FRIENDS OF SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST STUDIES

DON’T GET CAUGHT
EMPTY-HANDED!
AVOID THE PANDEMONIUM OF 2010!

YES- WE WERE ALL SOLD OUT BY MID-MAY AND RAN INTO A SCALPER-LIKE SITUATION. DON’T TAKE A CHANCE ON MISSING THE BIGGEST AND MOST FABULOUS EVENT OF THE YEAR!

FASTFORWARD

April 4 - 8, 2011

SPIRIT OF HOPE

1600 TICKETS ALREADY SOLD!

CALL 416. 864. 9735 X 40
TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
TODAY!

Become an FSWC Member Today!

THUMBS UP

Thumbs up this week to Carleton University for refusing to be bullied by the anti-Semitic group Students against Israeli apartheid and the Carleton Graduate Student Association. Last week approximately 200 disorderly students forced the cancellation of a university Board of Governors meeting to protest the school’s refusal to divest from Israel. In response, Carleton University president Roseann O’ Reilly Runte sent a strongly worded email to all members of the university community stating that student protesters who block board members from attending meetings could face fines or be barred from campus. “This must not occur again,” her e-mail said. “Those who have said they will interrupt meetings until they have their way are participating in inappropriate bullying tactics.”

According to a university spokesperson, Carleton University is not considering divestment from Israel.

POLL QUESTION

Will Richard Goldstone’s recant of his false accusations against Israel lead the UN Human Rights Council to retract the Goldstone Report?

CLICK HERE to vote

PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS

Are you planning to vote in the May 2 federal election?

Yes: 91%

No: 8%

WEEKLY FEATURES

News Corner:

SPOTLIGHT ON

In the run-up to Spirit of Hope 2011 FastForward will profile the speakers and supporters of FSWC’s signature event. Today we feature a Q & A with an experienced Spirit of Hope canvasser who resumes her annual efforts to help the event surpass its fundraising goals.

Marilyn Sliwin

FF: As a canvasser, what do you think is the most important message to get out?

MS: As a child of a Holocaust survivor I am well versed in Holocaust history and am always
surprised by how many people are not. I think that we have become very comfortable in the west and have adopted a “nothing will ever happen to me” attitude; we have become complacent at the exact time when we must be vigilant. I believe FSWC is an organization that addresses the serious issues that many of us prefer to avoid and remains vigilant on behalf of the wider community. Through its outstanding educational programming the organization ensures schoolchildren are taught how to address topics including racism and anti-Semitism, and I believe it’s vital that this work is supported.

FF: Why did you become a canvasser?

MS: Years ago I was invited to a donor’s home to view a movie and hear Avi speak about the organization. I learned about FSWC’s mission to counter hatred and anti-Semitism and to promote tolerance and social justice. Shortly after I attended my first Spirit of Hope benefit and was so impressed with the event and the speakers, including Roméo Dallaire, that I became a passionate supporter of FSWC. It’s easy for me to canvass because I truly believe the community has a responsibility to support an organization like FSWC that achieves so much on our behalf.

FF: Why should our members support Spirit of Hope?

MS: It’s critical for the Jewish community to stay on top of the issues that affect us in both the short and long terms. The explosion of social media means there are even more ways for consumers to read biased coverage and we need FSWC to counter the many unfounded and negative messages. In addition, I believe it’s important to point out that the money raised by FSWC is spent wisely; it’s impressive how much such a small staff can accomplish.

News Features of the Week

Forget Kabul, Look to Baku: The Search for Muslim Moderates

By Rabbi Abraham Cooper in the Huffington Post

Egypt’s revolution is leaving women behind

By Sheema Khan in the Globe and Mail

FASTFORWARD
Have your Say!

FSWC received the following letter from a high school teacher who brought her class to a “Lessons and Legacy of the Holocaust” workshop earlier this week. Faigie Libman, survivor of the Stutthof concentration camp, joined the class to tell the students her story.

My grade 11s came to class in amazement; it truly touched them to hear about Faigie’s experiences. They all said they loved how personal it was to "actually get to hear a survivor" speaking to them. . . Several commented they liked that she talked about her life after being liberated, and how she moved on, still believing in God and not feeling hatred afterwards. I really liked how she said she likes to end on a hopeful, positive note, talking about the good in people. She really is a special person. There are many amazing stories and it is important to talk about the good ones too.

I cannot express what an honour and privilege it was to have you with us and to hear Faigie speak. If I am teaching grade 11 again next year I will definitely contact you to book again! I would love to bring students to the centre for the day; I agreed with my students, it just wasn't enough time!

Thanks again for a powerful experience.
I will stay in touch!

Courtney T.
English and Modern Languages teacher
Durham District School Board

Do you have any questions or comments about FSWC activities, decisions or positions on issues? Please let us know.

Email mailto:sstarkman@fswc.ca

DON’T GET CAUGHT EMPTY-HANDED! AVOID THE PANDEMONIUM OF 2010! YES- WE WERE ALL SOLD OUT BY MID-MAY AND RAN INTO A SCALPER-LIKE SITUATION. DON’T TAKE A CHANCE ON MISSING THE BIGGEST AND MOST FABULOUS EVENT OF THE YEAR!