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May 31, 2002
Hundreds at townhall
Keynote speaker warns of pervasive anti-Semitism.
JAMIE BONHAM SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
In Daniel Mariaschin's 30 years of working in the Jewish community,
he believes there has never been a more "tenuous and upsetting
a time as that we are living through right now."
Mariashchin, executive vice-president of B'nai B'rith International
and director of B'nai B'rith's Centre for Public Policy, was the
keynote speaker at a townhall meeting held May 21 at Beth Israel
Synagogue. More than 200 people were on hand to hear him encourage
the local Jewish community to support Israel and, in doing so, to
defend Judaism.
Before Mariashchin's address, a short documentary video was shown
that told the story of six Israeli victims of suicide bombing attacks.
The video portrayed the harsh realities faced by the victims and
their struggle to continue their lives despite their injuries and
losses. The video provided a graphic complement to Mariashchin's
talk discussing the dangers faced by Israel.
Mariashchin's speech touched on several different topics, from potential
bias in the media, to anti-Semitic outbreaks in the world and the
homeland defence of Israel. The crux of his speech was that the
only way to combat any perceived wrongdoings against Israel or against
Judaism is to get involved personally.
"It's not just at the organizational level that we engage in
this campaign, but each and every one of us can play an important
role in setting out the facts, in answering the lies," he told
the audience.
Forms were handed out at the beginning of the meeting encouraging
people to sign up for the Israel Action Committee, a committee whose
goal is to aid Israel. As well, a handout indicating 53 ways (in
honor of Israel's 53rd anniversary as a nation) in which a person
could help the state, was given to everyone in attendance. Suggestions
ranged from simply buying Israeli goods to sending money to specific
charities and organizations in Israel.
Mariashchin listed several instances of anti-Semitic events around
the world, and discussed a perceived anti-Israel bias in the United
Nations, where several votes have passed with majority approval
that have castigated Israel for its actions in the Middle East.
He said the line between being anti-Israel and anti-Semitic is becoming
blurred, and mainstream media is starting to accept a more anti-Semitic
tone in its coverage of Jewish events. He said that as the media,
academia, governments and other institutions tolerate a certain
amount of anti-Jewish sentiment, they "prepare people to accept
even higher levels of it."
Mariashchin was met with applause several times during his talk
and fielded questions from the floor after he was done. In response
to a question about the lack of allies for Israel, Mariashchin pointed
out that the attacks on Israel represent an attack on the values
and the way of life of all western democracies and that terrorism
is everyone's problem, not just Israel's. In closing, Mariashchin
ended with a message of hope and inspiration.
"We have fought in earlier battles, and are called again to
fight in this one," he said. "Let us answer the call."
Those interested in joining the Israel Action Committee can call
604-257-5100 or visit the group's Web site at www.iact.ca for more
information.
Jamie Bonham is a freelance writer living in Vancouver.
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