CIJA, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, is the new headquarters for strategic advice, expert support, and information for Jewish and pro-Israel advocacy in Canada. It deals with the full range of Jewish communal concerns, as well as Canadian public policy, Canada-Israel relations, university campus safe learning environments, and anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Staff offices in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Winnipeg represent local concerns to the national organization and, combined with offices in Jerusalem convey the supports national can provide to local communities big and small. The Centre has been created and organized to support the Jewish community of Canada as an integrated team.
In fact, the model being rolled out across the country is known as the Winnipeg Model, a tribute to the integrated model of services and efficient approach taken in Winnipeg where the Canadian Jewish Congress mandate, as well as those of the Canada-Israel Committee and University Outreach Committee, were handled by the Community Relations department - as were the needs of the local community.
The Centre has already been put to the test here. Recall the nasty episode of hair-singeing at a local high school, an alleged hate crime, reported nationwide not too long ago. Community Relations Director Shelley Faintuch, who is also the local representative for the Centre, explains that the Centre provided instant supports. “The media relations team ensured that the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg’s message was relayed across the country swiftly and effectively. In turn, we provided the high school with the supports necessary to assist them in their anti-racism education efforts, with materials that were made available through the Centre. This was symbiosis at its finest", says Faintuch.
The Centre’s security expert Doron Horowitz was in Winnipeg in the fall and will be returning to continue his important work here on behalf of the Jewish community. The Centre will also continue to offer expert speakers for both campus and the community at large.Interfaith and inter-community relations remain a top priority at both the local and national levels, which will work in cooperation since national programming derives its strength from local participation. In addition, the Centre will continue to offer briefings and analysis on breaking news both in the Middle East and in Canada.
When communities face challenges, they do not face them alone. And each community brings its own concerns and successes to the national table. For example, Winnipeg happens to be a very tolerant multi-ethnic community with a strong Zionist core. Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel activities on campuses have not been felt as deeply here as elsewhere. Shelley Faintuch meets with university personnel to ensure that students are able to move freely about campus without fear of harassment. The Centre ensures accurate information on Israel is shared with the community and general public, so that Israel can be seen through a multidimensional lens, not just as a country in conflict.
Media awareness is one of the popular workshops offered by Jordan Kerbel, a six year veteran on the national Jewish scene. Since we all read the paper, troll the internet, watch TV, and listen to the radio, we are all keenly interested in how stories are put together. Jordan travels the country, meeting with community volunteers and leaders, to help them understand just that and to help them develop confidence in speaking with the media. We invited him to Winnipeg to advise community leadership and provide workshops about media to our up-and-coming leaders at Gray Academy,Machon Madrichim, and the universities. Evaluations were so positive that both students and adults have asked for more.
There are certain to be bumps along the road. However, in the eyes of this reviewer, the Centre is earning good grades from the students and adults of our community who have been exposed to some of its inner workings.
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