Purim miracle in Crimea
Just like the Purim miracle, when fortunes were reversed and the Jewish People subjugated their enemies, we recently saw a Purim-like miracle.
On Feb. 27, U.S. President Barack Obama, in an interview, blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for torpedoing the peace process. Everyone expected that when the Israeli prime minister came to Washington the following Monday, he would receive a very harsh welcome.
But something happened in between. On Feb. 28, Russia invaded Crimea. When Netanyahu met Obama on March 3, the welcome was quite friendly and cordial. Obama now needed support from Congress and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in order to confront Russia, and he could ill afford to offend the Israeli prime minister.
Yoseph Janowski
Thornhill
Purim greetings from the premier
On behalf of the government of Ontario, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to the Jewish community as you celebrate Purim.
Diversity is one of Ontario’s greatest strengths. It is what gives us our character and heart. The Book of Esther speaks to us of the dangers of living in a society where multiculturalism is not valued, and where those with different faiths and traditions are feared and are forced to hide their beliefs. I am proud to be premier of a province where all people, regardless of their backgrounds, languages and histories, seek genuine and mutual understanding of each other’s cultures.
Purim is a time to gather with family and friends to drink, feast, read the Megillah to re-tell this ancient triumph of the Jewish People, and to give mishloach manot and matanot l’evyonim. As you celebrate, please accept my best wishes for a joyous holiday.
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
Creating an activist
I was left shaking my head after reading Miriam Porter’s piece (“My son, the activist,” The CJN, Feb. 27). Nowhere is it more evident what impact we as parents have on the lives and opinions of our children than in the early and formative years. That is when it is incumbent upon us to expose them to all types of food, music, sports, books and cultures, especially if one is fortunate to be able to travel.
But in this instance, Porter is surely creating an activist in her own self-professed image, having brought her son to protests at the age of four, and hanging all 54 articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in his bedroom – what bedtime reading! And vegan at the age of five? Take vitamins, Noah.
I’m sure Noah will go on to “Free the Fishies,” “Save the Dolphins,” “Liberate the Coyotes” and “Preserve the Frogs.” I only hope that he also learns along the way that there are conflicting views and interests in this world, that change comes more often from within and that hardened positions, on whichever side, tend to be ignored and exposed for their failings.
Len Shara
Cote Saint-Luc, Quebec
‘Feed the Deed’ with Ve’ahavta
We set out recently on a nighttime tour that took us no further than downtown Toronto, but in the words of our driver, Amit, it was to a parallel universe, a society of individuals from whom most of us almost instinctively look away. We volunteered to man the Ve’ahavta outreach van that prowls the night streets seeking out and providing food, warm clothing, and much else to the homeless. As owners of a family restaurant that has been in Toronto for more than a century, we thought we would join the Feed the Deed initiative and deliver some of our own hot soup to people downtown.
We were not disappointed with our reception, and, we’re glad to report, neither were they with our soup. It was -15 C, but we took off our gloves again and again to offer a sandwich, a coffee, a pair of clean socks or underwear, a wool hat, gloves and even a couple of sleeping bags.
Since our gloves were off, we had an opportunity to shake a few hands and to pass a few minutes just talking. Each person told a different story, but each one felt the pleasure of being “seen,” and all were grateful for the visit and for the goods. When we got to the vegetarian split-pea soup, we met some skepticism. But by the end of our four-hour run, we’d given away all but the bottom of the pot (which went to our driver, a hero in his own right). Some of our newfound friends came running back to the van for seconds, and even thirds.
Our hats are off to Ve’ahavta. By caring for the homeless, they are taking care of us all, and they invite everybody to lend a hand.
Philip, Ruthie and Nathan Ladovsky
United Bakers Dairy Restaurant, Toronto
Kosher liquor for Purim
I read the article in your paper by Rabbi Saul Emanuel (“Is your booze kosher?” The CJN, Feb. 27). As I enjoy many higher-end tequilas, I have the following comments to make.
Many kosher tequilas do not come with a hechsher on the bottle. There are various reliable lists one can find online, listing many brands and manufacturers that offer 100 per cent pure agave tequila without any additives.
True tequilas do not come with worms in them. It’s a common misconception, but I’d expect the head of our kashrut organization to know better. Only some brands of mezcal (similar to tequila, made in Mexico) come with the worm. Bottoms up!
Phil Lumbroso
Montreal