Following the adoption of a resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel at the University of Regina Students’ Union’s Annual General Meeting of February 8, Emile Scheffel, Vice President External of the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (CFJS), issued the statement below.

Emile also discussed the issue with host John Gormley on News Talk 980 CJME, broadcast across Saskatchewan, in an interview you can listen to here.

“University students, like the majority of Canadians, believe strongly in the cause of peace. It is deeply disappointing that the URSU has chosen to endorse the divisive tactics and hateful rhetoric of the anti-Israel BDS campaign.

“The campaign to boycott Israel is fundamentally anti-dialogue and anti-peace. It forecloses opportunities for students of differing views to engage in constructive discussion, which is what university should be all about.

“To achieve peace, painful compromises will be required of both Israelis and Palestinians. Sadly, this resolution singles out and punishes Israelis, holding the lone democracy in the Middle East entirely responsible for the conflict. The condemnation of Israel, and Israel alone, is particularly bizarre given the upheaval and loss of life occurring at the hands of repressive regimes across the region.

“These are some of the reasons the BDS campaign, despite all its sound and fury, has achieved nothing. International tourism and investment in Israel continue to break new records, making this country a shining example of success in a very tough neighbourhood.

“We hope URSU members will withdraw their support from this failed, discredited effort that only promotes division and resentment.”

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Emile Scheffel

Spokesperson and Vice President External
Canadian Federation of Jewish Students // CFJS

The national voice of Jewish and pro-Israel students.

Mobile: (778) 875-8915
Email: emile@cfjs.ca // media@cfjs.ca

UPDATE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he will address the 2012 AIPAC Policy Conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a central figure in the modern Middle East!

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Help represent the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students at the 2012 AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC!

The annual conference, which runs this year from March 4-6, is the premier global forum for pro-Israel activists and opinion leaders. This year’s confirmed speakers include Israeli President Shimon Peres, Senate Republic Leader Mitch McConnell, Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi, and many other high-profile friends of Israel and the Jewish community.

CFJS is pleased to be sponsoring four emerging student leaders to attend AIPAC at a nominal cost. If you’re a current Canadian university student who would like to join the CFJS delegation, here’s all you have to do:

1. Submit a detailed, 2-3 page proposal for a campus program you will implement before April 21, 2012. The program must advance the mandate of the CFJS in the areas of Jewish student
life or pro-Israel advocacy.

2. Provide your current résumé.

3. Include a brief statement (100-200 words) on why you want to attend the AIPAC Policy
Conference.

Please send all of the above to Emile Scheffel at emile@cfjs.ca by February 15, 2012.

If you are one of the four successful submissions, you will be asked to contribute $250 towards the cost of attending the AIPAC Policy Conference, including registration fee, airfare, and accommodation (a small fraction of the total cost). All participants will be responsible for their own meals and incidental expenses.

We hope to have you with us in Washington!

Mazel Tov! You made it! Across the country we are excited to see the first semester of classes wind down and lead us all into a few weeks of family, friends and most importantly latkes.

With the holiday of Chanukah upon us, it’s important we take into consideration the meaning of the word Chanukah – dedication. (We know you have all been dedicated to your studies for the past few weeks, so you must be familiar with some form of the word by this point.)  Chanukah commemorates the purification and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees. After a courageous battle the Maccabees were able to celebrate the victory of religious freedom and justice and emphasized the importance of the temple as a centre of their beliefs.

The English word dedication can also be defined as devoting oneself to a cause. As students, we can ponder an important question – how are we going to show our dedication?

Today, many of us fight for justice as the Maccabees did many years ago. We fight for justice regarding human rights, equal rights, student rights, each small step helping to create free and just communities. It is important that we show our dedication to our communities in other ways as well-helping senior citizens, giving tzedakah, advocating for Israel, and more.

When we take the time to dedicate ourselves to a cause, whatever it may be that interests us specifically, everyone in the community will benefit. And you never know: your hard work and dedication to a cause may result in a miracle just like the one that the Maccabees experienced.

We want to encourage all of you to take a few days to relax, play a few games of some dreidel, eat lots of latkes, sufganiot and chocolate gelt, celebrate the victory of the Maccabees, fight for justice with your friends and family, and continue to dedicate yourself to a cause close to your heart as the new semester begins.

Wishing you and your families Chag Chanukah Sameach!

Your CFJS Executive.

A CFJS Year in Review

Since the 2011/2012 executive took office, we’ve had some great successes – thanks to the contributions of our Board, our campus leaders, and students across the country. Here are just a few examples:

New York Counter-Durban Conference: CFJS sent two representatives to the We Have a Dream Global Summit – an international gathering of human rights activists and victims of repressive regimes convened in New York City during the infamous “Durban III” commemoration held at the United Nations.

#RHResolution: On the initiative of Social Justice and Jewish identity co-chairs Leora Branfield-Day and Jackie Brown, CFJS launched a Rosh Hashanah Twitter campaign, encouraging community members around the world to share their resolutions for 5772. The campaign saw an incredible response, including participation by Israeli deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon and foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman.

National Initiatives Conference: In mid-November, our student leaders from across Canada gathered in Toronto to plan some very exciting initiatives that we’ll start rolling out in early 2012. The conference was also a great opportunity for student leaders to meet, network, and share experiences that are of value to every campus.

Advising Student Leaders: From PIRG opt-outs to campus political campaigns to countering anti-Israel efforts, CFJS has been working closely with student leaders on many campuses to ensure the interests of Jewish and pro-Israel students are effectively stood up for. Along with our partners at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, we’re always here to help.

On the occasion of Remembrance Day, CFJS Vice President External, Emile Scheffel, issued the following statement:

“Today, Canadians across our country remember the sacrifices of thousands upon thousands of our courageous men and women in uniform.

Jewish students are particularly conscious of the bravery of Canadian troops who helped to liberate Europe in the horrific wake of the Holocaust during World War II. We also take time to contemplate the contributions of the Canadian Forces in our own time, fighting for freedom and justice around the world.

We commit ourselves to appreciating Canadian servicemen and servicewomen not only on Remembrance Day, but every day, and to cherish the rights and freedoms they have given so much to defend.

Lest we forget.”

October 12, 2011

OTTAWA – In response to news that the Israeli government has negotiated the release of 25-year-old soldier Gilad Shalit, imprisoned by the Hamas terrorist group since 2006, Etai Hilzenrat, Israel Affairs Chair of the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (CFJS), issued the following statement:

“Gilad has been imprisoned in Gaza for over five years, since he was 19 years old. Throughout this time, the Hamas terrorist group has denied him contact with his family, the Israeli government, and all international human-rights organizations.

“Jewish and pro-Israel students across Canada are overjoyed by the news of Gilad’s expected release. We are especially happy for his parents, Aviva and Noam, his siblings, Yoel and Hadas, his grandfather Tzvi, and the many Israelis who have come to see Gilad as part of their own family.

“The news of Gilad’s impending release is particularly uplifting at the start of this new Jewish year. The cost to Israel, nonetheless, is immense – the release of 1000 prisoners, many of whom are responsible for killing and terrorizing Israeli civilians. The government of Israel has once again demonstrated its commitment to stand behind each and every Israeli, particularly the soldiers who serve and protect their homeland.

“After far too long, it is truly cause for celebration that Gilad is coming home”.

Contact:

Etai Hilzenrat

Israel Affairs Chair, CFJS

media@cfjs.ca

Vancouver – Following a terror attack in Mogadishu, Somalia that claimed roughly 70 lives – most of them students and parents waiting for scholarships that would allow them to study abroad – Emile Scheffel, Vice President External of the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students (CFJS), issued the following statement:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the dead, and with those who were injured in today’s horrific attacks. We condemn all acts of terrorism, and pledge that the victims of this tragedy will not be forgotten.

“Building a free and democratic society requires educational opportunities and lively debate of ideas – and students are essential to that process. In our world, too many students are every day faced with the threat of persecution and violence. The Canadian Federation of Jewish Students will continue to advocate for the rights of students to learn, grow, and speak their minds in safety.

“We stand in solidarity with Somali and Somali-Canadian students on campuses across this country, and with the millions of Somalis working for peace and freedom in a country that has suffered too long. We share their hopes for a free and peaceful Somalia, and for a bright future for the Canadian Somali community.”

It is that time of year again. As students we have been back at the books and campus
life for a few weeks already, midterms are just around the corner, our calendars
are filled with programs, meetings and events and it seems like summer was so
long ago. But it is also that time of the Jewish year again. As Jewish students, we
are thinking about family traditions, our Grandmother’s amazing cooking, a time of
reflection and forgiveness.

With Rosh HaShanah upon us this is a perfect time to take a step back from the grind
of every day life to reflect upon the year behind us and plan for the year ahead. It
is incredibly easy to get caught up in a busy life of schoolwork, scheduled activities
and so many other responsibilities we must remember that the High Holidays give
us an opportunity to think.

Think about life in general, about your future career plans and aspirations,
personal relationships with family and friends, your involvement in the
Jewish community or the community at large. Think about how you pursued
all of these things this past year and then think about how you would like to
improve or change your actions and goals for this coming year.

Set a goal for yourself or make a resolution and work to attain it in the year to come.
(If you are feeling especially excited about this, see the blog post below-you can
even share your resolution with the CFJS community online!)

Most of all, take a moment to do something different from your day-to-day life.
Celebrate the Yom Tovs with family and friends at synagogue or with a traditional
meal, build traditions of your own with your old and new friends, eat your favourite
sweet food, or watch your favourite Jewish holiday YouTube videos! Let yourself
enjoy the beauty of the high holidays and give yourself a fresh start for your Jewish
year ahead!

Shana Tova U’Metuka! Wishing you all a Good and Sweet New Year!

Staci Silverman, President

Canadian Federation of Jewish Students | CFJS

With Rosh Hashanah fast approaching, now is the time for us to reflect on the past year and make vows for the new year. We recognize that we must remain committed to the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and social justice and strive to create a better world for humanity.

CFJS wants to hear YOUR resolutions for this coming new year! What will you do this year to make an impact on your community? Let us know by tweeting it @CFJS_ca (hashtag: #RHResolution) or by posting it on your facebook for all to see, or email your new year’s resolution to resolutions@cfjs.ca and we will post it for you! We will feature different resolutions each day (excluding High Holiday days) until October 12, 2011 on our website, facebook page and twitter, so that we can all be inspired by each others’ resolutions. Let’s make this year count by inspiring each other, helping others and giving back to our communities!