Articles


Canadian-Jewish history made at AGM

Posted On 05/07/04
By: Tribune Staff

TORONTO — The mood was festive as B’nai Brith members, friends and well-wishers gathered for the organization’s annual general meeting on May 2.

In addition to the usual business of an annual general meeting, B’nai Brith was honoured with a coat of arms, and the organization’s Executive Vice President Frank Dimant was doubly honoured with both a familial coat of arms and an honourary degree from Canada Christian College.

In presenting B’nai Brith’s Coat of Arms, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario James Bartleman recognized B’nai Brith for its preeminent role in fighting antisemitism at home and abroad. “It is fitting that yours is the first national Jewish organization to be honoured with a coat of arms,” he said. Outgoing B’nai Brith President Rochelle Wilner said that the recognition “will inspire us to even greater levels of achievement.”

Dr. Charles McVety, President of Canada Christian College, conferred an honourary doctorate on Dimant. “The honourary degree is an earned degree,” said McVety. “It is earned not in the classroom but in the community.” Dimant in turn thanked McVety for the work he does every day in supporting Israel and the Jewish people. “I believe that we will stand together until Messiah comes,” he said.

Toronto’s Chief of Police Julian Fantino and York Region’s Police Chief Armand La Barge received citations from B’nai Brith, and standing ovations from the crowd.

Treasurer David Colodny thanked Wilner for her service not only to the Jewish community, but to all Canadians. “Her dedication to human rights and the Jewish people are unequaled,” he said.

Wilner made it clear that this dedication will not end with her term as president. “We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us to achieve all our goals,” she said. “Today advocacy is very different and far more sophisticated than it used to be. Our voice is a strong one, but the Arab voice is a growing voice.”

“Harold, you are about to undertake what was for me a life-altering experience. You can count on me throughout your term,” Wilner said, addressing incoming president Harold Davis.

Davis’s acceptance speech touched on the strength of B’nai Brith Canada, the dangers of the new antisemitism, the need to support Israel, and the challenges facing Jewish students on campus.

“It is my intention to continue to ensure that the voice of B’nai Brith is a respected and thoughtful voice that will resonate throughout this country and the world,” he said. “To me the most significant function of B’nai Brith is that of advocacy.”

Also installed was the rest of the 2004-2006 Board of Governors: Senior Vice President Gerry Weinstein; Treasurer Amos Sochaczevski; Immediate Past President Rochelle Wilner; Vice Presidents Allan Adel Roy Birnboim, Eric Bissell, Sidney Greenberg, Rose Lax, Shari Ritter, Brian Sidorsky, and Bob Silver; and Members at Large Adam Aptowitzer, Nir Katzour, Naomi Levine, Mike Mograbi, Rob Ritter, Evelyn Schachter, and Abe Silverman.

A number of dignitaries attended to show their support, among them Canada Christian College’s Vice President, Dr. Rondo Thomas, and Ron Morin; Rabbi Baruch Taub of Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto; Chief Herald of Canada Robert Watt; Saguenay Herald Bruce Patterson; Consul General of Israel Ya’acov Brosh; The Hon. Dr. Carolyn Bennett, MP St. Paul’s; The Hon. Monte Kwinter, MPP York Centre; Mayor Michael Di Biase of Vaughn; The Hon. Art Eggleton, MP York Centre; and His Excellency Ambassador Haim Divon of Israel.