Scene Around

"Oh Canada, Oh Canada"...

I'm not singing the Canadian anthem. I am a proud American, believe me. But Canada is very special to me.

My maternal grandparents fled to Canada from Ukraine because of rampant anti-Semitism. My mom was born in Montreal, Canada.

With the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra, I performed in Calgary, Canada, at the world famous Calgary Stampede and also had the opportunity, with my spouse, to visit Lake Louise and Banff, truly beautiful places.

Why am I writing about Canada, you ask? Well, I just received the current digest from the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and I pass it along to you:

"As reported by the Jewish Telegraph Agency, Canada's parliament has passed a motion formally condemning the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.

The motion, which passed in a 229-51 vote, notes Canada and Israel's long history of friendship as well as economic and diplomatic relations and calls on the Canadian government to condemn any and all attempts by Canadian organizations, groups or individuals to promote the BDS movement, both here at home and abroad. Introduced by members of the opposition Conservative party, the motion won support from the ruling Liberal party as well.

Canada's foreign affairs minister, speaking in support of the motion, said the world will win nothing for boycotting Israel but depriving itself of the talents of its inventiveness."

Remembering Jewish history...

On July 26th, 1858, following an 11 year debate, Baron Lionel de Rothschild became the first Jew to sit in the British parliament after a new oath of office was agreed upon that did not refer to Christianity.

Since that time, parliament has never been without Jewish members. A Hebrew Bible, used whenever a Jewish member takes an oath, sits in the House of Commons treasury box.

Leave a legacy...

KEN HAUSMAN and his beautiful wife, ESTHER, recently visited Orlando from their home in Concord, Mass.

They actually were here to visit with Ken's lovely mom, ROBERTA HAUSMAN of New Port Richey, but decided to spend the day here in town with Roberta, who is the recent widow of the late Dr. Ronald Hausman.

They enjoyed some of our wonderful sights and hopefully they will visit again soon.

Ken and Esther are the parents of extremely talented children. Son ARI and his bride LAURA are newlyweds. Daughter, HANNAH is currently recuperating at home from an accident.

Ken is owner and creator of HHH VIDEO Corporate Videos, Personal Legacy family videos, which can hold precious memories of parents, grandparents, etc.

You can learn more at http://www.HHHVideo.com.

A Jewish Pavilion mensch...

I just received this email from the Jewish Pavilion and pass it along to you:

"Laughter is always the best medicine, says ILENE MILLER, who entertains seniors as Mabelene the Magician.

Ilene has been volunteering for the Jewish Pavilion for a year. Her delightful costume and warm personality have been a big hit amongst residents and staff at senior facilities.

Our elders are prone to frequent bouts of depression that often leads to a debilitating condition. Theraputic approaches to laughter make all the difference in the world. The joy she brings is contagious.

Special thanks to Ilene Miller for the entertainment she provides older adults in long term care."

One for the road...

Christine and Daniel fall in love and decide to get married-but only on condition that Christine becomes Jewish. So she goes to see Rabbi Levy for some advice.

Rabbi Levy tells her, "You will have to learn how to keep a kosher home, light shabbes candles, keep two sets of crockery and a few other simple things."

"That sounds easy to me, rabbi," says Christine, "I can easily do that."

Then Rabbi Levy says, "The last thing is, you must go to a mikveh."

"A mikveh?" says Christine, "what's that?"

"It's a pool of water," answers Rabbi Levy, "and you must immerse yourself completely for a few seconds."

"I'm sorry, rabbi, but I have a phobia about putting my head underwater. I'll go into the water up to my chin but I won't put my head under the water. Will that be OK?"

"I suppose it will do," replies Rabbi Levy, "you'll be mostly Jewish but you will still have a 'Goyisha kop' (Gentile head)."