Technion Goes for Gold

Through the doors of the Park Hyatt hotel in midtown Toronto, on March 31, 250 young professionals assembled for the inaugural event from Generation Next.

Born out of a call to action by the The Canadian Technion Society young leadership division - specifically by Hershel Recht its National Development Director and Cheryl Koperwas, National Executive Director - the event As Good As Gold was a tremendous success. Its purpose was simply to deliver a message to all in attendance: Now more than ever it is imperative that each one of us give, if not in vast amounts our treasure to the Jewish cause of our choice then at least a part of our time and talent, to raise awareness of the organization or cause's good works.

The Technion, Israel's institute of technology is a leading Israeli educational institution. It stands at the forefront of the global network in the field of science an technology, playing a key role in advancing the country's infrastructure and its crucial defense.

The draw for the night was the opportunity to hear from one of Canada's leading philanthropists, businessmen and all around mensch, Seymour Schulich C.M. Schulich discussed his personal story and why he believes the future of Israel is dependent upon the graduates of the Technion. It is because of the Technion's aforementioned role on the world stage that Schulich chooses to give of his time, talent and once it was fully realized, a significant portion of his financial holdings.

Here is a little taste of how the keynote started off...





For more information on Canadian Friends of Technion University, Generation Next and how you can get involved click here.

Canada Votes 2011 - CJPACers blog their party allegiances!

In case you hadn't noticed, Canada is smack-dab in the middle of an election campaign.

And what better way to honour our democratic system than to give voice to Jewish community youth taking an active part in shaping our country's next political landscape.

The Shmooze is proud to present four takes from volunteers working with the major Canadian political parties, telling you to get out and vote.

The Canadian Jewish Shmooze wishes to thank Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) for its kind permission in reprinting and posting these four blogs from their members: Aaron Silver, Zach Paikin, Sarah Kitai and Julien Newman. We're sure you'll figure out where their party allegiances are as you read their posts.

- The Shmooze Team 

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By Aaron Silver

My vote doesn’t matter. What can one person possibly change? Elections are just hype and spin, nothing changes. My life won’t change one way or another.

Ever felt like this? Keep reading.

Read more...                 

http://www.itsup2you.ca/en/2011/03/aaron-silver-introduction/



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By Zach Paikin

Hi everyone! Zach Paikin here. I’m a student at McGill University pursuing a B.A. in Middle East Studies with a minor in Political Science, and am a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Read more...

http://www.itsup2you.ca/en/2011/03/zach-paikin-introduction/

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By Sarah Kitai

I’ll let you in on a little secret… I’m really not cut out for politics. I can’t regurgitate talking points, I hate spin, and I find every issue so incredibly nuanced that I tend to question my own opinions at least five times a day. Yet, here I am volunteering on a Green Party campaign (yes, you heard that right) when I should probably be focused on my upcoming exams.

Read more...                 

http://www.itsup2you.ca/en/2011/03/sarah-kitai-go-green/

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By Julien Newman

I have been an active member of the NDP since the ripe age of 14 and I worked in many campaigns in my home ridding of Hull-Aylmer. Like everywhere else in Quebec at the time, the NDP didn’t have very bright electoral prospects. Over the years our results gradually improved and after Thomas Mulcair was elected in Montreal it became extremely exciting to be involved.            

Read more...

http://www.itsup2you.ca/en/2011/03/election-2011-making-gains/

 

From #Tribefest to #BAYT: A call to elevate...

The month started with an interesting look at where the Jewish religion may be heading today. At Tribefest in Las Vegas organized by members of the various federations of North America, Jewish identity, the acceptance of Punk Jews and others like them, among the traditional streams of Judaism was a prominent theme.

Punk Jews like you or I hold a strong religious belief in their heritage. The difference between us is that they choose to express their level of spirituality in unique and unconventional ways, often against the grain of what the age-old institutions deem appropriate.


When the article was printed in The CJN, the focus was primarily on creative Americans. When the question was posed to Evan Kleinman producer of the Punk Jews documentary how far the influence of Punk Jews had reached, Kleinman admitted to having received e-mails from Vancouver, Toronto as well as parts of Europe.Groups of young Jews in various cities were all messaging that they, like their American counterparts had similar stories to share and were looking for an event like Chulent to come north or go across the pond.

For Punk Jews Chulent is not the traditional stew, rather a weekly gathering at a Synagogue in New York where the diverse group of Jews gather to sing, dance, rap, share art and have fun.

Synagogues here and in the United States are clamoring to fill their seats, as they watch their memberships decline. Last week, Rabbi Josh Blass spoke at BAYT - the third candidates for the vacated senior rabbi position. All of the rabbis interviewed thus far have echoed essentially the same message of BAYT's members, namely that institutional Judaism has put itself in a tightly-packed box. Each synagogue accepts members who follow a certain level of observance. The modern orthodox community in Toronto, at least those at BAYT, are adopting the stance that it would likely be beneficial in today’s world to try opening its doors to those less frum than themselves. This effort reflects a push to reach out to the un-affiliated and create a more welcoming space to the kinds of Jews outside their mainstream congregants.

One of the top spokespeople for the Punk Jews documentary Y-Love, the first African-American Orthodox Jewish hip-hop artist, made this very strong lasting impression with just four words "Unity elevates, division destroys".

Last of the candidates for BAYT'S top spot

The weeks have gone by and the time is quickly aproaching when the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto Congregation (BAYT) will have to choose their next Senior Rabbi. Before the votes are cast one candidate remains to be screened: Rabbi Josh Blass, Morah D'asra of Kehillas Bais Yehudah in Wesley Hills, New York. A position he has held since August 2005.

Blass, the youngest of the three candidates for Beth Avraham's top job, received his smicha from RIETS in 1998. Straight from high school Blass studied for a year and a half in Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim before commencing studies at Yeshiva University.

Aside from his shul obligation his time is given to Project Tikvah, a branch of the Rockland Women's Shelter (caring for battered and abused women) serving as the rabbinic advisor. He is an active member of the chevrah kadisha and has lectured extensively throughout the New York area.

In much the same way as those evaluated before him did, Blass will be speaking on Friday night and Shabbat morning as well as Shabbat afternoon at Seudah Shelishit (Third Meal). He will meet with the BAYT's young families group on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. in the Simcha Suite and will also give the Daf Yomi shiur Sunday morning.