News

Beth Israel Synagogue Updates

Shul News:

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Member News Articles:

We have many members both young and old who have accomplished much and who have experienced much: unique Jewish experiences in Portugal, volunteering in Israel, volunteering for AIDS in Africa, Honorary Achievement Awards, coordinating the efforts of United Way, much more!!!

This section will grow as their shyness and humility is worn down and we can convince them to tell the world about their accomplishment and offer them some warm fuzzys.

Make a suggestion: recognize congregants' accomplishments whatever they maybe.

Contact: info@bethisraelsynagogue.ca

Details of Shul News:

Beth Israel's New Parking Lot

The parking lot has been completed and the operation has been handed over to the Beth Israel synagogue. The front lot operates on a card access system. The gate is open after 5 pm on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. During the week, the gate is down from Monday to Friday, from 6 am to 5 pm.

The community has five(5) access cards. These are currently with Mark Siegel, who remains custodian of the cards (or should we call him Ace of Gates) and will keep track of where the cards are. If you need regular access during weekdays, Mark will sign you out a card. You can make arrangements directly with him (contact m.siegel@sympatico.ca or 292-8349).

For irregular weekday access, you can also borrow a card from Mark, or you can park on the street. Arrangements are also under way to have some of the members living closer to the synagogue hold a few cards for daytime short-term access. Please watch this space for updates on this.

Please be especially CAUTIOUS when entering or leaving the parking lot.

Beth Israel Hanukkah Party - Note of Thanks

Just a short note to wish everyone a very Happy Hanukkah, and to thank you once again for a terrific simcha on December 4th. We were overwhelmed by your participation as 130 people gathered at the shul in the largest community celebration in recent memory.

Thanks to those individuals and families who cooked latkes and other delicious food, shopped, set up tables and cleaned dishes, played live music and set up games for the children, those who came and enjoyed each other, and the list goes on and on. There was so much joy and laughter.

It takes a real community spirit to put on an event of this magnitude.

Regards Larry

Abraham Festival

For the past five years, Beth Israel has participated in an educational and religious festival commemorating the common foundation of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Local congregations of the three faiths -- Beth Israel, Masjid AI-Salaam Mosque, and St. Alphonsus Catholic Parish engage in dialogue, and join together at religious services to learn, exchange ideas, and reinforce our common heritage. Click link HERE for more recent details and scheduled events.

The Need for Tolerance and the Struggle for Anti-Hate

February 2, 2007. B’nai Brith urges Yahoo GeoCities to remove convicted hatemonger’s racist website. Click HERE to read the communique from B'nai Brith. Individuals can report incidents of online hate, as well as a 24/7 community Anti-Hate Hotline 1-800-892-2624, allowing victims of hate crimes access to support from experts in the field. The website is www.hateontheinternet.com.

On November 21, 2006, Peterborough was very privileged to meet Nate Leipciger a Holocaust survivor who spoke to a high school group in the afternoon and a gathering at Beth Israel in the evening. Nate miraculously survived the Holocaust. He experienced the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Fuenfteichen, Gross Rosen, Flossenberg, Leonberg , Muelldorf am Inn and Ampfing-Waldlager, the last two were sub-camps of Dachau. Nate and his father were liberated by the 3rd US army on May 2, 1945.

Beth Israel Synagogue

Quotes from the Peterborough Examiner summarize what Nate is trying to convey:

'"What was the underlying reason? Only one word and this is hate--hate of the person that is not like you, " he said. "That is why I am here to talk to you, to try and instill the idea that hate kills. You never know when it's going to come to haunt you."

He said that hate must end. "It is not enough to tolerate the person that is not like you...In order to fight hate, you have to accept them for who they are."'

Click HERE to learn more about the Toronto Holocaust Centre, a place Nate co-founded to encourage respect for diversity and prevent acts of discrimination.

On November 7, 2006, as an event of the Holocaust Education Week program at Beth Israel Synagogue in Peterborough, an educator from the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre spoke about "Digital Hate on the Internet". Michael Ettedgui showed examples of web sites that promote anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, white supremacy, ethnic intolerance and terrorism. He talked about strategies used by groups that use the internet to further their causes. And he spoke about legislation and strategies being used to curtail them. Canada is considered to be one of the most progressive countries as far as upholding human rights but also removing 'hate' content such as found on the internet and prosecuting the perpetrators. Mr. Ettedgui warned that educators and parents must be careful in allowing students to do research on-line. Often the 'hate' sites present a facade that students may not be able to intepret at first as containing 'hate' content.

What you can do.

If you come across a Web site which you believe promotes terrorism or hate you are invited to send the URL to: digitalhate@wiesenthal.net which is monitored directly by the Centre's researchers. Law enforcement officials can contact the Centre in Toronto, directly.

Copies of the Digital Terrorism and Hate 2006 report are available free of charge to law enforcement officials, educational institutions and the media, and can be purchased by anyone directly from the SWC online store at: http://www.wiesenthal.com/.

On Sept. 2 2006, a Molotov cocktail was used to cause serious and malicious damage at the Skver-Toldos Orthodox Jewish Boys school in Outremont, Montreal during the early hours of Saturday morning. B'nai Brith makes available a 24/7 community Anti-Hate Hotline at 1-800-892-2624 if any anti-hate activities are expected or discovered in our community.

In April 2004, the President of the Beth Israel Congregation in Peterborough responds to recent acts of the racially motivated firebombings, vandalism and desecrations. See article from Peaceful Communities.ca.

AIDS in Africa Benefit Concert at Beth Israel

April 8, 2006. On behalf of the doctors, nurses and patients at Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe , AASK (Africa AIDS Support of the Kawartha's) would like to thank everyone who supported last weekend's event at the synagogue.There were over 125 people in attendance of all ages. A great time was had by all as they danced the night away to 3 great musical acts. A special thanks to The Indian River Band (with our own Dan Houpt) , The Unionist Ministers, and Micheal Morit.Thanks to everyone's support, the evening raised $2,500, which is a significant sum to a Hospital that constantly runs out of basic supplies that we take for granted in our hospitals. Thanks to all and we look forward to talking more about our work in Zimbabwe. See link to details about AASK's efforts: AASK.

Little Lake Cemetery

In September 2005, a new building was proposed at Little Lake Cemetery near to the Jewish section of the cemetery. Concerns have been expressed by members of Beth Israel about the possible infringement on the physical and spiritual disturbance of the Jewish gravesites. See recent article from CJN.

Trillium Foundation

On Aug. 20th 2005, Beth Israel Synagogue received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/) of over $70,000. The money has been used to make the synagogue fully accessible to members of the community with physical disabilities. The restoration will allow the synagogue to open its doors to community groups that require meeting space and supporting facilities.

The Jewish Community Diversifies (Or Pardes)

In 2005, a new Jewish Congregation is established in Peterborough that includes a regular Chavurah (meeting of friends) to celebrate the Sabbath, holidays, and engage in Torah study. For more information on Or Pardes, contact : Christine McIntyre at 652-7584, or email orpardes@cogeco.net .

Peterborough Flood

On July 15 2004, Peterborough experienced 200 mm of rain in less than 24 hours. Due to the flooding, Beth Israel was seriously damaged at an estimated cost of $60,000. Although no major structural damage was incurred at the synagogue, it was nevertheless closed and remained unusable until restoration of the lower level, comprised of the kitchen, meeting and storage areas. Major contributions and assistance to restore Beth Israel came from many diverse sources, Jewish, Christian, and others.

Unitarian Fellowship and Beth Israel Synagogue

In June of 2004, the Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough became a co-tenant, sharing the Beth Israel facility. The Beth Israel congregation overwhelmingly agreed to the partnership, coming to agreements on issues of timing of religious observances and maintenance of a kosher kitchen. See link: Unitarians.

 

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