Support for Israel in Toronto

I took this photo on Wednesday during the rally for Israel set up by the UJA.

This gathering was there just to watch a closed circuit TV feed on a movie screen. The main action was taking place next door at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts.

It is estimated that combined there were about 10,000 people. All were there, including what I call the Tefilin Police. These are Chabadniks who aggresively try to get people to put on tefilin. I was one of those aggresively recruited, even though I was happy to volunteer this time around. I have nothing against tefilin. I just find it hard to get into the routine of it. Hats off to those who can.

So as you can see, the event was a huge success. It was announced that $6 million was raised for Israel's north by Toronto's Jewish community as part of its Emergency Fund. FYI if you are feeling generous at this time of need, here's a neat way to donate. You will have to understand hebrew in order to donate for the second one. What it is, it's a drive run by a supermarket chain in Israel and for NIS 70 (about $24), you can sponsor a box of food to a family stuck in a shelter. For NIS 110 (about $38), that box includes baby food. If someone tries it before I do, please let me know if it worked.

On Tuesday night before the rally, I went to Betar's annual event which coincides with the Ze'ev Jabotinsky yahrtzeit. It's been 66 years since Jabotinsky passed on. It's a shame he didn't live to see a Jewish state. Highlight was getting my picture taken with David B. Harris, a counter-terrorism expert. He delivered the keynote address and basically warned everyone that Canada is headed down a dangerous path through relaxed immigration screening and liberal tolerance.

David B. Harris is no lightweight. He lectures politicians and CSIS. His columns and quotes have appeared in numerous newspapers. And just from hearing him speak.. I could tell he was a unique individual. Thank you David for speaking to a predominant Jewish audience.

Here's a photo of myself and another person who is all too familiar with terror:

The man himself. Rudolph Giuliani. I have to say he's a class act in person. This photo was taken on May 30th, 2005. Mr. Giuliani was here to speak to the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre. I was fortunate enough to be a volunteer that night.

Proof that connections can give you photo ops.