Upcoming Events
Recent Events
March 1, 2010
NIFC New Generations Event With Yohannes Bayu of the African Refugee Development Center
Scratch Gallery & Espresso Bar, Toronto
Social and spiritual activists as well as concerned young Canadians attended this unique opportunity to meet, discuss and engage Yohannes Bayu about the plight of African asylum seekers in Israel.
February 23, 2010
Yohannes Bayu: The Voice of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel
Temple Emanu-El, Toronto
Mr. Bayu, one of few recognized refugees in Israel, relayed his story as a political refugee from Ethiopia and his arrival in Israel in the mid 1990s. Motivated by his eperience, Mr. Bayu founded the African Refugee Developent Center in 2004 and cares for the 20,000 African asylum seekers in Israel. Speaking to the audience at Temple Emanu-El, Mr. Bayu detailed the living conditions of the African community as well as the need for necessary policy change in order to create coherent refugee infrastructure.
February 4, 2010
Professor Yifat Bitton: The Challenges Facing the Sephardic Community in Israel Today
Congregation Adath Israel, Toronto
Professor Bitton illustrated her work as an advocate for communities that face discrimination and her use of tort law as a new tool to fight against segregation. Professor Bitton is founder and current co-chair of the Tmura Center-the Israeli Antidiscrimination Center. civil cases and private law fornation-wide social change, Bitton is Associate Professor at the School of Management Law in Israel.
For press coverage of this event, click here.
Photo courtesy Michael Hudson photography
November 17, 2009
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, Michael and Amira Dan Professor in Global Health
Beth Tzedec Synagogue, Toronto
Palestinian physician Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish addressed an audience of over 600 in Toronto, relaying the story of his family’s tragedy and his belief in peace between clashing communities. Dr. Abuelaish, who lost two daughters and a niece in Operation Cast Lead, spoke passionately about how tragedies of war can, and must be, turned into positive, inspiring acts. He called for Israelis and Palestinians to engage in discussion with open minds, tolerance and humanity. Sponsored by Jewish and Muslim organizations, the gathering was a unique opportunity all to come together. Dr. Abuelaish was nominated for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.
Left to right: Isser Dubinsky, President, New Israel Fund of Canada;
Hagai El-Ad; Debra Campbell, Past President, New Israel Fund of Canada.
October 27, 2009: Community Event
Hagai El-Ad, Executive Director, ACRI: Association of Civil Rights in Israel
Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
Hagai El Ad, Executive Director of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel, spoke to an audience of over 140 people and analyzed the challenges and triumphs of their fight for civil liberties in Israel. El-Ad stressed the pernicious impact of over 40 years of occupation not only on the human rights of Palestinians living under occupation but the impact on Israeli morale and democratic and human rights values. He also explained ACRI’s increasing use of educational and media efforts to supplement litigation and make human rights a personally relevant issue for all Israelis. ACRI, Israel's oldest and largest human rights organization, is NIF’s flagship grantee.
For press coverage, click here.
August 25, 2009: Community Event
Vigil for the Victims of the Tel-Aviv Shooting
Miles Nadal JCC, Toronto
The Vigil, organized by New Israel Fund of Canada and Kulanu Toronto, featured speakers from both organizations as well as Canadian Jewish Congress CEO Bernie Farber, and prayers led by First Narayever Rabbi Ed Elkin, Kiever Rabbi Aaron Levy, and Shir Libeynu leader Aviva Goldberg. Nearly 100 people joined us to pray for the victim's families and survivors and to speak up against hate.
May 5, 2009: Community Event
Sikkuy: The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality
Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
An opportunity to hear presentations by the Jewish and Arab co-directors of Sikkuy, Ron Gerlitz and Ali Haider, and the former Executive Director, Shuli Dichter. Over 60 people attended this presentation. Sikkuy has pioneered a film festival supported by NIFC aimed at greater mutual understanding among Jewish and Arab Israelis.
May 4, 2009: New Generations Event
Sikkuy: The Association for the Advancement of Civic Equality
Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto
An intimate conversation with Jewish and Arab leaders of Sikkuy and interested young individuals from New Generations at NIFC and Generation Aleph at Holy Blossom Temple
April 16, 2009: Community Event
Yuvi Tashome from Friends by Nature
First Narayever Congregation, Toronto
Presentation and Kiddush with Ethiopian Israeli social innovator, Yuvi Tashome
April 15, 2009: New Generations Event
Yuvi Tashome from Friends by Nature
Private Home, Toronto
Desserts, wine, and deep discussion with over 30 young adults from the downtown Kiever Friday evening Congregation and Ethiopian Israeli social innovator, Yuvi Tashome about the realities of Israeli Multiculturalism
April 14, 2009: Campus Community Event
Yuvi Tashome from Friends by Nature
Hillel Student Lounge, York University, Toronto
Lunch and Learn Passover conversation with Jewish students and Ethiopian Israeli social innovator, Yuvi Tashome
April 13, 2009: Community Event
Yuvi Tashome from Friends by Nature
Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto
The Liberation Seder offered a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate Israel and Passover while discussing and learning more about challenges facing Israel today. Over 125 people focused on the theme "Remember You Too were Strangers in Egypt" discussing several estranged communities within Israel, culminating with the remarks of Ms Tashome on her own personal exodus as a child crossing the Sudanese desert and her current cutting-edge empowerment work with Israeli-Ethiopian youth-at-risk. The one-of-a-kind Haggadah and religious programming were made possible by artist Rochelle Rubinstein, and Rabbi Lawrence Englander and the event was also made possible through the support of the Itta and Eliezer Zeisler Memorial Lectures and the Zukerman Family Foundation.
February 12, 2009: Community Event
Nabila Espanioly, NIF Board Member
Private Home, Toronto
A special opportunity to meet a prominent Arab-Israeli leader dealing with internal and external challenges facing her community, with particular emphasis on the status of women and young children.
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