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Canadian Jews would not have anticipated such a wide scale “Pirsumei Nisa” on Chanukah. Prime Minister, Paul Martin, a friend of Israel and member of the Jewish community decided that his first destination on his election campaign would be the Yeshiva of Tomchei Temimim in Montreal. Broadcasting vehicles of the local television and a busload of journalists filled Westbury Street that was blocked off by the police. "His first stop was in Lubavitch", mentioned Rabbi Simcha Zirkind, who arranged the event with the help of his son, Mendy Zirkind, Shliach to the government in Ottawa - Canada's Capitol.
"What Chanukah represents is the continuous struggle of the Jewish nation to preserve and observe Judaism freely", said the Prime Minister in his speech, while denouncing the contemptuous graffiti sprayed on the wall of local Shul this week. The Prime Minister was honored with lighting the Shamash and he received, as a gift, yarmulkes with his name embroidered on it and was blessed by the Rabbis and Dayans of the city and the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kaplan. Jewish Justice Minister of Canada, Irwin Kotler told the crowd that he Davens on a regular basis in the central Chabad Shul in Montreal. "Since I am on the first year of 'Aveilus' after my mother, OBM, I know that I could always find a Minyan in the Lubavitcher Shul", he said. The prime minister stayed to hear the traditional singing of “Haneiros Halalu” by Anash and the Yeshiva Bochurim that were present.
Prime Minister of Canada Celebrates Chanukah with Chabad
Click Here to watch a Newscast of this event!
Canadian Jews would not have anticipated such a wide scale “Pirsumei Nisa” on Chanukah. Prime Minister, Paul Martin, a friend of Israel and member of the Jewish community decided that his first destination on his election campaign would be the Yeshiva of Tomchei Temimim in Montreal. Broadcasting vehicles of the local television and a busload of journalists filled Westbury Street that was blocked off by the police. “His first stop was in Lubavitch”, mentioned Rabbi Simcha Zirkind, who arranged the event with the help of his son, Mendy Zirkind, Shliach to the government in Ottawa – Canada’s Capitol.
“What Chanukah represents is the continuous struggle of the Jewish nation to preserve and observe Judaism freely”, said the Prime Minister in his speech, while denouncing the contemptuous graffiti sprayed on the wall of local Shul this week. The Prime Minister was honored with lighting the Shamash and he received, as a gift, yarmulkes with his name embroidered on it and was blessed by the Rabbis and Dayans of the city and the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kaplan. Jewish Justice Minister of Canada, Irwin Kotler told the crowd that he Davens on a regular basis in the central Chabad Shul in Montreal. “Since I am on the first year of ‘Aveilus’ after my mother, OBM, I know that I could always find a Minyan in the Lubavitcher Shul”, he said. The prime minister stayed to hear the traditional singing of “Haneiros Halalu” by Anash and the Yeshiva Bochurim that were present.
HAHA
Wow…as a former Montreal yeshiva’nik.
Good on you Rabbi K., and Simcha you look just gorgeous!
Esther M.
I think this is amazing!!!
Paul Martin is going to get so many more votes now. And i think that this was an incredible kiddush hashem for not only the lubavitch community, but all Jewish people as well. My father was there along with my brother, and they both came back amazed that the Prime Minister was actually there lighting the menorah. I want to say a big yasher koach to Rabbi. Kaplan, Rabbi Zirkind and all the ppeople that were there.
Charles F.
I beleive a Kiddush Hashem / Pirsumei Nissa has been made. However, i think it was slightly inappropriate being that he represents a party advocating the legalisation of gay marriage and has a party history of consistently voting against Israel in the UN. Being that this chanukkah menorah lighting was also a campaign stop and that he may actually garner votes from this event i think it was counte-productive.
ashamed to be a montrealer
I dont know why it is that everyone is joyfully applauding the actions of a person who first of all is not a shliach. has no respect for the head shliach in montreal, or any of the shluchim in the city. i am shocked that so many disguised rabbis attended this event knowing who this organiser is and who the people he invited are. a whole bunch of sheeplee… open your eyes. why do u invite haters of the rebbe and lubavitch into your community. are all these ‘distinguished’ rabbis not aware who rabbi poupko is? what irwin colter did? it was a great shame on all those who attended the event. how can u invited to tomchei temimim,one rabbi who is in an open war against lubavitch accusing them of being anti-israel and speaking out against the rebbe (the mc), another guy who is responsinle for gay marriage in canada (honored guest) and the prime ministre who is absolutly no friend of israel. what a shame on the community for hosting such an event!!
Zushe Z.
It’s important to focus on the "Inyan" itself. Stop looking for reasons and side issues. It was abig Kiddush Hashem and Yasher Koach to all who arranged it. For those that are looking for Machloikes, and like to create problems, look in other directions. Argue with yourself and don’t bother others – especially those doing good things!!!
fhjk
Zushe .Z
………..those doing good things………huh?
Still Ashamed...
Zushe Z. – Its easy to disregard the facts thats I mentionned, by accusing me of someone who is looking for machlokes. Its a nice way to silence a valid argument.
Its interesting that you did not choose to defend the organiser or the choice of guests, but rather to disregard me as a negative person who is looking for machlokes.
It couldnt be further from the truth.
I am a young kid and I happen to see through this false demonstration of a so called ‘"kiddush lubavitch".
It leaves me wondering strongly, why is it that the so called leaders of the community are so blind to this?? They know this guy all his life. How he disrespects EVERYONE in the community and does things that are not kosher at all. Why is it that they chose to give such a person control of a "community event" because he has the shmear power to ogranise it?
Do you think that the youth of the community is stupid and cant see through this big sham.
Explain this to me, because it totally boggles my mind.
I am sure there are many many people who agree with me. Anyone person who thinks for themselves, and knows who these people are, will agree with me.
Why is it that the end (what you can ‘the inyan itself’) justifies the means, no matter what you do to get there?