As large as the Jewish community in Toronto is, it can be really hard to find a place to go for passover if you are a student living away from home.  Hillel does it’s best to match up students with other students or with families in the area.  If you want to volunteer a place at your seder table, or you are looking for somewhere to go, email hanna.cohen@hilleltoronto.

The introductory video at Ricoh Coliseum last night set the mood for the evening’s festivities. It outlines the creation of Israel, its accomplishments and its challenges.

In case you missed the event or would like to see the video again, here it is;

The media covered last night’s event as well.

The National Post and the Toronto Star reported on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s speech at the event.

The National Post

The National Post has numerous articles commemorating Israel’s 60th year of independence.

Articles consist of 10 Canadians who have made a difference in Israel, Canada strengthening its links with Israel and Snapshots from today’s Israel, just to name a few.

Take a look at all of the Israel @60 articles at the Post’s Israel at 60 page.

San Diego

UJC in San Diego put together this video for Israel’s 60th anniversary.

Israel

There is no doubt that we are having big celebrations in Toronto for Israel’s 60th year of independence, but they do not compare to those taking place in Israel.

Outside of Jerusalem, in a field in the Latrun area, is a huge flag recently laid out for upcoming celebrations.

“The flag was layed out by 40 volunteers and members of the Parks and Nature Department.  It is 100 metres by 200 metres and weights 5.2 tonnes.  Check out the white bus in teh corner to get an idea as to the size of the flag…” – Israel’s new blog magazine.

An ABC News Report covered this story;

Israeli’s

Here is a video filmed around the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv asking Israeli’s if they knew that Jewish people in North America celebrate Israel’s independce.

Take a look.

It is a similar concept to Rick Mercer’s Talking to Americans.

What do you think of this video?

Celebrate Israel @60 with Hillel.

See “Come Celebrate Israel @60!!!!” post for more information; http://hogt.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/come-celebrate-israel-60/.

Today marks Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day to remember the Holocaust and extermination of millions of people thoughout Nazi Europe. In Israel, this is amongst the most scared days of the year.  Ceremonies take place across the country and the rest of the world to remember the fallen and remind us of the horrific tragedy that happened not too long ago. 

This photo is taken under the famous Aushwitz sign, translated in English as “work will set you free.”

A ceremony last night at Earl Bales Park in Toronto marked the start of this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.  A heartwarming presence accompanied the ceremony because of its honouring survivors’ accomplishments.  Speakers included David J. Azrieli, Moshe Ben Zvi and Amir Gissin. 

In Israel, the Knesset (parliament) annually holds a ceremony commemorating this day.  This year;

“President Peres – who recited the names of his grandparents – took a moment to speak of his memory of them: “When we said goodbye in the train station, before I left to come to Israel, they gave me just two words – ‘be Jewish.’”

 Prime Minister Ehud Olmert read the names of his wife’s family, who were lost to the Holocaust. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni honored the women who were killed while fighting the Nazis and Defense Minister Ehud Barak recited names of members of his mother’s family.” – Ynetnews 

Plans were announced in Israel to erect its first monument honouring the tens of thousands homosexual Holocaust victims in a Tel Aviv park.

It is up to us to remember the Holocaust and never let such a tragedy happen to mankind again.

If you aren’t aware, Israel’s 60th Anniversary is Thursday, May 8!!!

We have a lot planned to celebrate and want you to come!

Here are our plans…come to one or all of the events!

1) Atzmaut 60 – Israel Celebrates 60 Years of Independence with DJ YAHEL and MARK S1
- May 7 @10PM
- Guvernment – 132 Queens Quay East, Toronto

Advance Tickets $15, At the Door $20.
For info call 416-877-5919
Tickets can also be bought at Toronto Hillels (cash only)
Tickets include free access to the pre-fair  in Heritage Court of the Israel @60 community celebration at Ricoh Coliseum.

2) Israel @60 Tail Gate Party & BBQ
- May 8 @ 12PM-3:30PM
- Earl Bales Park (Picnic Area 3)
BBQ ($5 for food, refreshments and snacks)
Henna Tattoos, Drums, Celebrate and Relax with free Yoga
- Party will be moved to the Wolfond Centre (36 Harbord Street at the corner of Spadina) if raining.
Contact Rebecca Woods Baum for more information at Rebecca.Woodsbaum@hilleltoronto.org

There will be a chartered bus available from Earl Bales to Ricoh Coliseum, $2 for return trip

Hillel EXCLUSIVE deal!!!!!!
$16 for Tailgate food, ticket for Israel @60 community event with Hadag Nachash and roundtrip bus ride (leaving Earl Bales at 6PM).  See purchasing details below…

3) Party Like It’s 1948: Celebrate Israel @60
- May 8
- Ricoh Coliseum

4:30PM: Israel @60 Family Festival
- Located in Heritage Court next to Ricoh Coliseum.  Enjoy a fun filled afternoon of blowup rides, acrobats adn much more!
Tickets: $5 can be purchased at the door cannot be used for the evening program.

7:30PM: Ivan Reitman at Ricoh for a night of entertainment
Performances by:
Hadag Nachash - Israeli HipHop band
Nina Gershman and Alexander Utkin – dancers from The Israel Ballet
Music of the IDF Ensemble
Special performance by Renanim Youth Singers wtih Kol Neshama
and the Toronto Jewish Day Schools Joint Choir

Tickets: $10-$75 includes free admission to Festival
available through Ticketmaster
- 416-870-8000
- www.ticketmaster.ca
- all TicketMaster outlets

Exclusive Hillel Student deal ONLY
- $75 tickets available to a limited number of Hillel students for only $13…see purchasing details below.

Special deals are only available at Hillel locations through Hanna (Wolfond Centre – 416-913-2424, hanna@hilleltoronto.org) or Wendy (York – 416-736-5178, wendy.newman@hilleltoronto.org).  Tickets can be purchased with credit card, but MUST be picked up at Hillel.  There will be no will call for them at Ricoh.

Check out this video of the “Sticker Song” by Hadag Nachash

The seders are over, leaving many of us waiting for the “day after” Passover when we are able to eat anything other than matza again!

Did you decide to buy as much matza as possible to get through the eight-day holiday, only to realize you  have boxes leftover?

You don’t want to waste your money by throwing it out. 

You don’t want to eat it after the eighth day…so what do you do?

Here is a music video with twenty creative suggestions for what to do with your leftover matza;

It’s that time of year again….spring cleaning, exams, the sun shining and Passover!

We have put together a list of families opening their homes to students for Passover meals all across Toronto and all different backgrounds.

Do not hesitate to contact any of your Hillel staff for their contact information or to add yourself to the list.

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