May is Jewish Heritage Month in Ontario

The “Jewish Heritage Month Act” (Bill 17) was passed unanimously in the Legislature on February 23, 2012. JHMO provides an opportunity to appreciate and learn about the history and culture of Ontarians of Jewish heritage who have made an impact in communities across the province.

Two of the many events taking place in Mat, include

May 5 at 11am (Est. Walk Time 1.5 hrs)

Jane’s Walk: A Sense of Spadina (Toronto, ON)

Did you know that Kensington Market, the epicenter of Toronto hipsterdom, was once a thriving Jewish village teeming with kosher bakeries, synagogues, and social clubs? Through the Ontario Jewish Archive’s “Sense of Spadina” Walking Tour, the Jewish life of the past—biographies of its former inhabitants; the sounds; the smells; Yiddish language; religious, social, and political attitudes—is brought to life.

And

Tracing Our Jewish Roots: Selections from the Jewish Genealogical Society of Toronto Library Collection

Bathurst Clark Resource Library, 900 Clark Avneue W., Thornhill, ON

JGS Toronto’s Librarian, Elaine Cheskes, is curating a special exhibit on view for the entire month of May at The Bathurst Clark Resource Library.

For more information, go to http://jewishheritagemonth.wordpress.com/2013-events

Ontario Jewish Heritage Month

On February 23, 2012, the Ontario Legislature passed Bill 17, making the month of May Jewish Heritage Month in the province. The Bill, presented yesterday at Queen’s Park by Eglinton-Lawrence MPP Mike Colle, was co-sponsored by Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman and Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo.

The President & CEO of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Ted Sokolsky, and UJA Federation’s Board Chair, Elizabeth Wolfe, issued the following joint statement:

"On behalf of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, we are proud and grateful to the Members of the Ontario Legislature for passing Bill 17, making May Jewish Heritage Month a reality in Ontario. Building - and contributing - to community and to society has always been a top priority for Jews since their arrival in Canada, and this honour recognizes those contributions as we continue to add to the diverse multicultural mosaic that has made Ontario a place envied by many around the world. This announcement will call for an extra celebration at this year’s UJA Walk with Israel, which for 45 years has taken place in May."

It was supported by many leading Jewish organizations in Toronto, along with the National Congress of Italian Canadians–Toronto District, the London Jewish Federation, Ontario Jewish Archives, and the Toronto and Hamilton chapters of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Canada.

Jewish Heritage Month

On November 30th, 2011, M.P.P. Mike Colle, the member from Eglinton-Lawrence, introduced a Private Members’ Bill (Bill 17) in the Ontario Legislature. If it is passed, it will proclaim the month of May as Jewish Heritage Month in Ontario.

As the website says "Jewish Heritage Month is an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the inspirational role that Jewish Canadians have played, and continue to play, in communities across Ontario".

“This bill would create an opportunity for Ontarians of all backgrounds to share and celebrate the long and vibrant history of the Jewish community in Ontario.” says M.P.P. Colle.

The Jewish Heritage Month Act, 2011 is co-sponsored by MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill) and MPP Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park). The bill will come up for debate early in 2012.

If you would like to support Bill 17, please contact your local Member of the Provincial Parliament, or contact Mike Colle, M.P.P. Eglinton-Lawrence, Whitney Block, 99 Wellesley Street West, Room 6521,  

Tel: 416-314-6467. His email is mcolle.mpp@liberal.ola.org

For further information contact: Dustin Cohen, Office of MPP Mike Colle Tel: 416-314-6467. His email ia  dcohen@liberal.ola.org