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Federation AGM to Feature National Post Columnist Jonathan Kay
Jewish Federation’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 20th will feature noted journalist Jonathan Kay, who will speak about the changing landscape for the Canadian Jewish community. As the comments page editor and an op-ed columnist for the National Post, Kay is one of Canada’s keenest observers of both the domestic and international political scenes.

Other business at the meeting will include the election of directors, reports on Jewish Federation’s fundraising activity, and recognition of Mark James and Diane Switzer for their leadership of our Annual Campaign over the past several years. The meeting, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. at King David High School, is free and open to the public.

November Trip to Israel a Unique Experience
Looking for a unique trip that combines an opportunity to tour Israel, learn about the major issues facing the country, and see the impact of Jewish Federation’s charitable work there firsthand? Consider joining our November mission, led by Anita Silber. In addition to the eight day tour, participants will have the option of extending their trip to join the General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America, whose annual gathering is taking place in Jerusalem. Click here for more information.

Alvin Wasserman Honoured at JCC Gala
I was pleased to attend last night’s JCC Gala honouring past JCC president, Alvin Wasserman. Over a number of years, I have had the pleasure of working with Alvin not only as a JCC volunteer leader, but also as an active volunteer with Jewish Federation. Alvin has such a wonderful blend of passion for community, warmth, creativity, kindness and modesty, that he invariably makes a mark wherever he puts his effort. He’s clearly done that in his professional life, where he has built one of the city’s most successful advertising firms. We are so fortunate that he’s also focused for many years on building and strengthening our community.

As a newcomer from Montreal, Alvin quickly realized that there wasn’t the same critical mass and richness of Jewish life here. So, he set about doing what he could to help nurture and build community, primarily through our Jewish Community Centre, but also in many other arenas, including Jewish Federation, the Jewish Film Festival and more.

Hearing Alvin’s reflections last night on the importance of community in his life, and how that motivated him to help build that for others, it was clear why he has emerged as such a great example of outstanding volunteer community leadership.

Parashat Beha’alotecha
At the start of this parasha, the Israelites are again complaining in the desert. After two years of subsisting on manna, they miss what they remember as the plentiful and flavourful foods of Egypt, even though they only experienced them in slavery.

There are numerous commentaries on the complaints of the Israelites. Some commentators see them as justifiable outcomes of the hardship involved in a long, difficult journey. Others see them as the justifiable basis for God’s punishment for the peoples’ lack of faith. One of the more compelling comments I have seen comes from The Place of Understanding by Rabbi Jacob Weinstein. Weinstein sees the complaints as an expression of fear of the future. The future is inevitably uncertain. In the light of a challenging present, it is a natural human tendency to view the past through rose-coloured glasses. We mute the harshness of past problems and highlight the better memories, because that can be easier than facing the uncertainty of tomorrow.

It is a phenomenon we can easily relate to today. Our world is full of such rapid change; the daily news throws at us such a cacophony of challenges – political, environmental, social – that it is easy to look back at what seem to be simpler days.

Shabbat shalom!