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Upcoming Events
New Israel Fund of Canada is proud to be a sponsor of a live concert featuring Divahn, a bold all-woman Mizrahi/Sephardi ensemble at the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival.
In keeping with NIFC’s 25-year-old focus on women’s empowerment and our commitment to furthering the status of women in Israel, Divahn also creatively underscores common ground between diverse Middle Eastern cultures and religions with their exciting feminist ensemble. The group has engendered an international following with their edgy renditions of traditional and original Middle Eastern Jewish songs: lush string arrangements, eclectic Indian, Middle Eastern, and Latin percussion, and vocals spanning Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish, Persian, Arabic, and Aramaic.
Ashkenaz, the largest Jewish cultural event in Canada, fosters an increased awareness of Jewish culture in all its forms through the arts, and celebrates our strength through our diversity. NIFC will also have a table in the Community Space with literature and videos. Drop by for a visit and bring a friend, we look forward to see you.
To learn more about Divahn, visit www.divahn.com
To learn more about the 2010 Ashkenaz Festival, running from August 31 to September 6, 2010 visit www.ashkenazfestival.com
Recent Events
July 14, 2010
Whose Zionism? A Conversation on Israel, Liberal Values and Jewish Community
The Kiever Synagogue, Toronto
 New Generations Canada and Makom partnered to bring Whose Zionism to young people in Toronto’s Jewish community. The event was an opportunity for participants to discuss their thoughts on the intersection between Israel, liberal values and Jewish community, in the inclusive and open setting of the Kiever Synagogue in the heart of Toronto’s developing Jewish downtown core.
With 60 participants, the discussion was dynamic and lively, using Peter Beinart’s ground-breaking article The Failure of the Jewish Establishment as a springboard. The program provided a safe space for young people in their 20s to 40s to engage each other and explore what Israel means to them, what struggles have developed in their relationship to the State, and how they view Jewish community in Toronto and beyond.
The participants were broken up in small facilitated dialogue groups, and within these clusters the range of discussion was diverse. Some groups discussed their relationship to the Jews in Israel as part of the Diaspora, and in others, the discussion focused more on recent political events and individual reactions.
The program, a New Generations Canada initiative, exceeded expectations both in terms of the number of attendees and the scope of discussion. Participants voiced their enthusiasm, commenting on the “need in the community for events like these,” and affirming that the event was “very engaging”.
Given the public response (the event actually had to be moved from its original location as a result of the overwhelming participants who wished to attend), it is likely that that New Generations Canada will continue to facilitate similar challenging discussions among young people in Canada.
Professor Naomi Chazan
May 9, 2010
Naomi Chazan: Achievements and Challenges of Israel's Democracy
Congregation Darchei Noam, Toronto
New Israel Fund president Naomi Chazan spoke in Toronto to an audience of over 250 people at Congregation Darchei Noam, about challenges to Israeli democracy. While a small protest was staged outside by the JDL, Chazan systematically outlined and analyzed the threats to Israel’s democracy and character, as well as the ways in which human rights and freedom of speech is being limited.
Chazan focused on the role of the democratic institutions in Israel and their work to provide equality, justice, tolerance for difference and pluralism. The challenges to these organizations are pernicious trends, and the work to create an Israel based on equality for all must continue. Without it, Israel makes choices that not only undermine the state, but undermine the very citizens it seeks to represent and protect.
“We are at a stage where we are fighting for the soul of Israel…the protection of Israel’s democracy is the key to its future. Everything else is secondary.” Referring to herself as the “Mother of Civil Society in Israel,” Chazan listed gender segregation, racism, and social and economic injustice to Arab citizens as practices that must be fought.
Suggesting that heated debate about Israel shows that one cares, Chazan led an engaging Q & A, inspiring a lively dialogue and discussion.
Click play below to hear the audio of this event. Please allow a moment for the audio to load.
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For Canadian Jewish News coverage and letters to the editor regarding Naomi Chazan's visit to Toronto, click here.
For other press coverage of this event, click here.
April 25, 2010
New Generations Canada discussion group with Yair Dalal
Israeli world music star Yair Dalal spoke to a group of young professionals, students, activists, artists and musicians about his peace work and music as a means of connection between Jews and Arabs in Israel. Following the NIFC-sponsored collaborative concert with Juno-nominated band Jaffa Road and Yair Dalal earlier in the day, NIFC executive director Jay Brodbar facilitated the discussion between Yair and the New Generations group.
Jaffa Road and Yair Dalal
March 2010
The Aguda: Tragedy and Recovery in Israel's LGBT Community
March 9: Montreal
March 10: Ottawa
March 23: Toronto, The Moose Factory Gallery evening
March 24: Toronto, The First Narayever Congregation
March 25: NIFC New Generations evening with Kulanu Toronto, Miles Nadal JCC & Holy Blossom Generation Aleph
Members of the Aguda, Israel's largest and oldest LGBT organization spoke in Canada, relaying not only the story of the shooting tragedy in their youth facilities last summer, but of the amazing achievements of Israel's LGBT community. Chairperson Mike Hamel, volunteeer counsellor and shooting victim Chen Langer, and volunteer counsellor Chen Katz, whose brother, Nir Katz, lost his life in the tragedy, all spoke about the role that the Aguda plays in counselling, educating and advocating for the rights of the LGBT community, and their vision of the future.
For press coverage of the Aguda events, click here.
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.
For press coverage of the ARDC visit to Toronto, click here.
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 experience, 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.
For press coverage of the ARDC visit to Toronto, click here.
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 and 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, 200
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
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.
For press coverage, click here
May 5, 2009
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 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
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
Liberation Seder with 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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