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 THUMBS DOWN!
Thumbs down this week to the vehemently anti-Semitic supporters of the Canadian
flotilla to Gaza. Dubbed the "Sea Hitler," the boat offers symbolic political
support to the terrorist Hamas regime while blatantly ignoring the slaughter
taking place in Syria and the thousands of Syrian refugees in dire need of aid
on the Turkish border.
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POLL QUESTION
Do you believe the Dutch Parliament's vote to ban ritual slaughter of
animals is the beginning of a new phase of European anti-Semitism?
CLICK HERE to
vote
PREVIOUS POLL RESULTS
Are you concerned about the
international flotilla set to sail for Gaza at the end of June?
Yes: 80%
No: 19%
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NEWS FEATURES OF THE WEEK
By Rabbi Abraham
Cooper in FoxNews.com
By Kevin Myers in the Ireland-based Independent.ie blog
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News Corner
SPOTLIGHT ON
12 HOURS OF POWER
FSWC Mission to Washington
September 22, 2011
It's the most important city in the western world and the seat of its greatest
power.
Join FSWC as we head to Washington for 12 hours of meetings and briefings with
the Washington political, diplomatic and media elite.
"As we encounter ever greater signs of a terrible and resurgent anti-Semitism,
it is crucial that we forge relationships with those people who have the power
to understand its dangers and to effect positive change," said FSWC President
and CEO Avi Benlolo. "The 12 Hours of Power trip to Washington is an effort to
create those relationships and bring about the necessary changes; we hope as
many FSWC members as possible will join us to make sure that the voices of
reason and tolerance are heard"
For registration and information contact FSWC Relationship Coordinator Macey
Markowitz at 416.864.9735 x 29 or
mmarkowitz@fswc.ca
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FREEDOM DAY
with L. Gen. Romeo Dallaire
September 20, 2011
12
noon - 1.30 p.m.
Join FSWC leadership and more than 1000 students from across the GTA as we
celebrate the life and legacy of Simon Wiesenthal at the first annual FREEDOM
DAY celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto.
Spend an incredible afternoon with our keynote speaker, Canadian author and
Senator, Lieutenant General Romeo
Dallaire and emcee Rick Campanelli of ET Canada as they highlight the Canadian
values of Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights.
For information and registration contact Education Director Melissa Mikel
at 416.864.9735 x 24
or CLICK HERE to
visit the
FREEDOM DAY
website
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MEDIA CONTACT
Stacey Starkman
Communications Manager
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies
416.864.9735 x 32
sstarkman@fswc.ca
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A RESPONSIBLIITY TO THANK
"It's time to say thank you to our steadfast friends. It is our
responsibility to let them know how much their support means to our community.
It is our duty to ensure they know their unwavering moral clarity is not taken
for granted."
- Avi Benlolo, President & CEO, FSWC
This September Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC)
is hosting a unique opportunity for our friends to offer support and thanks when
we present Laureen Harper with the FSWC Award of Valour at a Luncheon in
Toronto.
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Laureen Harper
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Co-chair of the event, Senator Linda Frum notes, "Mrs. Harper is a staunch
supporter of the programs and values of FSWC, particularly in the area of
Holocaust remembrance, women's rights and human rights in general; she is a
worthy recipient of this award and is deserving of our full recognition."
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Aayan Hirsi Ali
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The keynote speaker at the event is Aayan Hirsi Ali, noted feminist, politician,
filmmaker and author of The Caged
Virgin, Infidel and Nomad.
"We hope to see a great turnout at the September Award of Valour luncheon," said
Mr. Benlolo. "The Canadian government's refusal to hop on the many anti-Semitic
and anti-Israeli bandwagons that are gaining in popularity today makes our
country the envy of peace loving people around the world. We have an obligation
to show our gratitude."
For more information or to register for the Luncheon on September 16th
contact Program Developer Tracey Zohar at 416.864.9735 x 40 or tzohar@fswc.ca
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ASSURANCE BY DUTCH AMBASSADOR THAT ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE NETHERLANDS IS
NOT "LEFT UNCHECKED" MARRED BY RECENT VOTE IN DUTCH PARLIAMENT TO BAN KOSHER
SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS
In response to a recent letter by FSWC to the Dutch Ambassador to Canada
regarding Dutch funding for a virulently anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli group,
Ambassador Wim Geerts noted management of the organization in question has been
replaced. His letter included the following encouraging words,
"I understand your dismay. . . Let me finish by assuring you that
anti-Semitism is not left unchecked in the Netherlands. Instead it is taken most
seriously and I assure you our goverment is actively engaged in putting an end
to it."
However, despite this heartening response from Ambassador Geerts, it must also
be noted that on June 28 ritual religious slaughter was banned by the Dutch
Parliament for the first time since the Nazi era. In pointing this out to the
Ambassador Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of FSWC also noted,
"As my organization struggles to counter a growing surge of anti-Semitism
worldwide I find myself struggling to reconcile your words of support withy your
government's passing of such a blatantly discriminatory law; indeed, I have a
great deal of trouble understanding how this can be happening."
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SAM MIZRAHI RACES TO A FIRST PLACE WIN ON THE FAST & FURIOUS TRACK
The first Sunday morning of
summer turned out to be Sam Mizrahi's lucky day as he beat all other racers in
FSWC's Fast & Furious Formula One style racing event to
claim the trophy and (at least until next year) bragging rights as the fastest
driver.
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Fast & Furious Racers All Suited Up
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"Winning the Gold
Cup trophy for the fastest time and the head-to-head Cat and Mouse race was the
icing on top of a spectacular, adrenaline-filled day. I look forward to taking
on all Wiesenthal racers at next year's event and doing my best to retain the
title," Mr. Mizrahi enthused.
Racer Andrew Wilder was just as excited about winning the Top Fundraiser award
at the event, which saw steely-nerved Wiesenthal donors suit up and spend four
hours learning proper racing techniques before hitting the track and clocking
their time.
"What an exciting event! It was an honour
to be dubbed the Fast & Furious "Top Fundraiser" and simply a great deal of fun
to play race car driver for the day. Thank you for the opportunity to
do good while having such a good time," Mr. Wilder said.
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WIESENTHAL CENTER DEPLORES DUTCH PARLIAMENT VOTE TO BAN RITUAL SLAUGHTER
OF ANIMALS
"The country that was once the beacon for religious liberty is signaling
Jews and Muslims there's no place for their religious practices," says Center
June 28, 2011 - The
Dutch Parliament voted on Tuesday to ban ritual slaughter of animals-- the first
time since the Nazi era--- a move strongly opposed by the Jewish community and
many religious Muslims.
"Holland was once a beacon of refuge for those seeking religious freedom. If
today's vote is validated by the Upper House, the Dutch are signaling religious
minorities their rights are no longer respected," charged Rabbi Abraham Cooper,
associate dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading International Jewish
NGO, adding, "In the past weeks, every major Jewish organization in Europe and
North America urged Dutch leaders to drop this ill-conceived bill that bans
slaughter of animals that have not been previously stunned."
CLICK HERE to read the full release
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SIMON WIESENTHAL CENTRE URGES INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION TO
INVESTIGATE DELTA/SAUDI DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES
Paris 27 June, 2011 - In a letter to Peter
Hartman, Chairman and Tony Tyler, Director-General of the International Air
Transport Association (IATA), the Simon Wiesenthal Centre's Director for
International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, urged an enquiry into the
ramifications of a Delta Airlines - Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) partnership for
Christian and Jewish passengers.
Samuels stressed the Centre's concern "at diverse media reports regarding the
announced air services agreement between Delta Airlines and Saudi Arabian
Airlines (SAA). Contradictory claims regarding the ramifications of the accord
for Christian and Jewish passengers require an enquiry by a reputable
professional arbiter."
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LAWYERS4WIESENTHAL PRESENTS!
WINE TASTING WITH TONY ASPLER
"The Wine Guy"
October 4, 2011 7.30 pm
Join FSWC wine lovers at a unique wine tasting event with Canada's wine guru
Tony Aspler, host of a weekly wine program on 680 NEWS and author of 16 books on
wine and food.
For registration and information contact FSWC Relationship Coordinator Macey
Markowitz 416.864.9735 x 29 or
mmarkowitz@fswc.ca
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DOCTORS4WIESENTHAL PRESENTS!
PRECIOUS LIFE
Documentary Film Screening
October 27, 2011 6.30 pm
Sheppard Center Theatre, Toronto
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies Proudly Invites You to
an Exclusive Screening of the documentary film Precious Life with special
guest Dr. Raz Somech, head of Pediatric immunology at Sheba's Edmond and Lily
Safra Children's Hospital in Israel.
Precious Life documents the struggles and consequences of an Israeli
pediatrician and a Palestinian mother brought together to save her son, who
suffers from an incurable genetic disease. Each must face their most profound
biases and navigate external pressures as they act to save an innocent life.
For registration and information contact
FSWC Relationship Coordinator Macey Markowitz at 416.864.9735 x 29 or
mmarkowitz@fswc.ca
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IN MEMORY OF KRISTALLNACHT
Lawyers4Wiesenthal Presents
KAREL DE BEER, Chair
Task Force for International Cooperation on the Holocaust
November 1, 2011 12 noon - 1.30 p.m.
Offices of Heenan Blaikie, Toronto
How can communities around the world confront the resurgent anti-Semitism that
becomes more apparent with each passing year? In commemoration of the 73rd
anniversary of the November 1938 Kristallnacht - the Night of the Broken Glass,
Mr. De Beer will discuss how the International Task Force on the Holocaust plans
to address this issue.
For registration and information contact FSWC Relationship Coordinator Macey
Markowitz at 416.864.9735 x 29 or
mmarkowitz@fswc.ca
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