North Star with Ellin Bessner

When Sheila Nemtin Levine began painting, she didn't plan to fulfill the final commandment of the Torah: that every Jew should write their own Old Testament. But, since 2016, that's what ended up happening. She has painted 54 vibrant, mixed-media canvases—one for each chapter—each with a modern take on the ancient verses. They comprise her new art exhibit, Tablet Tableaux. Nemtin Levine calls it a journey of exploration, complete with inspirational messages and famous quotes. Audience members are encouraged to physically engage with the works by touching the grains of sand, family photos and architectural blueprints for the Israelites' portable desert tabernacle. Nemtin Levine's work, which has been displayed at several synagogues across Montreal, has recently been used at Jewish high schools for special b'nei mitzvah study modules. The project has also spawned a coffee table book, a free audio guide and a forthcoming documentary video series. On today's episode of North Star, Nemtin Levine shares her story with host Ellin Bessner, who visits the artist in Montreal to see the work in person. Related links Learn more about the Torah Tableaux at the artist Sheila Nemtin Levine’s website. Watch the exhibit's launch in Montreal, on YouTube. Read and explore the free audio guide to the 54 chapters: https://tablettableaux.orpheo.app/#/ Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

The North Star team is taking the day off and will return soon. Please enjoy this recent episode of another podcast from The CJN, Not in Heaven, all about the future of communal Judaism. Over the last century, North American Jews have poured untold millions of dollars into an alphabet soup of legacy institutions: UJA, CIJA, ADL, JNF, et al. And yet, after 19 months of rising antisemitism—while Canadian and American Jewish communities feel like they’re free-falling through a crisis—many have been asking, “What have we been giving all this money for? Where are the results?” To wit, two recent pieces published in the New York Post ask these exact questions. Rachel Sapoznik, an entrepreneur, wrote an opinion piece headlined “Why I’m ending my donations to US Jewish groups and seeking new leadership to protect US Jews,” in which she calls for American Jews to support (mostly Republican) pro-Israel politicians instead of the Anti-Defamation League. Kathryn Wolf, a journalist, wrote a similar piece in the same publication that juxtaposes major organizations’ glitzy galas and celebrity endorsements against a growing wave of grassroots Jewish activism. In Canada, against the backdrop of louder upstart Jewish advocacy groups, the Centre for Israel Jewish Affairs parted ways with former CEO Shimon Koffler Fogel, a diplomatic leader who held the post for nearly 40 years, and replaced him with Noah Shack, who accepted the permanent position on June 27. “We have to be nimble,” Shack told The CJN. “We have to try new things and do whatever we can to win.” But to what extent should the Jewish community pivot away from these legacy organizations, who’ve spent years building goodwill with all levels of government and non-Jewish organizations? Is any support the Jewish community now finds not due to years of quiet, behind-the-scenes bridge-building? Not in Heaven host Avi Finegold has long been critical of Jewish communal organizations—though he might also find himself disagreeing with the most vocal activists vying to replace them. In this week’s episode, we unpack the pros and cons of how far these institutions have taken us, and what comes next. Support The CJN Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to Not in Heaven (Not sure how? Click here)

Although Montrealer Philip Khazzam has never set foot inside his family’s nearly-century old mansion in the Iraqi capitol of Baghdad, he has heard many stories about the lush gardens, fountains, bedrooms to sleep 12, and pool. The residence, built in 1935, was home to his grandparents’ and also to his great-uncle’s families-brothers Ezra and Khedouri Lawee–wealthy Jewish automobile dealers who were pillars of Iraq’s business community. They lived there for over a decade, until growing support for Nazism in Iraq during the Second World War and widespread resentment of Israel in the years afterword made life dangerous for the historic Jewish community. Some 130-thousand Iraqi Jews were forced to give up their citizenship and leave behind all their property, in exchange for a permit to flee the country in 1951-52. The ancestral home, still in the family’s name, was eventually rented out to the French government as an embassy, but 35 years ago, in 1968, a coup eventually brought dictator Saddam Hussein to power. His regime froze the family’s ownership and ordered France to pay the rent directly to Iraq instead. Philip Khazzam has spent years pursuing Iraq for the legal rights to his family’s stolen house. He is also suing the French government for $30 million in back rent. On today’s episode of North Star, The CJN’s flagship news podcast, host Ellin Bessner catches up with Phillip Khazzam to learn why he is continuing this multi-generational fight for his family’s lost patrimony. Related links Philip Khazzam’s uncle Mayer Lawee shows photos and recounts his time living in the family’s now disputed Baghdad mansion, in this interview with Sephardi Voices. Learn more about the 1941 Iraqi pogrom against its Jewish community, in The CJN. Why another Montreal whose family was forced to flee Egypt, tried for years, unsuccessfully, to sue Coca-Cola for stealing their ancestral property in Cairo, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

Rabbi Marat Ressin was concerned when he heard the preliminary Canadian results for the World Zionist Congress elections. The prominent member of Canada’s Russian-speaking Jewish community ran as a candidate for the international organization, dubbed the “Parliament of the Jewish people”, under the United for Israel slate. While the final Canadian numbers aren’t yet public, voter turnout was much lower than Canadian Zionist Federation (CZF) organizers had hoped—approximately 18,000 voters in a country of 400,000 Jews. When he heard that, Rabbi Ressin—who has a PhD in economics—immediately questioned whether it was worthwhile to spend $1 million on marketing, staffing and operating the software for the online voting campaign. For Rabbi Ressin, it hits especially hard, as he believes many Russian-speaking Canadian Jews weren’t able to vote. Voting was online-only, posing a challenge to seniors; payment was tightly restricted; and, critically, the CZF election website was only in English and French. Despite it all, Rabbi Ressin understands that establishing a democratic process had one positive result—it strengthened the community and its ties to Israel. He joins Ellin Bessner on The CJN’s flagship news podcast, North Star, to explain why Canada’s Russian-speaking Jewish community may appeal the results, regardless of the organization’s internal findings. Related links Investigation into irregularities and ‘red flags’ delaying release of final Canadian results in World Zionist Congress election, in The CJN. Hear what’s at stake in the World Zionist Congress elections for Canadian voters, on The CJN North Star. Read more about the election on The Canadian Zionist Federation website. Why The CJN’s Treasure Trove columnist David Matlow urged Canadian Jews to vote in the WZC election. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

Le Château was a fashion fixture across shopping malls in Canada during its heyday in the 1970s and ’80s. Founder Herschel Segal, a Montrealer who recently died, is credited with bringing bell-bottom jeans to the masses—and later helping to launch the David’s Tea brand. Segal is one of the five prominent Canadian Jewish leaders we’ve lost since this spring, and whose larger-than-life achievements left a clear mark on the community. Today, we honour those men and women with another episode of our recurring podcast series, Honourable Menschen. Also in today’s show: Larry Robbins, 94, known affectionately as “Zaidy Larry”, was one of the original founders of Toronto real estate development giant Great Gulf Homes. In his later years, he pivoted from putting up private homes to helping young people develop stronger ties with their Jewish identity. Elly Bollegraaf, of Ottawa, started life as a hidden child in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands, before becoming a scientist and well-known Holocaust educator in Canada. David Attis rose to fame when he took on a notorious Holocaust denier who was a teacher in the school system of Moncton, New Brunswick. And Rabbi Mordechai Feuerstein, 78, spent many years as the spiritual leader of Vancouver’s Orthodox Congregation Schara Tzedeck synagogue, maintaining close ties with the Reform Jews who once shared the building. On today’s episode of Honourable Menschen on North Star (formerly The CJN Daily), host Ellin Bessner is joined by The CJN’s obituary columnist, Heather Ringel, to share their personal encounters with these prominent community members. Related links Read about the life of philanthropist Larry Robbins in The CJN. How Elly Bollegraaf went from hidden Dutch child to Canadian scientist, in The CJN. Rabbi Mordechai Feuerstein of Vancouver built ties between his Orthodox Schara Tzedeck synagogue and local Reform Rabbi Philip Bregman, in The CJN. Why Moncton-native David Attis fought against an infamous Holocaust denier teacher, in The CJN. Herschel Segal came from Montreal garment industry royalty to found Le Chateau stores, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

Michael Levenston has long known about his father’s heroism in the Second World War. But he didn’t know his father dated a Dutch woman there, a nurse, who helped rescue downed Allied pilots—and he had no idea his father had gifted the Resistance member several personal keepsakes, including a battered Canadian flag, his army beret and a radio. The woman kept those artifacts until her death in 2014. Having recently discovered his father’s wartime romantic past when he sorted through old wartime photos and letters, he felt suddenly compelled to repatriate the flag, especially after hearing U.S. President Donald Trump taunt Canada as “the 51st state” and Prime Minister Mark Carney retaliate with the country’s “Elbows up” campaign. Levenston, from his home in Vancouver, contacted the woman’s family, and asked them to try to find the flag. The flag arrived recently back in Canada, in relatively good condition, despite some insect holes and dirt stains, and now Levenston plans to fly it proudly to celebrate Canada Day 2025. On this special Canada Day episode of The CJN’s _North Star _podcast, host Ellin Bessner sits down to hear the full flag story with Michael Levenston—and also calls across the pond to speak with the Dutch ex-girlfriend’s son, Rein Putman Cramer, who lives in Naarden, the Netherlands. Related links Read more about the late Gerald Levenston’s role in accepting the German surrender in May 1945. Watch a video of the late Gerald Levenston describe why he got Canadian troops to rescue hundreds of priceless Van Gogh and Picasso paintings after the Canadian Army liberated the Netherlands from the Germans in 1945. Buy the book about Gerald Levenston’s wartime romance with Ada Hugenholtz, a Dutch nurse in the Resistance. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

As Canadian public schools and universities wind down the 2024-2025 academic year this week, Jewish students can enjoy a desperately needed break from what has, by many accounts, been a difficult year for antisemitism in classrooms and on campuses. In the past school year alone, The CJN has reported on more than 70 stories involving protests, vandalism, harassment, lawsuits, school board policies and other incidents that have occurred since Oct. 7: masked anti-Israel protesters smashed buildings at McGill University; a high school in Ottawa played a pro-Hamas song during the Remembrance Day ceremonies; a professor offered students extra marks for cutting class to join, and write essays about, a pro-Palestinian protest; Jewish teachers and at least one pro-Israel school board trustee have been accused of anti-Palestinian racism. Unsurprisingly, enrolment in private Jewish day schools has been soaring, as worried Jewish parents transfer out of the public system so their kids won’t be bullied—or worse. And the pro- and anti- Israel battle playing out in Canada’s classrooms, school board meetings and most recently during convocation and graduation ceremonies has been impacting Jewish teachers and faculty and students in many ways. On today’s episode of North Star, host Ellin Bessner sits down with The CJN’s education beat reporter, Mitchell Consky, to take stock of the biggest stories of this past academic year and what the upcoming fall semester could look like. Related links Read more about how, if at all, Canadian universities moved to adopt any of the divestment requests of the pro-Palestinian encampments’ students, in The CJN. Learn how Jewish students on campus are publishing their own newspapers because pro-Israel, Zionist views are banned from longtime legacy campus outlets, in The CJN. Hear why the former dean of U of T’s medical school, Arnie Aberman, gave back his honorary degree in protest over campus antisemitism. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

A direct hit by two Iranian missiles on June 15 caused an estimated $500 million worth of damage to the campus of Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science, in Rehovot, Israel. They destroyed a major cancer research building and a chemistry building that was still under construction. Four days later, Iran targeted the area of Beersheba’s Ben-Gurion University campus, directly hitting its teaching hospital, the Soroka Medical Center. A surgical wing was hit, injuring about 70 people, including some patients. The impact also damaged at least half of the university’s 60 buildings. Meanwhile, a new strike just yesterday on June 24 in the city killed four Israelis, when the missile hit an apartment complex, rendering many more university staff homeless. Since 2003, the Canadian fundraising chapters of Weizmann and Ben-Gurion have sent over $320 million in donations to these two universities in Israel. The gifts purchased research equipment, built labs, funded scholarships and in some cases, had buildings or departments named after them, including the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Theoretical Physics at Weizmann and the Azrieli National Centre for Autism at Ben-Gurion. Seeing the scenes of destruction has been heartbreaking for Canadian philanthropists. But after the initial shock of the last weeks, Canadian supporters are now swinging into action, launching emergency fundraising campaigns to rebuild—even, as they say, if it takes years. On today’s episode of North Star, The CJN’s flagship news podcast, host Ellin Bessner checks in with Susan Stern, CEO of Weizmann Canada, and Andrea Freedman, the CEO of Ben-Gurion University Canada. Related links Learn more about Weizmann Institute Canada’s emergency fundraising recovery fund. Find out what Ben-Gurion University’s Canadian branch is doing to raise funds to rebuild labs and classrooms. How some Canadian wings of Israeli-Jewish charities quietly, and not so quietly, launched appeals for funds after hundreds of Iranian missiles targeted the Jewish State since June 13, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

For over a week now, we have been reporting stories about Canadians stranded in Israel since that country launched its pre-emptive attack on Iran on June 13. But slowly, and under the radar for security reasons, The CJN has been speaking to some of the first tourists who found ways to evacuate Israel–mostly without any help from the Canadian government. We couldn’t report their stories until it was safe to do so. But now that many of the Canadians we interviewed last week are either home or well on their way, we can bring you some of their amazing stories–whether it was boarding that all-expenses paid, chartered luxury Israeli cruise ship for a party-filled voyage to Cyprus or taking an anxiety-filled secret bus trip through Israel to Jordan and then a flight to Cairo, and finally on to Europe, all while hiding their Jewishness and the fact they are gay. Leonard Temes is an architect and interior designer from Toronto who came to Israel for on a Pride mission with a Jewish Federations of North America group, but left clandestinely five days ago. He had the added fright of finding himself on the same plane as those extremist pro-Palestinian protesters who tried to participate on the global March on Gaza, but were kicked out of Egypt by local authorities. Meanwhile Philip Lerner, a Thornhill data scientist, came to Israel to volunteer with an Orthodox youth group connected to the AISH movement. Lerner was offered a berth on that Israeli cruise ship chartered by Birthright, via Ashdod to Cyprus. He’s dubbed the overnight voyage “The Jew Cruise”. But Lerner says despite what social media videos you might have seen of the 1,500 Jewish young people dancing and partying on the pool deck, the overall journey was anything but smooth sailing. On today’s episode of The CJN’s North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner speaks with both Leonard Temes and Philip Lerner, about how they got out. Related links Hear why some Canadian young people on subsidized Israel-volunteer programs like Birthright and Olami got out of the country, while those with MASA did not, yet, in The CJN. How a Canadian survived a direct missile hit in Tel Aviv, by praying and channeling Queen Esther, her personal heroine, on The CJN’s North Star podcast. Read more about Philip Lerner and his advocacy for people with autism, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)

In the early hours of Monday, June 16, Alana Ruben Free was sheltering in a friend’s safe room—with her friend, several other women and three cats—when they heard the loudest boom any of them had ever experienced. The six-storey apartment building in a popular Tel Aviv district was one of many that was destroyed or badly damaged by a powerful Iranian missile in the barrage that morning; in this case, the missile exploded in the parking lot directly across the street right smack in the neighbourhood’s central plaza. The playwright and visual artist, who is originally from Fredericton, N.B., does not even live in Tel Aviv, but in Jerusalem. She was spending a weekend visiting friends and family, including several who had come from Canada for the city’s famous Pride parade.and was staying as a guest in a friend’s apartment. We aren’t saying where it was, following the Israeli military’s current censorship protocols. It took Israeli emergency crews a long time to free the four shaken survivors, but except for a cut knee from broken glass, they and their feline friends were fine. Now Ruben Free is crediting her miraculous story to reciting prayers and to reflecting on the story Queen Esther of Persia, her personal Jewish heroine. Alana Ruben Free explains why on today’s episode of The CJN_‘s_ flagship news podcast, North Star. Related links Hear more about how Canadians in Israel are being impacted by the Iranian missiles, on the North Star podcast of The CJN. Learn more about Alana Ruben Free. Read more about Alana Ruben Free’s art show in Israel, in the archives of The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to North Star (Not sure how? Click here)