From Eilat, Israel

The previous blog post (and this one) was posted from Eilat, Israel. I (Wayne) am here with my son Emmett and dear friend, and Torontonian who made aliyah a few years back, Howard Paul Linden.


(That's me on the right - with HPL in the Negev desert - taken on Monday.)

Whenever I come to Israel, I'm always grateful and, at the same time, feel guilty, for all the contributions that others have made to make Israel the incredible country that it is. 

Here, as we Para-sail and wake-board and site-see incredible beauty, not far away, thousands of young Israeli's await a ground invasion into Gaza and dozens of Israeli pilots target terrorists and their equipment aimed at civilians (yesterday, a kindergarten was hit with Grad missiles in Be'er Sheva). The only direct evidence of war that we've seen are a few short military convoys carrying tanks south as we drove down to Eilat.

Indeed, we have serious differences with our "leadership" in the diaspora. Though this issue is vitally important for Jews everywhere, including Israel, it pales in comparison with the issues Israelis face daily.

I pray that what needs to be done is done - fast - and with a minimal damage and loss of innocent life.

Wayne (posted from Eilat, Israel)

Why are we here?

In Perkei Avos (Ethics of the Fathers) we are wisely instructed not to separate ourselves from the community. Instead, the rabbis recommend that we deliberately and intensely involve ourselves in the affairs of the community, and it is in that light and spirit that we have established this blog.

Indeed, separating themselves from the community is exactly what our community leadership, i.e., the UJA/Federation of Toronto (UJA) has actually done. They have separated themselves, indeed, sheltered themselves, from you, the community member.

We appear to be responsibly governed. But why are the records of governance (proceedings, minutes of meetings, etc.) unavailable to us all and why is there not one, regular, public forum for the public to raise their concerns and to participate in the affairs that impact them? On the surface, Jewish institutions are democratic with "elected" board members. But have you ever received a ballot? On the surface, there is no corruption, no cronyism, no integrity issues. Yet there is zero transparency or accountability.

We are not as strong as we could be. The UJA is preoccupied with its several infrastructure campaigns, while neglecting those issues that would strengthen the community and its members. If only they valued building Jews more than building edifices, we could:

- create greater good for more people - particularly those who are most in need
- see declining evidence of assimilation
- increase revenues from well-heeled numbers who do not give more than a nominal amount to the UJA's annual campaign
- achieve higher quality, secure schools at less cost - with well paid teachers educating our youth in innovative ways that attract the interest of other sectors
- raise youth who draw pride from their Judaism
- foster an even greater affinity to Israel and Jewish heritage

Having a governing organization that is of the community not only means that none of us are kept separate from the community. It will dramatically widen participation in the decision- making process governed by people who were genuinely elected. Leaders must have the character and conviction to lead and defend their decisions; this is totally absent today. Strong, accountable and accessible leadership combined with plenty of opportunity for members to participate will dramatically improve the quality of the decisions made.

What the UJA needs from you, and, thanks to their governing practices, they get, is tacit approval. It's time that we transform the situation and turn it into active participation where we not only contribute our resources and ourselves, but we demand transparency and accountability as well.

We hope that you will read, comment, act and invite others to do the same.

Wayne J. Levin & Yossi Adler