Spring Renewal

Spring Renewal
Farewell Message from the President
Murray Lukawitz
As I reflect upon my time as president of MAZON Canada I am
reminded that the issue of hunger has always been forefront in my
thoughts. As far back as 1977, I attended a lecture given by
University of Toronto economist Dr. David Foot, who at that time
said the world was producing enough food to feed everyone,
despite our waste and inability to do so. That comment has always
stuck with me.
It was 10 years, ago, however that my friend Alan Burger,
immediate past president of MAZON Canada, asked me to
volunteer and work on Kosherlicious at Roy Thomson Hall. After serving on that committee, then the
board and then the executive, I took my role as president of the organization.
Having been involved with other charities and my synagogue at the time, it was never a forgone
conclusion that I would have directed my efforts here. However, once I became more aware and
close to the issue of hunger, it truly touched my heart. It's the basic staple of what someone should
have in their lives and yet for some it is unreachable.
The answers are never simple, though. The circumstances of hunger are much more complicated then
people unwilling or even unable to support themselves. Much more is involved that we don't see and
that is why we, as an organization, must continue to support those in need of food.
The good news is that organizations like MAZON Canada have helped create a greater awareness of
the problem of hunger even since I joined the organization 10 years ago. Unfortunately there are still no
significant public or private programs in place to help combat the problem. We are a relatively small
organization compared to others and the money we provide may seem small by comparison, which is
why our work is so important.
My hope is that supporters or potential supporters start thinking of hunger and MAZON Canada as part
of their annual charitable contributions. Rather then just putting some money aside once in a while, we
as a community have to help the hungry on a regular basis.
During this time of year, one of the things I think of the most is family. We look forward to seeing our
families and seeing them grow from year to year around the Passover Seder table. My hope is that the
poor and hungry have the same opportunity to watch their families grow and share meals, not just at
Passover but all year round.
It is with a deep appreciation that I thank the very dedicated staff and volunteers of MAZON Canada
for their great work over the years. They truly do a lot with very little. I want to wish everyone a Chag
Kosher V'Sameach and thank everyone for making my time here a truly rewarding experience.
Chag Kosher V'Sameach
Passover Cards
Passover Reflections
by Rabbi Edward Elkin
First Narayever Congregation, Toronto
Order today! See
below for details
A Message from
the Lederman
Foundation President
The Babylonian Talmud records a
fascinating dispute among the ancient
sages in regard to our consumption of
food and drink. The dispute centers
around the biblical injunction of bal
tashchit - "do not destroy" (Deut.20:19) which is understood by the rabbis as an
injunction against wastefulness. Rav Hisda
taught that a person who can eat barley
bread but chooses instead to eat the
richer wheat bread, violates the principle
of bal tashchit. Similarly, Rav Papa taught that a person who can
drink beer, but elects instead to drink wine violates bal tashchit. The
message of Rav Hisda and Rav Papa is that human beings should
consume the minimum amount necessary to sustain themselves. Any
thing more is considered "waste", a needless luxury, and therefore
prohibited.
Interestingly, however, the anonymous narrator in this Talmudic
passage weighs in with an objection. "Neither the opinion of Rav
Hisda nor the opinion of Rav Papa is correct. The injunction to care for
one's body has priority." (Shabbat 140b).
In other words, Judaism does not require those who have the means
to access better food and drink to live as if we do not have the
means to do so.
In contrast to Rav Hisda and Rav Papa, the weight of Jewish tradition is not on
the side of asceticism. God has given us a wonderful, fruitful world filled with all
kinds of delicious food and drink. It is no crime to "take care of" our bodies by
treating ourselves to food and drink that we enjoy. In fact, that is what we are
supposed to do.
Susan Orenstein
Little
It is very difficult to
imagine music, poetry, art,
literature or scientific
But there are two caveats. The first is that not all the things that we
enjoy are in fact good for our bodies. We have to "take care of" our
bodies -- not deprive them as the two sages would have it, nor
overindulge our pleasures in a way that would harm us. Figuring out
that balance is an ongoing challenge, especially for those of us who
live in a time and place when food and drink of all kinds are
abundantly available.
breakthroughs being
created when people's
basic needs are not being
met. There are true
exceptions where
notwithstanding horrible
adversity brilliant artistic
expression has occurred.
We believe it is awfully
hard to do when you are
hungry.
The world is in turmoil.
Many believe that in
Canada essential needs
are all being met. Sadly,
we know that this is not
the case.
The Lederman Foundation
was created to assist in
charitable work, by
providing funds with the
objective of improving the
world we live in.
At the Foundation we try
to do as much as possible
to in some way make our
world a better and kinder
place. So many causes
are worthy.
Feeding and protecting
our fellow man are
amongst the most
important.
So many possibilities exist
when the young and old,
parents and families have
their bodies nourished so
their souls can create and
soar.
Mazon is an organization
that enables this to
happen. The Lederman
Foundation is proud of its
accomplishments, and
proud to be able to help
Mazon assist people to be
The second caveat is that just as we are supposed to take care of our
own bodies, so too are we obligated to ensure that others in our
community are able to take care of their own bodies as well. It's not
just about us and our loved ones. We are obligated to ensure that
everyone in the community has enough food and drink available to
them - both to meet the minimum physical requirements to sustain
themselves, but also to enjoy their food and drink, as those with
greater means are able to do. Everyone in the community is entitled
to access healthy, fresh, and delicious food and drink. We've got a lot
of work to do to reach that standard in our society, but it is our Jewish
obligation to do that work, and to stretch ourselves to be as generous
as we possibly can be towards that end. Let's work together to fulfill
this aspiration.
Corporate Caring
by Daryl Angier
MAZON Canada's vice president Joe Goodbaum gets double the
impact for his donations through his company's matched giving
program
"I think we live in one of the greatest cities in the
world and one of the greatest countries in the
world, a country that truly embraces diversity and
the value of all people," says MAZON Canada's
vice president, Joe Goodbaum. "It's tragic to me
that in a city and country with the wealth that we
have, that we have such a significant segment of
our population that still strives for daily and basic
food security."
Addressing that social imbalance has been a principle motive for
Goodbaum's charitable activities for many years. And these days he
uses the full power of his position as a member of the executive
leadership team at Canadian telecom giant Telus to help in the fight
against hunger in Canada.
In addition to his own personal contributions, Goodbaum seized the
opportunities he was given to make MAZON a top-of-mind charity
among those in his immediate community. While serving as president
of his synagogue-North Toronto's Temple Emanu-El, formerly presided
over by MAZON Canada co-founder Rabbi Arthur BielfeldGoodbaum encouraged temple members to make a contribution to
MAZON (and other charities) when renewing their annual dues. "This
congregation has been very gracious in our annual give," he says.
Goodbaum underlines that seemingly small donations in fact have
very significant impacts for the grassroots charities such as food banks
and Out of the Cold programs that ultimately receive funds from
MAZON, most of which don't have any fundraising capacity of their
own. "When we allocate 5 to $7,000, we're really making a difference.
We can point to those dollars and say that we're helping those
all they can be.
organizations survive."
Susan Orenstein Little
President
Lederman Foundation
And just as he has encouraged private citizens around him to support
MAZON, so too has he encouraged the "corporate citizen" he helps
lead to do the same. In his position as president of retail operations
and senior vice president of Telus, Goodbaum has driven corporate
sponsorship of MAZON's annual Kosherlicious event, while also
smaking use of the company's matched giving program to double
the impact of his own personal contributions to MAZON.
visit
www.mazoncanada.c
a
"I think it's absolutely imperative that corporations give back to the
communities that have been good to them," he explains simply. "You
can't always view it on the basis of a true return on that investment
other than, it's virtuous, it's meaningful, and is, I think, the responsibility
of every successful company on a local and global basis. I feel very
strongly about that and I'm very grateful to be part of a company
where we truly give where we live and it's part of the DNA of virtually
every member of our company."
DONATE NOW
Asparagus Mousse
Recipe courtesy of Ruth Tovim and Andi Yumansky
An elegant springtime starter made with agar agar, a vegetarian
alternative to gelatine. Also known as kanten, it can be found in
Asian or natural food stores.
Ingredients:
* 1 c whipping cream
* 1 lb thick asparagus stalks, peeled if tough-skinned, woody ends
removed,cut into 1" pieces
* 2 c whole milk
* 1 c whipping cream
* 2 T agar agar flakes or powder
* Fresh lemon juice
* White pepper
* Salt
Directions:
* Whip cream and chill
* Boil or steam asparagus until tender
* Add asparagus to milk and blend until smooth
* Add agar agar to milk/asparagus mixture, heating up gently until
agar agar melts
* Allow to cool to lukewarm
* Season mixture with lemon juice, salt, and white pepper to taste
* Fold in whipping cream
* Adjust seasoning
* Pour into prepared dishes
* Chill at least 12 hours
* Garnish with lemon twist
Tip: Serve mousse unmolded on to plates or in tea/coffee cups. If
unmolding, prepare 8 ramekins or moulds by oiling lightly and
placing a disk of parchment paper at the bottom, which should also
be lightly oiled.
Watch our website for an interview with Andi Yumansky of
Conscious Kosher Catering!
SPOTLIGHT ON:
Community Action Resource Centre
MAZON SUPPORTS: Community Dining Program at Davenport Hall
As part of last year's KOSHERLICIOUS events, MAZON Canada
presented the Community Action Resource Centre with a celebratory
cake during their After School Program. Children from the community
were on-hand and eager to take part in both cutting the cake and
sampling it, and board members and staff from MAZON were thrilled
to see the results of your donations making a difference in a priority
community.
The Community Action Resource Centre operates three locations in
Toronto, offering programming for new Canadians, underhoused
adults, children and teens, and women of colour. MAZON is proud to
support their twice-weekly Community Dining Program, which
provides hot, nutritious lunches to hundreds of people each week.
Over the winter months, the program serves over 7,000 hot meals. As
their website explains, "The program is designed to serve homeless,
underhoused, and low income individuals in West Toronto and
provides a nutritious and varied menu that facilitates increased health
and personal well-being while offering the opportunity for social
support that promotes a sense of community." In 2013, MAZON
donated $1,000 towards the program's food costs.
Our Volunteers at La Soiree and
Kosherlicious!
MAZON Canada would like to thank all of our donors, volunteers, and
community friends for supporting our annual fundraising events:
Kosherlicious, held in Toronto on November 19, 2013 and La Soiree,
held in Montreal on November 25, 2013. Guests enjoyed fabulous
entertainment and delicious Kosher food from some of the finest
kosher caterers in Toronto and Montreal, all while supporting MAZON
Canada's efforts to feed the hungry. Have a look of some of these
wonderful photos from the events and we look forward to seeing old
and new faces next year!
ECHOage Kid's Birthday
Parties
With a desire to simplify the birthday
party process and emphasize the
importance of charitable giving to
children, two moms, Debbie Zinman
(past MAZON volunteer) and Alison
Smith, created ECHOage.
The ECHOage concept:
Children choose the birthday gift they want and also choose a
charity to support. Instead of bringing gifts to the child's birthday
party, guests are invited and asked to contribute funds through a
page on the ECHOage website. The funds are distributed evenly
between the gift for the child and the charity. The system makes it
more rewarding for kids and less work for parents. Guests win too
because they receive a tax receipt for donations above $15.
MAZON and ECHOage encourage children to learn the value of
giving to those in need. In enabling children to choose a charity they
feel connected to, an atmosphere of excitement and generosity is
created around the child's birthday; the gift-giving process becomes
truly meaningful. When a child chooses MAZON Canada through
ECHOage, they support the important work of feeding hungry
families. Click here to learn more or to book your party.
ORDER YOURS TODAY!
Toronto: 416-783-7554 info@mazoncanada.ca
Montreal: 514-483-6234 mazonmontreal@bellnet.ca
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have any ideas, suggestions or questions by emailing us at info@mazoncanada.ca
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