rights in the non-Jewish community, the downtown office will be better able to facilitate CJC's meetings with organizations outside the community.

Previously housed in the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, CIC director Michael Elterman said, as a new organization, the CIC didn't really have a home until moving downtown.

"At the point that the CJC decided that they needed to move out, it was an opportunity for CIC to consolidate the community's advocacy branches into one space," Elterman explained. "There was going to be a certain savings and economy of scale by having just one office that was essentially divided into CJC and the Canada-Israel Committee."

Elterman said there is a "certain symmetry" in having an organization responsible within the Jewish community for providing information on Israel and an organization responsible for the quality of Jewish life in Canada share the same space.

Elterman said another advantage of sharing space with the CJC downtown is that while the CIC was located in the JCC, it was assumed their work was geared solely towards a Jewish audience, which is not the case.

"In reality, the work of the CIC is actually addressed to the work of the non-Jewish community: telling the story of what is happening in Israel and doing advocacy on behalf of Israel to the non-Jewish community," Elterman said. "So by having an office that eventually puts us on a professional basis downtown, where we are close to businesses and to professional associations, was really putting advocacy on a much more professional level."

Like Oreck, Elterman said he thinks the new locale will cater to those who base themselves downtown.

"I think it opens up opportunities for us to have more meetings over lunch hour and during the day for people whose work and business is in downtown Vancouver," Elterman said.

Established in 1919, CJC is a national organization advocating Jewish human rights issues. It has been among many groups at the forefront of advocating a comprehensive approach to human rights, not only for Jewish Canadians, but other minority groups as well.

Its cohabitant, the Vancouver branch of the CIC, was established in 2004 and is a representative of Canada's Jewish community on issues pertaining mainly to Canada-Israel relations. Despite being a fairly new organization in the area, the CIC has created programs to keep the community in touch with Israel and its relations with Canada, including missions to Israel and teaching classes on socioeconomic issues pertaining to Israel.

Veronika Stewart is a student intern at the Independent.

http://www.jewishindependent.ca/Archives/April06/archives06Apr07-03.html

Globe and Mail: Bibles offered to public schools raise row

By: Petti Fong
April 4, 2006
Page A1

B.C. mother asks trustees to reconsider distribution among pupils in 'neutral zone'

VANCOUVER -- Renate Gepraegs thought she had stepped back in time when she opened her son's public-school newsletter and read a notice from the Gideon Society about free Bibles.

"I thought schools were neutral zones," said the 36-year-old graduate student and mother of a Grade 1 pupil. "I thought schools were secular, and organized religions didn't have a place in public schools."

Ms. Gepraegs, who said she does not belong to any specific religion, appeared before Richmond school trustees last month to ask them to reconsider their policy of Bible distribution. Other parents and representatives of other religions are also challenging the practice.

For 60 years, the Gideons, a lay association of Christians, have given Bibles to Grade 5 pupils across Canada through public schools.

School superintendent Bruce Beairsto said the board began to rethink the issue of distributing Bibles to every Grade 5 student in the district in the 1960s, when Richmond began to become a more diverse and multicultural community. Now, nearly 60 per cent of Richmond residents are of Chinese or South Asian descent.

The Richmond board's policy is to place a notice in school newsletters, and Grade 5 pupils may take a form home for their parents to sign if they want a Gideon Bible. The children return the form to the school, which relays the request to the Gideons, who bring the Bibles to the schools.

The Gideons no longer automatically bring Bibles to schools across the country every year, but wait for requests. Every year, each of the 38 elementary schools in Richmond receives one or two requests for Bibles, Mr. Beairsto said.

"We don't proselytize, of course. This is a vexing issue that we've wrestled with as to what multiculturalism means," Mr. Beairsto said. "If someone wanted to distribute the Koran the same way, we would be quite happy to do it in an equitable way."

Mr. Beairsto said some school trustees raised concerns at the meeting Ms. Gepraegs attended about what would happen if a less mainstream religion, such as the Wiccans, also requested that their materials be distributed.

"If one of those odd things come up, we will talk to our parent groups and try to share a collective wisdom," he said yesterday.

Richmond parent Abdullah Ali, who has a daughter in Grade 9, attended the school board meeting with Ms. Gepraegs in March. It's not appropriate, said Mr. Ali, who is Muslim, for anyone in the school to hand out religious books.

"The better process would be if these books can be placed in the library and any child who wants a copy can get one," Mr. Ali said. "I'm not knocking the policy, but I am saying it has to be inclusive and provide an equal playing field for everyone."

Because the board is not backing off its policy, Mr. Ali said he's securing a supply of Korans for distribution to students who request them.

Neither the Surrey nor the Vancouver school boards distribute Gideon Bibles to students.

The issue has divided school boards across the country. The Ottawa-Carleton school board stopped distributing Bibles in 2001, but last year the Gideons organization asked it to reconsider.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued a Missouri school district last month for allowing Gideons to distribute Bibles. The school board there had voted 4-3 in favour of allowing the practice to continue after parents raised concerns.

The Gideons distribute more than 60 million Bibles worldwide each year to hospitals, hotels, prisons and schools.

Executive director Paul Mercer of Gideons International in Canada said that throughout Canada, 250,000 to 300,000 Bibles a year are requested by students. Years ago, schools and the Gideons decided Grade 5 was the appropriate age to receive the Bible, he said.

"It's been done since the mid-1940s, and the offer is made. Some can say no and some can say, 'we want one,' " Mr. Mercer said. "We just simply believe that everybody should have the opportunity of owning a Bible."

Canadian Jewish Congress Pacific region chairman Mark Weintraub said school boards have a legal obligation to not distribute the Bibles.

"We are certainly not against any religious denomination disseminating sacred texts," Mr. Weintraub said. "But in a society that supports a public school system and has people of many faiths and children from families that do not believe in any particular faith, it's vital the school system not be the vehicle for any particular denomination."

B.C. Civil Liberties president Jason Gratl said he was surprised to learn that Bibles are still being distributed.

"It carries no threat of undermining the secularism of our school system, but it's a practice that ought to be quietly ended," he said yesterday.

Rev. Gary Simpson of the Broadway Church in Chilliwack, which has Gideons among its members, said when he was in Grade 5 in the late 1960s, Bibles were automatically distributed, requested or not.

"Obviously, the Gideons are interested in conversion, otherwise they wouldn't be doing this. They hope the Bible can help kids in need and they believe God can change someone's life," Mr. Simpson said.

"But I'm not sure it's right to do it in a public school system. I would be willing to shut the whole supply off, if it means our kids are going to be bombarded with 50 options. My Bible doesn't need to be out there if that's the case."

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=itn&Story=1733

BC Business: What historical event would you like to attend?

DREAM BIG SECTION
What historical event would you like to attend?


MARK WEINTRAUB, chair of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region and estate litigation lawyer with Clark Wilson LLP
"I'd like to witness the proceedings of the UN from 1947 to 1948. During that year the general assembly passed two important resolutions - one calling for the establishment of the modern state of Israel, and one that passed the universal declaration of human rights. Both resolutions draw from the wellsprings of the most necessary of all human attributes - eternal hope for a better world. I could think of few more awe-inspiring historical events than those two."

CBC News: Auschwitz Escapee Rudolf Vrba Dies

March 31, 2006
CBC News

Rudolf Vrba, an Auschwitz death camp escapee who is credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives, has died in Vancouver. He was 82.

Vrba, a Czech Jew, was imprisoned in Auschwitz at age 19. He was put to work removing the dead from trains arriving at the camp.

In 1944, when he learned that a million Hungarian Jews were about to be sent to Auschwitz, he decided to warn the world.

Vrba and fellow prisoner Alfred Wetzler hid inside a construction wood pile for three days.

After escaping, Vrba and Wetzler gave the first detailed accounts of the death camp and its operations.

Initially, their testimony was ignored and political leaders allowed half a million Hungarian Jews to be deported.

"Sadly they were very, very slow to act, " said Bernie Farber of the Canadian Jewish Congress. "But it's calculated as a result of Rudolf Vrba's escaping Auschwitz and getting this information to the allies that possibly upward of 200,000 Jews were saved."

In 1985, Vrba's testimony was also key in convicting Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel.

"He was a man who took no guff," Farber said. "I guess that's the best way that I could put it."

Vrba became a professor of pharmacology at the University of British Columbia. He went on to write books and lecture about his experiences.

"I think he would just want to be remembered as he said, in a sense, a man of the people who made an effort to make the world a better place," said his friend, Dr. Rob Krell. "He never sought vengance, he sought justice."

Vrba is survived by his wife, daughter and two grandchildren.

CJC Notice: Philosophers Café

Philosophers Cafe

Saturday, March 11, 2006

7:30 to 9:00pm L'Chaim Lounge

Vancouver Jewish Community Centre

950 West 41st Avenue

Is There a Jewish Obligation to Prevent Genocide?

The Talmud reminds us that "whoever saves even one life, it is as if he or she has saved an entire world." What are the limits, however, if any, to our involvement? Do we really have to help others when we, ourselves, are among the smallest nations, a persecuted people?

Moderator: Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan Kaplan

Guest: Mark Weintraub is currently Chair of Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region. For almost 20 years he has represented the Jewish community in response to anti-Semitism and racism and has coordinated community action in relation to human rights violations in Bosnia, Darfur, and Indonesia. He has written and lectured on such issues as combating hate crime, Jewish support for aboriginal justice and redress for Japanese War crimes.

Cost per session: Advance: $5 plus GST. At the door: $8.

Advanced registration is recommended. To register, visit JCCGV reception or register online at https://secure.inetwave.com/jccgvbc/forms/progReg.php.

The Philosophers' Cafés are being presented by the JCCGV and Simon Fraser University's Interdisciplinary Programs in Continuing Studies, with generous support from Yosef Wosk and the B'nai B'rith Foundation of British Columbia.

Mira Oreck

Acting Regional Director

Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region Suite 201-950 West 41st Avenue

Vancouver, BC V5Z 2N7

Tel: 604-257-5101

Fax: 604-257-5131

E-mail: mirao@cjc.ca

CJC News Release: Jewish and Aboriginal communities strengthen ties through CJCPR

Feb 27, 2006 - Jewish and Aboriginal communities strengthen ties through CJCPRInteractive Teleconference Addresses Shared Concerns

Vancouver - Jewish and First Nations leaders discussed residential schools, historical and contemporary discrimination and future opportunities for joint dialogue in a recent teleconference convened by B.C. non-governmental organization Worldviews Strategies.

The teleconference, chaired by Canadian Jewish Congress Pacific Region Chair Mark Weintraub and Chief Robert Joseph, chief of the Gwa wa enuk First Nation and a survivor of the Indian residential schools system, included Aboriginal and Jewish community leadership as well as representatives of NGOs and government.

Each province and territory was represented and many social justice advocates from across Canada, the United States and Europe took part in the call to hear from Aboriginal and Jewish community leaders.

“When we speak of social justice concerns we must first speak of justice for Aboriginal people,” said Weintraub. “Our collective anti-racism work must place at the heart of our concerns the ongoing consequences of an historical massive assault against the spiritual and cultural structures of indigenous people. Our communities have a deep friendship that stems from common historical narratives, determination and hope in the face of pervasive and institutionalized racism and a connection to land that permeates our ancestral culture.”

Chief Joseph noted that the communities are natural allies. “Our pasts have defined our contemporary communities and we can build together not only to heal our spirits, but to help heal the world,” he said. “Each time we reach out to each other the darkness fades a little more.”

The PodCast of the teleconference will be available on the Canadian Jewish Congress website in the coming days. An interactive e-forum and follow up materials are available on the Worldview Strategies website www.worldviewstrategies.com under the “Teleconferences” banner.

CJC acts on matters affecting the status, rights and welfare of the Canadian Jewish community.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Jeff Bradshaw
Education Director
Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region
604-257-5101
jeffb@cjc.ca
www.cjc.ca

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=news&story=783

CJC News Release: CJCPR kicks off multiculturalism week at community gathering

Feb. 16, 2006 - CJCPR kicks off multiculturalism week at community gathering

Vancouver - B.C. Attorney General Hon. Wally Oppal discussed some of the advantages British Columbia derives from its unique approach to multicultural inclusion at the kick-off to 2006 Multiculturalism Week hosted by Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region earlier this week.

CJCPR Vice Chair Richard Kurland chaired the event, held at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. Minister Oppal spoke extensively about the work of Canadian Jewish Congress in fighting racism and working towards building a society in which multiculturalism thrives. He discussed the historical role the Jewish community has played as advocates for human rights and inter-group relations.

As an honour to the Jewish community and a kick-off to multiculturalism week, Minister Oppal presented a framed copy of the Multiculturalism Week proclamation to CJCPR Chair Mark Weintraub.

“Multiculturalism Week is an opportunity for all British Columbians to celebrate our unique commitment to cultural diversity,” said Weintraub. “It is also a time for multicultural organizations to reflect upon the successes of the Canadian experience and to recognize the important role the Jewish community must play,” he added.

Representatives from cultural and faith organizations from across Vancouver, including SUCCESS, the Multifaith Action Society, AMSSA, the Committee for Racial Justice, the Ismali Council and various other ethnic community leaders, took part in the event, which also included 10 high-school students from Vancouver public schools.

CJC acts on matters affecting the status, rights and welfare of the Canadian Jewish community.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Mira Oreck
Acting Regional Director
Canadian Jewish Congess, Pacific Region
604-257-5101
mirao@cjc.ca
www.cjc.ca

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=news&story=779

Globe and Mail: Jewish groups rally for Darfur

February 5, 2006

Jewish groups rally for Darfur

RICHARD BLACKWELL AND JANE TABER

TORONTO and OTTAWA -- For Mark Weintraub, it's no surprise that Jewish groups have been in the forefront of efforts to get international action to stop the killing in the Sudanese province of Darfur.

While Jews have always been disproportionately involved in social movements because of their concerns for justice, that's not the whole story, said Mr. Weintraub, chair of the National Darfur Committee at the Canadian Jewish Congress.

"There's no question that in this particular case -- after the shame of Rwanda -- that the possibility the world would sit silent for another possible genocide sent shock waves through some of us in the community," he said.

That was felt particularly strongly among Holocaust survivors, who "knew full well that the silence of the world condemned their relatives and friends to death."

The lobbying efforts of the Canadian Jewish Congress, along with the work of a number of politicians, culminated in last night's "take note" debate on Darfur.

Their efforts can be seen around the Hill, where MPs and senators are wearing green ribbons -- a symbol of the tragedy in Darfur.

The CJC initially ordered 1,500 ribbons, targeting MPs and senators and members of the British Columbia and Ontario Legislatures. It came up with the idea over Passover and had all of three days to make it happen -- designing and ordering the ribbons and calling officials from the four parties, asking them to give them out to their caucus members.

Yesterday, CJC chief executive officer Bernie Farber said he has placed an order for another 4,000.

"We're just being inundated with calls from people who want to wear green ribbons," Mr. Farber said.

"Canada in many respects is leading the way and the Canadian public has taken it to heart."

The CJC has been concerned about Sudan for years, Mr. Weintraub said. The focus on Darfur emanated from the Vancouver arm of the organization, after the community of Darfur nationals there approached the CJC a couple of years ago and asked that it use its advocacy skills on their behalf.

Around the same time a B.C. senator, Mobina Jaffer, was named as the Liberal government's special envoy to Darfur.
The CJC met with B.C. ministers in the federal government, and persuaded them to take the issue to the cabinet table in Ottawa.

While there appeared to be some progress last year as the carnage subsided, it soon became apparent that those advances were temporary. That prompted the CJC to beef up its efforts, encouraging rabbis to discuss Darfur during Passover, and boosting its lobbying in Ottawa.

Meanwhile, Jewish organizations in the United States set April 30 as the date for a major Darfur rally in Washington, providing a focal point for lobby groups, politicians, individuals, and now -- movie actors -- to get their message to others.

Having actor George Clooney and other Hollywood celebrities discover Darfur has been a huge benefit, Mr. Weintraub said.

"The people of Darfur have suffered from a lack of media attention and celebrities can create that media interest," he said. "We have been trying to penetrate the front pages of newspapers for a long time. Sometimes we were successful, [but] for the most part we were not.

"We wish there were a hundred other George Clooneys," he added.

At the same, a number of politicians have been championing the cause.

When the House of Commons returned after the election, the new government asked opposition parties for their debate priorities. Former finance minister Ralph Goodale, in his new role as Opposition House Leader, suggested a debate on Darfur.

"We were anxious to have a discussion about Darfur," he said. "... we were asked if we had suggestions for special subjects to be considered in special debates and we indicated that Darfur would be one of our priorities."

The debate was originally planned for last Tuesday -- Holocaust Remembrance Day -- but scheduling realities shifted it to last night.

At the same time, Liberal MP Keith Martin has put together a motion calling for Canada to present a resolution to the United Nations Security Council, calling for the UN to assemble and deploy a "peace-making force with a Chapter 7 mandate as soon as possible." (The Chapter 7 mandate allows soldiers to use force to protect civilians.)

Dr. Martin was able to submit his motion with the help of Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott and NDP MP Alexa McDonough. He said the Bloc Québécois was concerned with his motion because it used the word "genocide."

The government has put together its own motion calling for action on the Darfur situation. Dr. Martin, who has seen the government's motion, says it is a "hybrid" of the motion he has on the House of Commons order paper. It does not talk about genocide, but refers to "crimes against humanity," he said.

The government will not introduce its motion until the situation with the peace process becomes clearer over the next 48 hours, Dr. Martin said.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060502.DARFURGROUPS02/TPStory/National

Jewish Tribune: 'Jewish-owned' media blamed for candidate's defeat in BC

February 2, 2006 - Shvat 4, 5766

‘Jewish-owned’ media blamed for candidate’s defeat in BC

By Jewish Tribune Staff

RICHMOND, BC – In a scathing, antisemitic diatribe, a campaign manager for a BC Conservative candidate in last week’s federal election blamed a Jewish-owned, liberal-biased media for some of the challenges of the campaign.

Ignoring the fact that Canwest Global’s newspapers in the Vancouver area endorsed Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party in the election, Robbie Robertson, campaign manager for Conservative candidate Darrel Reid, told the Richmond News, “The CanWest Global media empire is controlled by a Jewish family (the Aspers) and they have been the most aggressive family to attack Christians, especially Conservative Christians,” in answer to charges that his candidate had shunned the media.

Robertson added, “Darrel has answered his questions and he still gets called because it doesn’t suit the agenda of the CanWest management team that are getting some kind of direction.

“(This is) a family that fought against persecution and here they are putting their scribes on Christian candidates. That’s something they fought against. Then it’s okay for them to do it.”

David Asper, CanWest’s executive vice president and chairman of the board at the National Post, personally came out in favour of Conservative candidate Peter Kent in Toronto’s St. Paul’s riding.

Dismissing Robertson’s remarks as unfortunate, Reid told the Richmond News that Robertson has been on medical leave and doesn’t speak for him or the campaign.

He told his supporters, “We have fought a good fight. Congratulations to Mr. (Raymond) Chan” on his reelection.

Both B’nai Brith Canada and the Canadian Jewish Congress Pacific Region strongly condemned Robertson’s vitriolic statements.

“The hurtful remarks of Mr. Robertson targeting the Jewish community are all too reminiscent of age-old antisemitic conspiracy theories of Jews plotting to take over the world,” said Frank Dimant, executive vice president of B’nai Brith Canada commenting on the published news report of Robertson’s remarks. “Such reprehensible comments stand in direct contradiction to cherished Canadian values such as tolerance and respect – the very same values that candidates of all parties and from all walks of life proudly exemplified during the election process.

“Mr. Reid and the Conservative Party that he represents have always stood for a strong Canada, inclusive of all minorities, and we are, therefore, gratified by his quick repudiation of the remarks of his campaign manager.

“Robertson’s remarks are even more perplexing given the distinguished reputation enjoyed by CanWest Global as a reliable news source and the fact that its owners are well known for having supported diverse political streams and parties.”

Mark Weintraub, chair of the CJCPR, said, “Robertson’s statements feed off ugly, antisemitic conspiracy theories and show an appalling ignorance of the very positive state of Christian-Jewish relations in Canada today.”

He added that his organization “is gratified that Mr. Reid, (many) of his supporters and Conservative Party leadership have forcefully repudiated and condemned Robertson’s remarks.”

http://www.jewishtribune.ca/tribune/jt-060202-02.html

Richmond News: Local Tories doing damage control

Local Tories doing damage control

By Eve Edmonds

The Conservative party's Richmond riding association is in full-blown damage control following comments a former campaign staffer made about Jewish-owned media.

It even tried to revoke Robbie Robertson's membership - before learning he didn't have one.

"I can confirm he's not a member. I don't know if he ever was," said riding association president Gary Cross.

Robertson, Conservative candidate Darrel Reid's former campaign manager, caused a stir earlier this week when he referred to a liberal bias in the Jewish-owned CanWest media empire.

"The CanWest Global media empire is controlled by a Jewish family and they have been the most aggressive family to attack Christians, especially Conservative Christians," Robertson told the News on the day of the federal election.

Robertson said he thought Christian Conservative candidates were unfairly targeted by CanWest MediaWorks.

Reid immediately distanced himself from the comments saying Robertson doesn't speak on his behalf.

Since then, Holden Bowker, Reid's current spokesman has contacted media outlets to inform them that Robertson is no longer affiliated with the campaign and hasn't been for a number of weeks.

Robertson has been on medical leave, he explained. That information was kept from the media, said Bowker, to protect Robertson's privacy and to stave off any notion that the campaign was in disarray.

Nonetheless, Robertson hasn't retracted the statements, but admits they should have been "prefaced" with the fact "we were creating an organization and asking the questions as to the slant of CanWest Global. Without that preface I thought it looked like a conspiracy theory coming from me. I didn't intend that."

Robertson said he noted that CanWest is owned by the Asper family, who are of Jewish heritage, because "this is a community that suffered the worst persecution. You'd think they would be the last people to persecute people publicly."

Nevertheless, evangelical Christian Conservative candidates were systematically singled out and "isolated" by CanWest reporters, he said.

"We have to ask, why? Who gave that direction?"

Mark Weintraub, chairman of the Canadian Jewish Congress Pacific Region, said Robertson's comments are "highly offensive."

"They really traffic some of the discredited and conspiratorial theories about Jewish power that have no place in Canadian society," he said, adding that he doesn't believe the comments reflect the ideas of mainstream Canadian society or the Conservative party.

Nor does he believe the comments reflect Reid's view.

"We met with Mr. Reid to articulate our concerns about hate crime and how to combat hate crime. Everything we heard from Mr. Reid was very supportive."

In fact, Gerry St. Germain, a Conservative senator and perhaps the most senior Tory in B.C., went so far as to phone the CJC to stress that these views do not reflect the views of the Conservative party.

While Weintraub dismissed Robertson's comments as an "aberration" and "absurd," he suggests they have to be addressed, which is why the CJC issued a press release denouncing them.

Howard Jampolsky, who ran against Reid for the nomination, is a director on the Richmond Conservative riding association board. He is also Jewish, and said the comments are a shock.

When Jampolsky lost the nomination, he warned of the problems that could ensue if the Conservatives focus on a socially conservative agenda, however, he says, "I couldn't have foreseen comments like this coming out."

He added that Robertson's views are not shared by the party. To that end, he said he is proud of how swiftly the Conservative party has reacted to the comments.

published on 01/28/2006

http://www.richmond-news.com/issues06/014206/news/014206nn1.html

University of the Streets Cafe: Reconciliation - Weaving Webs of Community

Reconciliation - Weaving Webs of Community: Conversations About Indigenous and non-Indigenous Relations

Moderator: Jessie Sutherland

.

Jan 26 Jewish - First Nations Joint Initiatives

January 26th 2006, 10am PST / 1pm EST

Three years ago, the media focussed on First Nations leader, David Ahenakew's anti-semetic remarks; however, there is another story of collaboration and connection between First Nations and Jewish communities. For example, did you know that Holocaust survivors and Indian residential school survivors have an initiative to learn from each other and teach the world? Or that the Canadian Jewish Congress is hosting an on-going Jewish - First Nations dialogue? Have you heard about a recent Native American peace mission to Israel and Palestine and how these trips are impacting Jewish - First Nations relations in Canada?

During this teleconference participants learned about Jewish - First Nations dialogues about land, genocide, cultural survival, and human rights with Special Guests Mark Weintraub from the Canadian Jewish Congress and Chief Robert Joseph from the Indian Residential School Survivors Society of BC.


Guests: Mark Weintraub and Chief Robert Joseph
Mr. Weintraub is a commercial and estates trial lawyer. He was called to the British Columbia Bar in 1983. He is currently a partner with the Vancouver law firm of Clark, Wilson, a member of the firm's Business Litigation Practice Group and the firm's senior trial lawyer for disputed estates and elder law. For over 15 years, Mark has played a leadership role in the national advocacy organization of Canadian Jewish Congress. Mark has served as National Vice-President and was National Chairman of Community Relations Committee. He has also participated in and led various projects involving CJC and other community organizations related to various public policy issues. During the course of his legal work and community volunteer work, Mark gained experience with the media in several different capacities. He has acted as a Jewish community spokesperson to the media on issues related to antisemitism and Israel. See http://www.cjc.ca/ for more.

Chief Robert Joseph, Kwun Kwun Wha Lee Gei Gee 'Big Thunderbird', is a Hereditary Chief of the Gwa wa enuk First Nation. He is also an Indian Residential School Survivor who spent 10 years at St. Michael's Indian Residential School at Alert Bay on the central coast of British Colombia. He spoke only Kwa Kwala as a six year old boy entering this Residential School. He was beaten many times for speaking his own language and endured other hardship and abuse. He recognizes the destructive impact that this experience had on his life, family and community. This same experience has given him the inspiration to assist aboriginals in seeking hope, healing and reconciliation in his position as Executive Director for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.


Joseph has spent most of his working life as an advocate for aboriginal people. He has worked for provincial organizations in BC including the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Native Brotherhood of BC, and the First Nations Summit. He has also worked for Tribal Councils like the Nuu-Chah-nulth, Kwakiulth District Council, and Musgamagw Tribal Council. In addition, he has worked for large and small Bands as Band Manager.

Joseph has a broad experience in dealing with public and government institutions.


Joseph also has some experience in media having been the first native reporter for the Vancouver Sun. He also worked on small weekly publications. In addition, he was involved with the aboriginal media including the Native Voice, Indian Voice and Neseika as well as with the Radio Audio Visual Education Network. Joseph has served on numerous charitable organization Boards both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal. He has served on Credit Union and Hospital Boards. Joseph also strives to be active on a volunteer basis. He has led fund-raising drives both for United Way and Heart Drive in the past.

Recently Joseph has been awarded with an Honourary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of British Columbia for his distinguished achievements in serving BC and Canada through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and for preserving the traditions and cultures of the First Nations of BC. He has always sought to bridge the differences brought about by intolerance, lack of understanding, and racism. Recently, as chair of Native American Leadership Alliance for Peace and Reconciliation, Joseph was part of a peace delegation to Israeal and Palestine. Joseph understands that faith, hope and healing for Aboriginals well ultimately require the bringing about of good will between many parties. See http://www.irsss.ca/ for more.


Impressions of Participants

A selection of comments we received via email during or shortly after the teleconference.

• "Here I am to say that was a very impressive way of getting people to talk about sensitive issues with hope and transparency."
• "The presentation about land touched my heart deeply."
• "The work you are doing is so important and so necessary."
• "Wow Jessie! This is awesome!!!" (email sent by a participant during the teleconference)
• "I thought the teleconference a remarkable initiative."
• "I felt there was so much respect and understanding in this teleconference."
• "I admire the work the two speakers had done in terms of understanding each others history and collective pain."

To download or listen to the podcast teleconference, go to: http://www.worldviewstrategies.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=41#pod

CJC News Release: CJCPR Strongly condemns anti-semitic statements.

January 26, 2006 - CJCPR strongly condems anti-semitic statements

Vancouver - Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region strongly condemned the antisemitic statements made by Robbie Robertson to the Richmond News on January 24, 2006. Mr. Robertson is the former campaign manager to Darrel Reid, the Conservative candidate in Richmond.

Mr. Robertson attributed Mr. Reid's election loss to a Jewish-controlled, anti-Christian CanWest media.

"CanWest, which has shown an understanding of and a sensitivity to Christian points of view can well defend itself against such scurrilous charges," stated CJCPR Chair Mark Weintraub. "I am particularly dismayed that someone participating in the democratic process would purvey libelous lies that are so hurtful to the Jewish community and undermine Canada's values of inter-group understanding and respect."

Mr Weintraub added that "Robertson's statements feed off ugly, antisemitic conspiracy theories and show an appalling ignorance of the very positive state of Christian-Jewish relations in Canada today."

Mr Weintraub noted that "CJCPR is gratified that Mr. Reid, numerous of his supporters and Conservative Party leadership have forcefully repudiated and condemned Robertson's remarks."

Mr. Weintraub concluded that "Canadians must be mindful that the type of singleminded, pathological obsession with Jews shown by Robertson has long historical precedent and only continual education and advocacy will keep it suppressed."

CJC acts on matters affecting the status, rights and welfare of the Canadian Jewish community.

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For more information, please contact:

Mira Oreck
Acting Regional Director
Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region
604-257-5101
mirao@cjc.ca
www.cjc.ca

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=news&story=768

Vancouver Courier: Muslim, Jew work together to mobilize help for Darfur

By Cheryl Rossi-Staff writer

Port Coquitlam's Nouri Abdalla was a veterinarian, an animal pharmaceutical company worker and an exporter of pharmaceuticals and information technology to Africa before he found himself involved in peace talks in Darfur.

But the Darfuri national felt compelled to get involved when he heard in 2003 that villagers in Western Sudan were being raped and killed by the Arab-dominated Sudanese government's proxy Janjaweed militia.

He started a B.C. chapter of the Toronto-based Darfur Association of Canada in 2004 and sought organizations to help him bring awareness to the atrocities occurring in the homeland he'd left in 1990.

The Muslim man found a strong ally in the chair of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region, Mark Weintraub, who he met while speaking about Darfur at SFU.

"We who brought to the world the mantra of 'never again,' we who know what it's like to be targeted and know how important it is to have a world community who cares, were motivated and mobilized once we started hearing about a possible genocide in Sudan to do all we could to activate public opinion, and to get the Canadian government to take a lead role in the international community to ensure that a genocide would not occur," Weintraub, a Vancouver lawyer, said.

Abdalla is now a full-time human rights activist, who represented the people of Darfur during the seventh inter-Sudanese peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria, from November 2005 to May 2006. He's also a freelance consultant for the U.N. in West Africa. He flew to Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 13 to try to address the inequitable distribution of power and wealth in Darfur.

Canada became the second largest donor to a humanitarian crisis for the first time in its history when it committed half a billion dollars to Sudan in 2005, Abdalla said.

The government's commitment resulted from hard work by people from the Lower Mainland and B.C. Abdalla and Weintraub joined organizations across the country to bring awareness to the genocide and pressure the Canadian government to take action. They encouraged B.C. Senator Mobina Jaffer, already the special envoy to Sudan, to tighten her focus on Darfur, and she obliged.

An estimated 300,000 to 400,000 in Darfur have been killed and 2.5 to 3 million refugees are living in camps. After the African Union produced a peace agreement that was rejected by most last May, the situation went from horrific to worse.

"We've been trying to get the international community to bring in a robust United Nations peacekeeping force to bring security and tranquility to the region and tackle or reverse the humanitarian crisis," Abdalla said. "Canada has not been doing as much as it's supposed to do recently within the past few months, and maybe that's due to the change of government. The new government needs to be put up to speed in terms of what needs to be done."

Senator Mobina Jaffer is no longer the special envoy to Sudan, and humanitarian groups want another to be appointed.

"We are told that there are Canadian flags in Darfur on helicopters and on other transport vehicles and that the people of Darfur see Canada as playing a lead role of conscience, and given the energies and efforts we have expended to date, we would like to see the job finished," Weintraub said. "That can only come through continued pressure on our leadership, letters and telephone calls and within church groups and human rights groups and synagogues and mosques and schools, that this issue continue to have a profile, because, in fact, the profile seems to be bearing some fruit, albeit several years too late for those who have died."

http://www.vancourier.com/issues07/013107/news/013107nn5.html

Canadian Jewish Congress article

Native Injustice “Template” for Canadian Discrimination: CJCPR Chair In a recent major address to a symposium on hate-motivated crimes, CJC Pacific Region Chair Mark Weintraub urged Canadians to address the festering injustice perpetrated against First Nations in order to facilitate justice for all.

“We need to reverse the tendency to add racism against Aboriginal peoples to the end of the list of concerns and congratulate ourselves for even thinking about these issues,” Weintraub told a packed audience of police, Crown counsel, politicians and others at the forum, which was sponsored by the Justice Institute of B.C. “Rather, we could benefit by considering how relations with Aboriginal peoples perhaps provided a template for how subsequent minority populations have been treated.”

Weintraub spoke of the history of discrimination against Aboriginal Canadians and praised the communities’ patience.

“In light of all this,” Weintraub said, “we should think ourselves fortunate that there still remains a wellspring of generosity within Aboriginal communities to meet any sincere attempt at reconciliation.”

Canadian Jewish Congress article

Antisemitic materials show up at Toronto universities, BC’s Fraser Valley Antisemitic flyers landed on three of Canada’s largest university campuses in the Greater Toronto area last month, while extremist flyers were passed around in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley area.

In both cases, the materials are believed to have originated with white supremacist groups in the U.S.

CJC Ontario Region was notified by staff at Hillel of Greater Toronto when the pamphlets, entitled Jewish Supremacism Unmasked, were discovered on the campuses of Ryerson University, University of Toronto and York University. Their content was “graphic, hateful and comprises deeply painful themes of classic antisemitism coupled with radical anti-Israel vitriol,” said Hillel Executive Director Zac Kaye.

CJCONT was in touch with University administrators and security at all three campuses, as well as with Toronto and York Regional Police Services. “We were most concerned with limiting the spread of the pamphlets and minimizing their impact on all students on campus,” noted CJCONT Regional Director and General Counsel Steven Shulman.

In British Columbia, CJC Pacific Region expressed its condemnation for extremist literature that was distributed in the Fraser Valley. CJC, PR remains in contact with local police about this incident. Police have not yet identified those responsible for distributing the material, whose content targets immigrants and immigration and which appear to originate from a Virginia-based white supremacist group.

"The danger in materials like these lies in the fact that this type of clearly mean-spirited attack exploits ignorance and pre-existing prejudice,” said CJC, PR Chair Mark Weintraub, who noted that B.C.’s Hate Crime Team will investigate to determine whether Criminal Code charges for promotion of hatred should be laid.

“We cannot permit those with ignorant minds and hard hearts to harm our fellow Canadians,” he added.

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=ioi&item=82

Jewish Independent Editorial

December 2, 2005
Editorial

With a federal election now underway and a Grey Cup under our belts, last week’s first ministers’ meeting on Aboriginal affairs may seem a long time ago already. But the Kelowna conference – and the announcement of compensation for victims of residential schools that came just before the meeting opened – will go down in history as a turning point in this country’s relations with our First Peoples.

The announcement of plans to compensate victims of residential schools and to commemorate their experiences reflects a first step in addressing the problems. Many of the social ills affecting Aboriginal Canadians were bred in the residential schools system. The values that the schools inculcated were intentionally antithetical to those of native Canadians’ traditions. The schools had, among other explicit purposes, the goal of eliminating aboriginal culture and assimilating the students into the dominant European-Canadian culture.

This failed for a range of reasons. The imperialist objective of assimilation was not sustained by any inculcation of alternative values. Having their traditions beaten out of them on a daily basis in the estranged and isolating environment of church-run residential schools, the curriculum that young First Nations people learned from our dominant culture were lessons of violence, coercion, verbal and physical abuse, sexual exploitation and torture.

Like victims of any social catastrophe, the survivors are forever affected by their experiences. The social crises in many First Nations communities – poverty, educational outcomes, addiction, abuse and unemployment among them – can be traced back in varying degrees to the experiences of past abuse of Aboriginal Canadians at the hands of religious, educational and governmental authority figures.

The announcement of an agreement-in-principle for compensation and commemoration of the residential schools experience last week was a prerequisite to the first ministers’ summit that followed. Until we recognize the significance of the residential school system on the trajectory of First Nations’ well being since European contact, we will not be able to sufficiently or fairly address the contemporary challenges. Canada, it seems, has finally recognized this fact.

As this historic process has unfolded, the Canadian Jewish community’s leaders have been vocal in support of the First Nations cause. National and local leaders of Canadian Jewish Congress have gone on record marking this issue as a priority.

“We are pleased that Canada has finally understood its responsibility for a shameful part of our country’s history, and is seeking to rectify its actions,” Canadian Jewish Congress national president Ed Morgan said in a news release on the residential schools agreement.

“Canada has made a crucial and substantive step toward recognizing our national culpability for this grievous historic wrong,” added CJC Pacific Region chair Mark Weintraub.

But why, of all issues, has the treatment of aboriginal Canadians become a core Jewish issue?

The reasons are numerous and can be interpreted in ways both simple and complex.

In a purely self-interested sense, it is in the interest of Jewish Canadians to nurture an environment where historic wrongs are recognized and ameliorated. Sensitivity to the historic wrongs of one people will presumably engender sensitivity to the historical experiences of all.

There are also a variety of complex theological and cultural parallels, which are best left to experts in their respective fields to elucidate. But, in its simplest sense, First Nations welfare is a concern to the Jewish community because at the core of the Jewish tradition is the interdiction to seek justice. As peoples who have both seen their cultures, histories and identities subjected to attempted eradication, Jews and aboriginal Canadians share a unique and dark perspective on human capability.

Canadian Jews support the struggle of First Nations for a variety of reasons, but primarily because it is the just thing to do. This, we believe, is all the reason we need.

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=itn&Story=1602

CJC News Release: CJC welcomes government recognition of residential school abuse victims

November 24, 2005
For immediate release

CJC welcomes government recognition of residential school abuse victims

OTTAWA - Canadian Jewish Congress welcomed the Canadian government’s announcement of plans to compensate Aboriginal Canadians who were abused while attending government-run residential schools, which includes funds for a truth-and-reconciliation commission.

"We are pleased that Canada has finally understood its responsibility for a shameful part of our country’s history, and is seeking to rectify its actions," said Canadian Jewish Congress National President Ed Morgan.

"Canada has made a crucial and substantive step toward recognizing our national culpability for this grievous historic wrong," added CJC Pacific Region Chair Mark Weintraub.

"As this process moves forward, survivors' and Aboriginal voices must be heard in the development and implementation of the programs being created on their behalf. The Jewish community will certainly lend its unqualified support to authentic reconciliation," he noted.

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For more information, contact:

Wendy Lampert
National Director of Communications

Canadian Jewish Congress

416-631-5844 (office)
416-845-4674 (cell)

wlampert@on.cjc.ca

www.cjc.ca

Voiceonline.com: Is the RCMP doing enough to stop hate propaganda by scumbags?

IN FOCUS WITH RATTAN

#3. Is the RCMP doing enough to stop hate propaganda by scumbags?

What on earth are the Mounties doing about incidents of hate crime against Indo-Canadians and other minorities? The latest racist incident against Indo-Canadians, Jews and gays took place in Langley and the RCMP kept it a secret until someone who also received the hate material in their mailbox contacted the media last weekend. Why didn't the Langley RCMP inform the media so that other victims could come forward. WHY? Decent white Langley residents expressed their disgust at the flyers that denounce mixed race marriages, homosexuality and minorities. Langley RCMP told the local media that there had been some complaints about the hate flyers and claimed that this material had first been distributed throughout that city and was now being distributed in the township. Meanwhile, the Canadian Jewish Congress strongly condemned extremist literature that has been distributed in the Fraser Valley. It said it had spoken about the flyers with police, who say their content targets immigrants and immigration. They also say the flyers appear to originate from a Virginia-based white supremacist group. Police have not yet identified those responsible for distributing the material locally. "All non-Aboriginal Canadians are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, which makes this extreme anti-immigration material seem quite absurd," said MARK WEINTRAUB, Chair of Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region. "The danger lies in the fact that this type of clearly mean-spirited attack exploits ignorance and pre-existing prejudice," he added. Weintraub noted that it is also distressing that the materials appear also to highlight a hate-based Internet site. He said the provincial Hate Crime Team will investigate to conclude whether the flyers promote hate and will determine charges under the Criminal Code accordingly. "I am proud that here in Canada we have established a culture of respect for diversity. We cannot permit those with ignorant minds and hard hearts to harm our fellow Canadians. CJC, Pacific Region, is confident that the police will identify the perpetrators in this case, and that they will be dealt with appropriately under the law," he said. Well, let's wait and see what the RCMP do in this case.

http://www.voiceonline.com/voice/051112/JUSTMINUTE.php

Langley Advance: Racism: Hateful mail distributed in Langley

Racism: Hateful mail distributed in Langley

Flyers filled with anti-immigrant messages have been found in Langley and throughout the Fraser Valley.

by Erin McKay

Racist hand-outs have ended up in Langley mailboxes, and while their message is offensive, the RCMP's Hate Crimes Unit is not too worried about them.

"We'd love to know who is doing it," said Sgt. Mark Graf, "but we are not spending a great amount of time or effort on them. There are other things that are higher priorities."

Over the past week or two, Langley RCMP received a handful of complaints from residents who found the flyers in with their mail.

The hand-outs did not get delivered with local newspapers.

Cpl. Diane Blain, spokesperson for the Langley RCMP, said such issues are not handled at a detachment level, but instead the information is collected and forwarded to E Division's Hate Crimes Unit.

The flyers have turned up in other communities, including Surrey and Mission, and while Blain said such racist attacks are "really unusual" in Langley, Graf noted that similar hand-outs circulate two or three times a year in the Lower Mainland.

"Nobody wants them in their mailbox," Graf said, but added that the two-man Hate Crimes Unit is responsible for all of the province, and puts a higher priority on dealing with more personal offences.

He added that it is not known who is responsible for distributing the flyers locally, and advised those who find a flyer to contact their local police detachment.

The Canadian Jewish Congress has condemned the flyers, which target immigrants and appear to originate from a Virginia-based white supremacist group.

"All non-Aboriginal Canadians are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, which makes this extreme anti-immigration material seem quite absurd," said Mark Weintraub, Chair of Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region.

"The danger lies in the fact that this type of clearly mean-spirited attack exploits ignorance and pre-existing prejudice," he added.

"I am proud that here in Canada we have established a culture of respect for diversity," Weintraub said. "We cannot permit those with ignorant minds and hard hearts to harm our fellow Canadians."

published on 11/11/2005

http://www.langleyadvance.com/issues05/112205/news/112205nn6.html

CJC News Release: CJC Condemns extremist literature

November 8, 2005 - CJC Condemns extremist literature

Vancouver - Canadian Jewish Congress strongly condemned extremist literature that has been distributed in the Fraser Valley.

CJC has spoken about the flyers with police, who say their content targets immigrants and immigration. They also say the flyers appear to originate from a Virginia-based white supremacist group. Police have not yet identified those responsible for distributing the material locally.

"All non-Aboriginal Canadians are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, which makes this extreme anti-immigration material seem quite absurd," said Mark Weintraub, Chair of Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region. "The danger lies in the fact that this type of clearly mean-spirited attack exploits ignorance and pre-existing prejudice,” he added.

Weintraub noted that it is also distressing that the materials appear also to highlight a hate-based internet site. He said the provincial Hate Crime Team will investigate to conclude whether the flyers promote hate and will determine charges under the Criminal Code accordingly.

“I am proud that here in Canada we have established a culture of respect for diversity. We cannot permit those with ignorant minds and hard hearts to harm our fellow Canadians. CJC, Pacific Region, is confident that the police will identify the perpetrators in this case, and that they will be dealt with appropriately under the law,” he said.

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Contact:
Pat Johnson
Acting Co-Director
Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region
604-257-5101
patj@cjc.ca
www.cjc.ca

http://www.cjc.ca/template.php?action=news&story=756