Hillel of Greater Toronto

Joel Silver is something of an outdoorsman. He’s  backpacked in the Rocky Mountains, hiked in the Negev Desert, spent 28 days on a canoe trip and now, for the second year in a row, he’ll be celebrating Shabbat in Algonquin Provincial Park.

A group of 10 Hillel student activists, 5 each from Toronto and Israel, have recently embarked on on a philanthropic journey from Israel to Dharamsala, India for a one month Olamot (Hebrew for “worlds”) volunteer program.
 

Nineteen people came to donate blood at the Hillel/Canadian Friends of Rambam Health Care Campus blood drive last Wednesday.

Readying for their first year of post-secondary education now have a unique opportunity to explore their personal relationship with Israel and prepare for the challenges of campus life.

New initiative is part of a national collaboration between Canadian Council of Conservative Synagogues, Arza Canada -The Reform Zionist Movement, Hillel of Greater Toronto, Hillel Montreal, National Jewish Campus Life (NJCL) and the University Outreach Committee (UOC) of CIJA. Sessions will take place in both Toronto and Montreal.

By JESSICA GILBERT and MAIYA KEIDAN, Special to The CJN  (as appeared in the CJN on Thursday December, 24, 2009)    

Ryerson University Jewish students have come to know and love our Hillel Shabbat dinners.
Unfortunately, we face the regular burden of booking rooms. This painful experience acts as a near-constant reminder that there simply aren’t enough rooms on campus available to students.

Last year, Hillel enjoyed a meeting with Ryerson President Sheldon Levy, the goal of which was to discuss the current experience for Jewish students on campus. The administration was interested in creating a more welcoming environment for our students. 

As the meeting closed and we stood up to leave, Jessica Gilbert, Hillel’s tzedek and Ryerson program associate said, “Well, there is one more thing.”

She asked Levy if he would host a Shabbat dinner in his office.

Months later, we began planning the event.

Tony Conte, Ryerson’s vice-provost of students, remembered Levy being thrilled that people would want to eat dinner with him on Erev Shabbat.

Indeed, it was Levy who reminded us of our commitment, asking us at the beginning of this year when we would be going ahead with it, and he asked with as much enthusiasm in his voice as a kid going to Disneyland.

After several months of trying to find a suitable date, 30 members of the Ryerson community gathered together for Shabbat dinner last month.

Although the dinner wasn’t in the president’s office, Levy did take care of the room booking. 

Hillel students spent a long time developing the guest list, which included student leaders, members of faith-based student groups and administrative staff of the university. 

In addition to the Hillel student board members, student attendees included members of the Armenian Students’ Association, the Arab Students’ Association, the Muslim Students’ Association, Students in Free Enterprise and the Ryerson Commerce Society and Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services.

Joining Levy was Ryerson’s vice-president of university advancement, Adam Kahan; vice-provost of students, Heather Lane Vetere, and the director of student community life, Glen Weppler.

We shared the beauty of our tradition and found many commonalities among the multifaith community we formed that evening. 

At the end of the evening, Weppler turned to us and said, “We have to do this again and again and again.”

For more information on this program or Hillel at Ryerson in general, contact hillel@ryerson.ca.

Maiya Keidan is president of Hillel at Ryerson, and Jessica Gilbert is Hillel’s tzedek and Ryerson program associate.

[As printed in the CJN - Dec. 17,2009)

By SHERI SHEFA, Staff Reporter       

Hillel of Greater Toronto and Hillel Ri o De Janeiro are teaming up, for the first time, to give Canadian students the opportunity to visit and volunteer in the Brazilian Jewish community.
During reading week, Feb. 14 to 21, 2010, Laura Herman, Hillel of Greater Toronto’s engagement co-ordinator at the University of Toronto, plans to lead 12 to 15 students to Brazil. She hopes they will learn about the under-served populations in Latin America and practise the values of tikkun olam.

“We hope and do expect that when they come back from the trip, they will be involved in advocacy or fundraising or different opportunities that the students can create here relating to the issues that we learn about in Rio,” Herman said.

Out of about 175 million Brazilians, the Jewish community makes up about 120,000, with the majority residing in Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro and Porto Alegre.

Most of Brazil’s Jews are secular and are considered to be part of the upper middle-class of Brazilian society. The Jewish community is focused on preserving and enhancing its Jewish identity, and one of the main concerns is the rate of intermarriage, which hovers around 60 per cent.

The Brazilian Jewish community boasts about 80 organizations that are affiliated with the Federação Israelita do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Jewish Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro – FIERJ). The organizations include about 30 synagogues, five Jewish schools and Zionist women’s organizations, as well as sport and cultural associations.

Herman said Hillel Rio is different from Hillel’s in North America in that it operates more as a community organization, rather than a group strictly for students. It provides Jewish youth of all denominations with a place to congregate and establish a connection to their Jewish heritage; provides programs, including Hebrew classes and lectures about Israeli history and culture, and promotes travel opportunities through Taglit-Birthright Israel and MASA – The Project for Long Term Programs in Israel.  

Herman said that Hillel Rio invites students involved with Hillels all over the world to participate in weeklong tours that include volunteer opportunities, meeting members of the Brazilian Jewish community and sightseeing.

The cost of the program, which is $900, includes accommodation in Lagoa (near the beach), transportation to and from all activities and most meals. The cost of the flight is extra, but Herman said a grant from Hillel International will provide a $200 subsidy to offset some of the cost of the flight.

Hillel Rio provides a tentative itinerary that includes volunteer opportunities with organizations such as Project Smile, which gives underprivileged children the opportunity to learn about oral hygiene; Child in Motion, a program that invites volunteers to visit a local community centre and teach values through games and music, and Project Sababa, a program that involves volunteers visiting a Jewish seniors home and interacting with the residents.

Other cultural activities students can expect to participate in include a Capoeira workshop, where students learn about this Brazilian mix of martial arts, dance and music; a Caipirinha workshop, where students learn how make the most famous Brazilian drink, and a Samba dance class.

“We’ll be spending Shabbat with the Jewish community in Rio, so because of that, we’ll gain an even greater understanding of the way the Jewish community works there, the history there. And we’re going to visit the Jewish museum,” Herman said.

“All those kinds of things will really be a great opportunity for our students, so they not only understand the external culture in Rio, but they can also understand what makes that Jewish community unique and how we can work with them in the future.”

But, Herman said, the itinerary provided by Hillel Rio isn’t set in stone.

“When we go in February, it happens to be during the week of Carnaval [an annual festival], so we said we’re interested in participating as a group in one of the Carnaval events,” Herman said.

“If we know that [students] are interested in volunteering in a specific place, we would help to facilitate that as well.”

She added that she’ll be accepting applications until the beginning of January, and she said she’s looking for students who are interested in social justice work and helping communities aside from their own.

“They should have a keen interest in actually bringing what they’re going to be learning back to the community,” Herman said.

“In an increasing global environment, the Jewish youth is really connected to the broader community… In order to reach out to people who have multiple identities, this is a great way for them to take an interest in impoverished youth and for them to incorporate that with Jewish values.”

For more information or to apply, contact laura.herman@hilleltoronto.org.

Hillel students and staff talk about "My Toronto is..." part of CTV's city promotion.

On the heels of celebrating 60 years of bilateral trade relations between Canada and Israel, a group of 10 Hillel student activists from Toronto and Israel will be travelling to India for a one month volunteer program under the framework of ‘Olamot’ and Hillel’s immersive experience.

Featuring an in-depth interview with Sgt. Shaun Hoffman, former Hillel @ UofT student leader, and other Hillel students who have made Aliyah to Israel.

By SHERI SHEFA, Staff Reporter (As appeared in CJN, April 8, 2009)     

July will be a month of firsts for Hillel of Greater Toronto as five Toronto students will join five Israeli students on a tikkun olam trip to India.

Rebecca Woods Baum, Hillel of Greater Toronto’s immersive experience program co-ordinator, said this is the first time Hillel has worked on a trip with Hillel Israel and it will be the first time Hillel Toronto will travel to India.

Woods Baum said she was connected with the Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People (IFTP) through the efforts of IsraAID, a co-ordinating body of Israeli NGOs and groups that are active in development and relief work around the world.

“Through the IFTP, we are actually working with a Tibetan woman who is helping to organize the trip in India. It was IsraAID that came up with this idea and brought all these organizations together,” Woods Baum said, adding that  this is a pilot project for IsraAID founder Shachar Zahavi as well.

On July 12, five Toronto university students will travel to Israel to meet with five Israeli university students and participate in a four-day pre-trip orientation.

Woods Baum and the 10 students will travel together to India on July 16, where they will volunteer for four weeks in Dharamsala, a city that is home to the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile.

“We’re working in the Tibetan Children’s Village, which is also where we will be living, and we’ll be doing different things like helping them with their English… computer skills. We’ll be running day-to-day programs,” Woods Baum said.

“There is also talk of helping to restore a Tibetan museum in Dharamsala. We’re just going to see what’s needed there and what we can help out with.”

Before they head to Dharamsala, Woods Baum said, the group will fly into New Delhi, where they’ll have the opportunity to tour the area.

She added that she wants to ensure the programming offers educational opportunities.

“While they are in Israel, they will meet with the Indian Ambassador to Israel… When we’re in New Delhi, we’re going to try to set up a meeting with the Israeli ambassador to India, so we can have that exchange, and we’re going to see if we can meet up with Indian Jews living in Israel to have a cultural exchange.”

The cost of the trip, $2,750, covers everything including the flights, food, which will be strictly vegetarian, accommodation and travelling in Israel and India.

“We were able to get some funding from the community, which was very much appreciated, to help subsidize it,” she said.

With only five spots available, Woods Baum said she’s looking for applications from mature students who have volunteer experience.

“We’re going to a developing country. It will be taxing and it will be a culture shock.”

One of the aspects of the program that Woods Baum said she is enthusiastic about is the opportunity to create lasting connections between Israelis and Canadians.

“Given everything that’s been going on on campus, we’re using this trip as an engagement tool – bringing students into Hillel who maybe wouldn’t normally come in to Hillel, who might be scared away from all the Israel advocacy on campus,” she said.

“To me, going to India is a great opportunity for most students. We find students today are looking to travel with meaning. They want to see the world, but they want to do something meaningful while they’re there. I think they’ll be able to do that in India, but also they’ll be able to meet other Israelis and maybe have difficult conversations.

“To actually be able to talk to an Israeli about it and have a conversation with their peers is probably the best advocacy we can do as a community,” Woods Baum said, adding that she hopes to organize followup programming when they return from India, to keep the students engaged.

“Next year, if the trip is successful, we can go to other places in the world, we can accept more students and maybe even involve other Hillels throughout the world.”

Applications will be accepted until May 15. For more information, call 416-913-2424.

By: Avrum Rosensweig

Thursday, March 19,2008 (As featured in the CJN)

I was privileged and honoured to sit in on a Hillel staff meeting at the University of Toronto’s Wolfond Centre during Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW). My task was to give what is called chizuk, or strength, to those around the table, as it had been a difficult week.

I sat next to Zac Kaye, the director of Hillel and a steadfast and visionary leader. I looked out at all the campus staff members (about 15 of them) responsible for York University, Ryerson University and, of course, U of T.

I felt privileged and honoured to be part of that meeting, because I felt privy to something significant going on in the world – and everyone likes to sit next to important and courageous people.

I listened closely to the reporting. By then, I had read so much about IAW – much of it hyperbole – that hearing about this shameful event first hand, from individuals who had been eyewitnesses to it, was enlightening. I metaphorically put down the daily newspaper filled with sensationalism and listened to hear something authentic. 

Around the table we went. A representative from one of the Jewish campuses (I will leave names out for security reasons) said that Jewish students were feeling intimidated on campus, especially during IAW.

Another staff said that a lot of IAW is well-organized and well thought through, and that there is a need to be concerned about its level of sophistication. 

An entire spectrum of thought and opinion emanated from the meeting, reflecting fear of growing anti-Semitism on campus and the belief that Jewish students have friends everywhere. I was fascinated.

Mostly, however, I was proud of the people who were speaking. I realized as the meeting moved on that the people sitting next to me were walking the walk of activism – actually fighting the fight –  and that they’re integral for the preparation that’s required for a 12-round battle against anti-Semitism.

Then came my turn to speak.

I told the staff that we in the community recognize the courage it takes to be a Jewish community worker on campus nowadays. I let them know that we know they are on the front lines of combatting anti-Semitism and are wading into perilous waters. “This has not gone unnoticed,” I said.

I told my bold colleagues that we feel for them, knowing that they’re taking the punches and under stress from forces both within the community and outside of it. I reported to them that Jews everywhere – Holocaust survivors and rabbis, as well as men, women and children up and down the Bathurst Street corridor, above Steeles and below Bloor Street – are indebted to them for their gallant leadership.

On behalf of the Canadian Jewish community, I say to campus staff and students thank you for your eternal vigilance as Jews and accolades for choosing community work as your livelihood, knowing the risks that come with it.

Unfortunately, you are now witnesses to the “oldest hatred”: anti-Semitism. Your perception as Jews has likely changed, but today you are seasoned professionals, more so than yesterday. We need you. Let there be no mistake about that. We need you.

For immediate release:
Monday, March 16, 2009
 
Toronto, ON…Jewish students at York University and community leaders see York’s announcement today of a Task force on Student Life as a positive first step toward acknowledging and changing the toxic atmosphere on campus.
 
“We are pleased that the university has taken in account the deep concerns expressed by our community,” said David Koschitzky, Chair, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. “We think the Task force is a meaningful way to help stop intimidation and harassment on campus and we hope that investigations now underway into an ugly February 11 incident targeting Jewish students will move ahead with full force while the Task force is being formed.”
 
On February 11th, a mob of a 100 anti-Israel protesters barricaded Jewish students in Hillel lounge yelling anti-Semitic and anti-Israel slurs. Police were forced to escort Jewish students out of the lounge to ensure their safety.  Other anti-Semitic incidents including graffiti and verbal attacks continue to be reported on campus.
 
“We will lend support to this task force with the expectation that it will lead to a campus that respects civil discourse and the fair enforcement of the rules”, said Daniel Ferman, President of Hillel@York. “We also suggest a timetable for approval and implementation of task force recommendations, in addition to the August 31 deadline date for the task force report to be submitted.”
 
“We hope that the appointment of the task force will fully acknowledge and remedy the fear that Jewish students currently feel on their campus,” said Hasbara at York President Aaron Rosenberg.
 
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To read York University’s recent announcement: http://www.yorku.ca/mediar/archive/Release.php?Release=1636
 
Media Contacts:
 
Media Contact:
Sally Szuster, Public and Media Relations
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Phone: 416.840-2988/Cell: 647-280-6017 sszuster@ujafed.org www.jewishtoronto.com
 or
Natalie Menaged, Managing Director
Hasbara Fellowships
Phone:  646-365-0030/ cell: 646-897-9708
nmenaged@aish.com

For immediate release:
Friday, March 13, 2009

Toronto, ON…Jewish students on campus are questioning why York University is failing to enforce its own disciplinary actions, only a week after it announced fines and suspension to student groups. One of the groups suspended, Students Against Israel Apartheid (SAIA) continues to operate openly on campus during its period of suspension.

Despite being seen speaking with members of SAIA in front of their information table and “apartheid wall” on campus on Wednesday, York President Shoukri has failed to take any disciplinary action against SAIA for violating their suspension. 

York student Kaley Ames signed an affidavit yesterday that she witnessed President Shoukri’s presence at the SAIA table.

“It is very difficult to take York’s claim of enforcing its code of conduct seriously when it continues to allow SAIA to promote its false and divisive material, under the eye of President Shoukri, even when they are suspended,” said Ames.

“It is outrageous for York University to issue a news release announcing disciplinary actions while refusing to take action itself against a suspended group operating contrary to the sanctions against it,” said Daniel Ferman, President of Hillel@York.

“This is yet another example of the smoke and mirrors tactics of the York administration to demonstrate that everything is under control when rules are arbitrarily, selectively and unfairly enforced while the campus climate becomes more toxic every day,” said Aaron Rosenberg, President of Hasbara at York.

“Our community continues to be deeply concerned about York University’s commitment to take the necessary measures to ensure a campus where all students can feel safe, secure and free from hatred, harassment and intimidation” said David Koschitzky, Chair, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. “This incident does nothing to relieve our community’s concerns.”

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Media Contacts:
Daniel Ferman, President, Hillel@York
416 843-6253/ daniel@ferman.ca
and
Aaron Rosenberg, President, Hasbara at York
647-227-4404/ aaron_r123@hotmail.com 

For immediate release:
Thursday, March 12, 2009
 
Toronto, ON....Jewish students at York University are alarmed at another sign of anti- Semitism on campus.  Anti-Semitic graffiti was found yesterday in a men's washroom today that read:
  
"Boycott Israeli Apartheid"
"Why?"
"So you can help prove that Jews really can get away with whatever they want?"
 
The prevalence of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric on the York Campus has created a strong sense of fear and insecurity among many Jewish students, while events such as Israel Apartheid Week last week and the barricading of Jewish students in the Hillel lounge by a mob of 100 protesters last month have increased the intimidation and harassment that Jewish students now face.
  
"The graffiti that was discovered yesterday reflects the climate on campus that has been allowed to fester.  There must be a clear acknowledgment from the administration that there is a problem with anti-Semitism on campus, that many Jewish students are fearful and that the administration will take specific measures to address these problems," said Daniel Ferman, President of Hillel@York.
  
"It is unacceptable that Jewish students on campus have to so frequently face this kind of targeted assault. Yesterday’s disgusting graffiti was a yet another example of the toxic environment at York," said Hasbara at York President Aaron Rosenberg.
  
Security has been informed and a complaint has been filed. A request to publicly denounce this kind of anti-Semitism on campus has been made to President Shoukri in a letter delivered today. 
                                                                                      -30-

Media Contacts:
 
Daniel Ferman
President, Hillel@York 
416 843-6253
and
Aaron Rosenberg
President, Hasbara at York
647-227-4404

For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 05, 2009


Toronto, ON....Hillel of Greater Toronto, Hasbara Fellowships and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto are relieved that the York University has finally acknowledged publicly an investigation into a February 11 incident in which a mob of 100 anti-Israel protestors barricaded Jewish students in the Hillel lounge at York Campus yelling anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slurs.

“While the York acknowledgement of an investigation provides us with a measure of satisfaction, we are dismayed that it took the administration this long to acknowledge the incident,” said Daniel Ferman, President of Hillel@York.  “The statement also falls short by not recognizing that Jewish students were specifically targeted.”

“True confidence in the University will not return until strong action is taken against not only individuals who committed these ugly acts but also against organizations that contributed to the current climate of intimidation and harassment on campus,” said Hasbara at York co-president Aaron Rosenberg.

“Toronto’s Jewish community is very distressed about the current situation at York University and is demanding action. There is a palpable sense of disappointment in the community about York University’s lack of leadership and the slow pace of its investigation ” noted UJA Federation Chair David Koschitzky.

The York statement also highlights the administration’s decision to fine student clubs including Hillel and Hasbara for participating in a rally that took place on February 12th.  “We continue to maintain that these fines have been issued arbitrarily and unfairly,” said Ferman.  “The administration’s inability to enforce their own student code of conduct has led to the current climate on campus. To fine students for taking a stand against intimidation and harassment while ignoring the larger issues on campus is unacceptable,” added Rosenberg.

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Media Contact:
Sally Szuster, Public and Media Relations
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
Phone: 416.840-2988/Cell: 647-280-6017 sszuster@ujafed.org www.jewishtoronto.com
or
Natalie Menaged, Managing Director
Hasbara Fellowships
Phone:  646-365-0030/ cell: 646-897-9708
nmenaged@aish.com

1 click is all it takes to support student on campus. 
Click the image to go directly to the youtube video that shows exactly what it's like to be on campus today.  Blog about it, spread it around, forward it to your friends!

Get involved with the initiative at www.peaceoncampus.ca

Allegations of an anti-Semitic outburst at York University drew condemnation yesterday from the Jewish community amid concerns of mounting hostility on the school's campus.

For the second time in a week, Toronto police were called on campus as anti-Israel organizers isolated and threatened Jewish students. During a news conference held by a coalition of diverse students to impeach the York Federation of Students, anti-Israel organizers shut down the announcement, yelling anti-Semitic slurs and physically intimidating Jewish students.

Push to oust York student leaders stirs ethnic tensions.  Police called after raucous group disrupts news conference, chants slogans.