Yom HaAtzmaut at Queen?s Park ? a flag-raising experience
Written by Joanne Hill
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
She spoke of voting in favour of Shurman?s Private Members? resolution to the Ontario Legislature, which condemned Israeli Apartheid Week.
?Although I?m the daughter of an Italian immigrant, since that day in the legislature I?ve felt a little bit Jewish and a little bit Israeli. I?ll tell you why: because I had a death threat come into my house (and) because I?ve been called all manner of names. It gave me a sense and it gave me a bit of the experience of what you?ve been through, both as a nation and as a people. So I can say with a little bit more solidity and with a little bit more foundation now, shalom and mazel tov again. I look forward to the day that Peter talks about when I can go and see Israel for myself and kiss that ground that is sacred to all of us.?
Yom HaAtzmaut at Queen?s Park ? a flag-raising experience
Written by Joanne Hill
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
TORONTO ? Members of Ontario?s three major political parties and a roster of distinguished speakers gathered at Queen?s Park last Tuesday for the third annual raising of the Israeli flag in commemoration of Yom HaAtzmaut. More than 105 students from Ulpanat Orot Girls? School, some wearing, ?Picture This: Israel 62? t-shirts, draped in Israeli flags and with blue Magen Davids painted on their faces, joined the celebration. They led the crowd in the spontaneous singing of HaTikvah, the Israeli national anthem, as the flag was raised.
Amir Gissin, consul general of Israel, was the guest of honour. Joe Bogoroch, president of B?nai Brith Canada, was also in attendance. Speakers included Dr. Leon Genesove, member, board of governors, B?nai Brith Canada; event moderator Tony Ruprecht, MPP Davenport; Peter Shurman, MPP Thornhill; Cheri DiNovo, MPP Parkdale-High Park; Monte Kwinter, MPP York Centre; Alan Winer, chair, UJA Federation; Len Rudner, Canadian Jewish Congress, and Dr. Charles McVety, president, Canada Christian College. Singer Gitit Shoval sang two Israeli songs and closed the event with a beautiful rendition of HaTikvah.
Dr. Genesove said, ?I?m delighted and honoured to be here today to celebrate Israel?s 62nd Independence Day. For six decades, Israel has miraculously fended off numerous invasions and terrorist attacks, all the while maintaining its vibrancy as the region?s only democracy and as a world leader in such fields as medicine, science and technology, as well as arts and culture. As a Canadian and a proud Jew, I'm filled with pride at Israel?s diverse accomplishments across so many spheres....
?We?re gathered here today to salute Israel for its courageous and inspirational 62 years of statehood. We pledge to con tinue to support democratic Israel in its quest for peace and its efforts to defend its civilians from ongoing terrorism....
?We are full of pride and satisfaction for what Israel has accomplished with virtually no natural resources, with the aid of human resources and creativity alone. Israel?s success is a testament to the enduring ingenuity, strength and morality of the Jewish people.?
Gissin told the crowd he felt that he was among friends.
?There is no place as close to Israel as this specific place at this very moment. We are so close in our hearts and the friendship is so deep here in Canada, here in Ontario, here in Toronto, and I think that this unique gathering, the kind of people that are standing here in a circle, proves again that there?s no place closer to Israel, closer to Jerusalem, closer to Tel Aviv, than Toronto on this wonderful morning.?
The Liberal Party was represented by Ruprecht, Kwinter, Eric Hoskins, Mike Colle, David Zimmer, Reza Moridi, David Levac, John Gerretsen, Dr. Helena Jaczek, Yasir Naqvi, Khalil Ramal and Jean Augustine; the Progressive Conservative Party was represented by Shurman, Frank Klees, John O?Toole, Jerry Ouellette, Ted Arnott and Ted Chudleigh; and the NDP was represented by Cheri DiNovo.
Referring to her former position as a United Church minister, DiNovo said, ?We Christians know our roots and we know, because we read our Scripture, that Jews are the Chosen People of the Chosen Land of Israel, so mazel tov.?
She spoke of voting in favour of Shurman?s Private Members? resolution to the Ontario Legislature, which condemned Israeli Apartheid Week.
?Although I?m the daughter of an Italian immigrant, since that day in the legislature I?ve felt a little bit Jewish and a little bit Israeli. I?ll tell you why: because I had a death threat come into my house (and) because I?ve been called all manner of names. It gave me a sense and it gave me a bit of the experience of what you?ve been through, both as a nation and as a people. So I can say with a little bit more solidity and with a little bit more foundation now, shalom and mazel tov again. I look forward to the day that Peter talks about when I can go and see Israel for myself and kiss that ground that is sacred to all of us.?