I love Canada...

Probably because my late mom, Sally Golub, was born in Montreal. Also, because I had the privilege of performing at the Calgary Stampede years ago when I was vocalist with the legendary Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. I've never been to eastern Canada, but Montreal is on my "Bucket List." However, Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise in western Canada were beautiful places to be and I have great memories.

I read about Canada recently in a World Jewish Congress (WJC) digest. I pass it along to you:

Prime Minister STEPHEN HARPER received the King David Award at an event hosted by the Jewish Community Council of Montreal. Harper was cited for his principled support of Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

In accepting the award, the Prime Minister heralded Canada's Jewish community for its 'tremendous contributions to every aspect of society across our great country.' He assured the more than 600 guests that 'our government will continue to promote religious freedom in Canada and abroad and take action against terrorists and extremists seeking to extinguish this fundamental Canadian value.'

Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, WJC President Ambassador RONALD S. LAUDER offered words of praise and appreciation. 'Allow me to take this opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for standing with Israel. Thank you for standing with the Jewish people, and thank you for staying on the right side of history.

Don't get too comfortable...

I received this letter from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and pass a portion of it along:

"While Jews in the U.S. hold positions of prestige and power that would have been unimaginable a century ago, we still are not free from anti-Semitism. It is surging in Europe and rampant on the internet.

While Israel is strong and thriving, a growing movement on college campuses here and in major capitals abroad is working to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state. And while you and I may feel relatively safe here in America, the unease of the rest of the world and the ever-increasing threat from extremism cannot be ignored.

With so much division and danger in the world, ADL needs to be a strong presence and a visible force against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate and injustice. We must continue to modernize our ability to confront the new, high-tech ways in which hate is spread and violence is triggered."

(I am truly grateful to ADL and organizations like it for keeping "an eye out" for us.)

A joyous homecoming...

I received this letter recently from JANET WARREN. She was truly excited with good reason! Read on:

"SALLY STEELE, daughter of Janet Warren of Casselberry, visited during the month of September. (Sorry I couldn't get this into the column sooner, Janet.)

Sally hasn't been to Florida in 10 years as she resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Janet often travels to Vegas to take a vacation, but Sally is always hard at work. She is the editor/publisher of the Vegas Rocks Magazine, a monthly publication, which in 2014 celebrated 10 years of circulation. Sally also holds an awards show every year for Rock and Roll talent and headliners at various casinos. In 2014, WES CAGE, performed and his father, famous actor, NICHOLAS CAGE was there to enjoy the show.

Sally and Janet looked forward to Sally's coming home and even made arrangements for a vacation together while she was here.

(I hope the visit was wonderful and filled with happy memories.)

There is hope...

My good friend, LAURA KERBEN LABODA told me about this very important upcoming event that is free and open to the public:

Many Jews hold the misconception that the Holocaust destroyed all records of European Jewry. 

Members of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Orlando know better. In the last 10 years much previously unknown information has become accessible thanks to dedicated genealogists. 

HAL BOOKBINDER, a prominent Jewish genealogist from Los Angeles will be making a presentation at the Roth JCC in Maitland on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 pm. Hal's expertise in locating lost relatives is legendary. He has identified 4000 relatives in 26 states and eight countries. 

If you ever wondered if you have lost mischpuche, please come. Admission is free and remember to bring a photo ID. Any questions please contact 4079287439.

More about the Holocaust...

A wonderful and talented writer, JAY WINIK, just completed a magnificent book titled "1944" about World War ll, the Nazis, the Holocaust and anti-Semitism, and about President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)

It is available now at most bookstores and online at http://www.Amazon.com.

(I highly recommend it.)

A special reminder...

(Special because I am reminding myself!)

On Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Congregation Ohev Shalom Ballroom, 613 Concourse Parkway South, Maitland, the COS Seniors will gather for their monthly meeting/social event, under the direction of president BERNY RAFF.

I will be singing and so will my cousin EDDIE VAZZ.

We will be accompanied by the fabulous SYL LAFATA on clarinet, the fabulous MICHAEL KRAMER on piano and the fabulous BEN KRAMER on bass. (Cousin Eddie is also fabulous. Me? Not so much!)

No reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be served...yum!

The cost of the event is $5, COS Senior members; $8, all others.

For further information, contact Berny at 407-767-6763.

One for the road...

Avrom is a youngster known for his total lack of religious study, so when his bar mitzvah day arrives, Rabbi Bloom is not about to let this go without comment. Avrom performs his bar mitzvah as best he can with his minimal preparation and when it comes time to receive his presents, Avrom gets what most bar mitzvah boys are given: a daily prayer book, a set of Jewish Festivals prayer books, a kiddush cup from the congregation's ladies guild, an encyclopedia titled "The History of the Jewish People from Bible Times to the Present," and a Bible (old testament). 

Rabbi Bloom then addresses the bar mitzvah boy, "My dear Avrom. You have received today a number of treasures of Judaism in book form that will surely enrich your life and make it holy in the eyes of God. I also have a gift for you." 

With that, Rabbi Bloom pulls out an umbrella from behind the lectern and says to Avrom, "I present you with this umbrella because I want to give you something that at least I know for certain you will open."