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The article mentioned Mclean as a co-chairperson of the VSA with two others. Rosensweig wrote that the VSA was an idea originally thought up by a recovering addict and sex worker who won a Ve'ahavta creative writing contest. Rosensweig, serving as co-founder of Ve'ahavta, was approached by this individual, Theresa Schrader, looking for a summer job. Schrader and Rosensweig were planning the Ve'ahavta Street Academy with Schrader's idea of creating a scholastic institute, and George Brown College became a partner in the endeavor. At the time of the article Schrader was credited for bringing together the team of teachers, including the VP of Academics for GBC. There was also mention of the hope of franchising the idea. The VSA today is an educational institution in Toronto.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />
The article mentioned Mclean as a co-chairperson of the VSA with two others. Rosensweig wrote that the VSA was an idea originally thought up by a recovering addict and sex worker who won a Ve'ahavta creative writing contest. Rosensweig, serving as co-founder of Ve'ahavta, was approached by this individual, Theresa Schrader, looking for a summer job. Schrader and Rosensweig were planning the Ve'ahavta Street Academy with Schrader's idea of creating a scholastic institute, and George Brown College became a partner in the endeavor. At the time of the article Schrader was credited for bringing together the team of teachers, including the VP of Academics for GBC. There was also mention of the hope of franchising the idea. The VSA today is an educational institution in Toronto.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />


in 2009 a Roma family from Budapest, Hungary arrived in Canada after being brutally attacked by neo-Nazis. The Pusuma family, after hearing a car on the property, were beaten with bats in their yard. The father surrounded and protected their 15-month old daughter from the blows. The article written in 2014 took place five years after their arrival in Canada. The family had been in hiding the entire time, so that they would not be picked up and sent back to Hungary. The article called for more [[Righteous Gentile|Righteous Gentiles]] to take action to help prevent this family from being deported. The article written by Rosensweig was published in the Canadian Jewish News in hopes to get support for the endangered family. "Many Righteous Gentiles saved us. Now is our chance to repay them," Resensweig wrote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2014 |title=Repaying the Righteous Gentile |url=https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/opinions/repaying-righteous-gentile/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=The Canadian Jewish News |language=en-US}}</ref>
in 2009 a [[Romani|Roma]] family from [[Budapest, Hungary]] arrived in Canada after being brutally attacked by neo-Nazis. The Pusuma family, after hearing a car on the property, were beaten with bats in their yard. The father surrounded and protected their 15-month old daughter from the blows. The article written in 2014 took place five years after their arrival in Canada. The family had been in hiding the entire time, so that they would not be picked up and sent back to Hungary. The article called for more [[Righteous Gentile|Righteous Gentiles]] to take action to help prevent this family from being deported. The article written by Rosensweig was published in the Canadian Jewish News in hopes to get support for the endangered family. "Many Righteous Gentiles saved us. Now is our chance to repay them," Resensweig wrote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2014 |title=Repaying the Righteous Gentile |url=https://thecjn.ca/perspectives/opinions/repaying-righteous-gentile/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=The Canadian Jewish News |language=en-US}}</ref>


==== Working Against Antisemitism ====
==== Working against antisemitism ====
in March of 2009, Rosensweig wrote an article on Haaretz news, pleading Jewish people worldwide to stand up to antisemitism by approaching community leaders. Rosensweig reported on the rise of antisemitism in his home country of Canada. This came at a time when Israeli academics were barred form lecturing in universities in Ontario. Rosensweig stated that after years of large sums of spent on Holocaust education, and after six-million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, Rosensweig still did not see any type of action taken against antisemitism at the time, and he called upon the Jewish community to rally leaders to "mobilize a plan." He further pointed out that in history, Jewish communities have never been ready for the fight to curb antisemitism. He shared it was now time to "tap into the available philanthropic funds and know-how that has been built up in every major metropolitan centre in the world, to create a fundraising campaign that will underwrite this plan. Despite recent financial woes and the fifty billion actions of a destructive member of our community, funds are still available and a Community Mobilization emergency campaign will prove that."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosensweig |first=Avrum |date=March 16, 2009 |title=JEWISH WORLD A Plea to Jews Everywhere, Unprepared to Fight anti-Semitism |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2009-03-16/ty-article/jewish-world-a-plea-to-jews-everywhere-unprepared-to-fight-anti-semitism/0000017f-e59e-df5f-a17f-ffde53f70000 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=Haaretz}}</ref>
in March of 2009, Rosensweig wrote an article for ''Haaretz'', pleading Jewish people worldwide to stand up to antisemitism by approaching community leaders. Rosensweig reported on the rise of antisemitism in his home country of Canada. This came at a time when Israeli academics were barred form lecturing in universities in Ontario. Rosensweig stated that after years of large sums of spent on Holocaust education, and after six-million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, Rosensweig still did not see any type of action taken against antisemitism at the time, and he called upon the Jewish community to rally leaders to "mobilize a plan." He further pointed out that in history, Jewish communities have never been ready for the fight to curb antisemitism. He shared it was now time to "tap into the available philanthropic funds and know-how that has been built up in every major metropolitan centre in the world, to create a fundraising campaign that will underwrite this plan. Despite recent financial woes and the fifty billion actions of a destructive member of our community, funds are still available and a Community Mobilization emergency campaign will prove that."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosensweig |first=Avrum |date=March 16, 2009 |title=JEWISH WORLD A Plea to Jews Everywhere, Unprepared to Fight anti-Semitism |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2009-03-16/ty-article/jewish-world-a-plea-to-jews-everywhere-unprepared-to-fight-anti-semitism/0000017f-e59e-df5f-a17f-ffde53f70000 |access-date=November 6, 2024 |work=Haaretz}}</ref>


== Radio ==
== Radio ==

Revision as of 09:29, 8 November 2024

Rosensweig Leading Community Passover Seder at Habonim (2014)

Avrum Rosensweig is the founding director and CEO of Ve'ahavta, a Canadian Jewish non-profit humanitarian and relief organization. Rosensweig co-founded Ve'ahavta (Hebrew for 'and you should love') with Stephen Epstein, with a mission to encourage all Jews, and all peoples, to play a role in tikkun olam, 'repairing the world'. In 2016, Avrum stepped down as CEO and took on the position of founder and ambassador, speaking and fundraising in support of Ve'ahavta.[1][2]

Early Life

Rosensweig was born in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1960, the only son of Rabbi Phyvle (Philip) Rosensweig (1928–1989)[3] and Gitel Rosensweig (née Flicht) (1930–2016).[4] Rabbi Phillip Rosensweig came from a family of Orthodox Rabbis that emigrated to Canada during the turn of the last century. In his younger years, Rabbi Rosensweig was active in helping Jewish refugees from Europe flee persecution to come to Canada. Some of Gitel Rosensweig's family were Polish Jews from Wierzbnik (after 1952 called Starachowice), Poland, who were murdered in the Holocaust.[citation needed]

Avrum Rosensweig received an Orthodox Jewish education at Ner Israel Yeshiva in Toronto[5] and later on in Jerusalem, Israel, followed by the study of journalism at Ryerson University. From 1990 to 1996, he worked for Toronto's United Jewish Appeal (UJA) campaign. During the 1994 Rwandan civil war, he convinced UJA in Toronto to launch efforts to help refugees fleeing the war-torn region.[6]

From 2005 to 2015, he served as associate Religious Leader at Congregation Habonim Toronto.[citation needed]

Rosensweig with children at Community Passover Seder at Habonim (2014)

Ve'ahavta

In 1996, he co-founded Ve'ahavta with Stephen Epstein. The NGO is Canada's only Jewish humanitarian and relief organization. Ve'ahavta has launched numerous initiatives in Canada and around the world.[7][8]

Rosensweig at a Hurricane Katrina Benefit

In its first 15 years of operations, Ve'ahavta operated around the world assisting locals through medical care. Ve'ahavta medical teams set up clinics in Guyana and in Zimbabwe and responded to natural disasters in Turkey, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Honduras and other places. Ve'ahavta also launched local programs for those experiencing homelessness and poverty, including the Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless, a nightly van program whereby volunteers travel the streets of Toronto to assist those living on the street; the Ve'ahavta Street Academy, a school for the homeless or near homeless; and the Creative Writing Contest for the Homeless. Ve'ahavta has also operated homework clubs and photography contests.[9][2][10]

Other areas of operation have included the Caribbean, in Thailand (after a tsunami) and the Philippines (after a hurricane), and advocating awareness about the genocide in Darfur.[11] Locally, Rosensweig has initiated several programs for the disadvantaged in Toronto: Passover Seder for the Homeless (co-sponsored by Toronto's Congregation Habonim), Creative Writing Contest for the Homeless, and Homework Partnership Program for Somalian Children.[12]

Rosensweig Presenting Plaque to Chief Rodney Monague, of Christian Island, Survivor of Residential Schools (2009)

Ve'ahavta hosts a gala fundraising event each year, honouring Canadians of all backgrounds for their work in social, humanitarian, medical and educational fields. Honourees have included: Moshe Hammer, Dr. Naomi Azrieli, Dr. Michael Dan, Irwin Cotler, Karen Levine, and Adam Hummel.[2]

Written Contributions

Rosensweig was a contributor to the Huffington Post, Haaretz, Canadian Jewish News, and Congregation Habonim Toronto's bulletin, where he contributed sermons and articles.[13][14] [15]In an article written about Eli Rubenstein's film titled "Blind Love: A Holocaust Journey to Poland with Man's Best Friend," Rosensweig interviewed Rubenstein, the National Director of March of the Living Canada since 1989, about the film itself and where the idea came for its creation. Rosensweig described the film as "truly eye-opening" and wrote, "One often wonders how visually impaired people 'see' the world and what conclusions they draw through touch. 'Blind Love' lets us into their vision of life when we see participants led by their guide dogs through the massive Warsaw Jewish cemetery, stopping to trace their hands across the inscriptions of the tombstones so they can decipher the writing. Similarly, we watch as the blind participants feel the wooden bunks in the former Auschwitz barracks and the metal grate around the gas chambers where so many suffered and perished."[14]

The film is the story of six [blind] Israelis and their guide dogs on a pilgrimage through Poland, visiting former sites of Nazi genocide and once thriving site of Jewish life. The film aired on CBC's Documentary Channel.[16]

Canadian Residential School Atrocities

In the early days of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Rosensweig wrote an article titled, "With Glowing Hearts? Coming to Terms with Our Dark Past," using a line from the Canadian national anthem. Rosensweig described understanding how modern day Germany might feel, knowing its own dark past. He wrote, "As a Canadian, as a Jew, I'm sickened to share with you that in 1928, Alberta's Sexual Sterilization Act was passed, allowing students of a residential school to be sterilized with the principal's approval. At least 3,500 young native females were sterilized this way. Knowing this, I can understand the feelings of young Germans today when dealing with aspects of their country's past."[13]

Rosensweig stated that Canada, with its many accomplishments, changes, inventions, and progressions take great pride in speaking of the positives and celebrating them, but generally doesn't speak about the days when Canadian antisemitism was high on the list of its beliefs. Rosensweig's article described the Canadian residential schools and the many aboriginal children that perished in attendance there. The article takes one line at-a-time form the Canadian National Anthem and then describes atrocities committed before moving the next line:

"[We stand on guard for thee]?

Just as we were present in spirit when Banting and Best discovered a serum that would save the lives of our family members, we were equally represented when 132 residential schools operated across Canada and systematically destroyed the lives of our aboriginal people. Canadian history -- blemished and glowing -- is ours.

To be Canadian is to be compassionate. To be Canadian is to be destructive. But it's also to be much more. Either way, pledge "never again" to residential schools. Embrace our history in its entirety and ensure a better future for our native people. "[13]

As a co-founder of Ve'ahavta, Rosensweig also had access and opportunity to attend and report on an event held by Ve'ahavta Street Academy (VSA), a school that opened in 2011 for at-risk or vulnerable individuals in the Greater Toronto Area. The VSA is now a three-month course held at George Brown College in Toronto. The Academy's goal is to provide participants with knowledge, resources and support in the creation of goals leading to healthy living.[9]

Rosensweig wrote an article in April 2012 for the Huffington Post about CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and host of the Olympic games, Ron MacLean, who told the story of a former homeless individual, turned business owner and founder of the Second Cup cafe chain, Frank O'Dea. MacLean said, "Frank got off the street because he had mentors who helped him. This is my home phone number. If any of you ever need help please feel free to call me or my wife." [17][2]

The article mentioned Mclean as a co-chairperson of the VSA with two others. Rosensweig wrote that the VSA was an idea originally thought up by a recovering addict and sex worker who won a Ve'ahavta creative writing contest. Rosensweig, serving as co-founder of Ve'ahavta, was approached by this individual, Theresa Schrader, looking for a summer job. Schrader and Rosensweig were planning the Ve'ahavta Street Academy with Schrader's idea of creating a scholastic institute, and George Brown College became a partner in the endeavor. At the time of the article Schrader was credited for bringing together the team of teachers, including the VP of Academics for GBC. There was also mention of the hope of franchising the idea. The VSA today is an educational institution in Toronto.[17][9][2]

in 2009 a Roma family from Budapest, Hungary arrived in Canada after being brutally attacked by neo-Nazis. The Pusuma family, after hearing a car on the property, were beaten with bats in their yard. The father surrounded and protected their 15-month old daughter from the blows. The article written in 2014 took place five years after their arrival in Canada. The family had been in hiding the entire time, so that they would not be picked up and sent back to Hungary. The article called for more Righteous Gentiles to take action to help prevent this family from being deported. The article written by Rosensweig was published in the Canadian Jewish News in hopes to get support for the endangered family. "Many Righteous Gentiles saved us. Now is our chance to repay them," Resensweig wrote.[18]

Working against antisemitism

in March of 2009, Rosensweig wrote an article for Haaretz, pleading Jewish people worldwide to stand up to antisemitism by approaching community leaders. Rosensweig reported on the rise of antisemitism in his home country of Canada. This came at a time when Israeli academics were barred form lecturing in universities in Ontario. Rosensweig stated that after years of large sums of spent on Holocaust education, and after six-million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, Rosensweig still did not see any type of action taken against antisemitism at the time, and he called upon the Jewish community to rally leaders to "mobilize a plan." He further pointed out that in history, Jewish communities have never been ready for the fight to curb antisemitism. He shared it was now time to "tap into the available philanthropic funds and know-how that has been built up in every major metropolitan centre in the world, to create a fundraising campaign that will underwrite this plan. Despite recent financial woes and the fifty billion actions of a destructive member of our community, funds are still available and a Community Mobilization emergency campaign will prove that."[19]

Radio

Rosensweig spent ten years on commercial radio in Toronto as the co-host and producer of a show about food and restaurants called 'Marty & Avrum: The Food Guys'. Rosensweig and Marty Galin, spent five years at Talk 640 radio and the subsequent five years at CFRB1010.[20][21] [22] Some prominent music guests were interviewed during that time, included Jeff Healey, Harry Belafonte, and Michael Buble, Neshama Carlebach, James Carville, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Jose Feliciano, David Shore, David Broza, Graham Kerr (The Galloping Gourmet), and Michal Cotler Wunch.

Rosensweig began to host and produce his brand of podcast in 2019 titled, "HatRadio!." The podcast featured whom Rosensweig called "regular folk," being interviewed. the tagline read, "just a Jewish guy, trying with friends, to figure out what the hell is going on!"[23]

The Avrum Rosensweig Show

The Avrum Rosensweig Show was launched as an in-depth conversational platform hosted by Rosensweig. The show, hosted on YouTube features discussions with individuals from diverse backgrounds and their life experiences. A significant aspect of the content has focused on Israel, specifically the reactions and feelings of its citizens to the events of October 7 and life afterwards.[24]

One of its early shows featured the art of storytelling with Holocaust educator and senor religious leader, Eli Rubenstein.[25] In 2024, Rosensweig and Rubenstein co-hosted the show, interviewing Holocaust survivor and educator, Nate Leipciger. The show was specifically about the response to antisemitism rising worldwide since October 7, 2023. Rosensweig asked Leipciger if he felt surprised by the rise in antisemitism, he replied, "I am surprised. I shouldn't be, but I am. 80 years after Auschwitz [the Holocaust] is not a long time, and when the vengeance with which antisemitism has returned has eliminated the gap between then and now... I think [like most people] I feel disappointed, I feel troubled, I feel horrified by the loss of life we have witnessed on Oct 7, and with the brutality with which it was conducted. It was unequal even Isis didn't show pictures like that."[26][27]

Over the course of the show to date, Rosensweig has had a number of notable guests such as Israeli reporter, Susie Stern, long-time Israeli musician, David Broza, Canada's Ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, and Dr. Michael Silverman.[28][29][30]

References

  1. ^ "Ve'ahavta Announces Transition of Leadership". May 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Ve'ahavta gala event marks 20 years of tikkun olam". The Canadian Jewish News. 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  3. ^ "I haven't seen my Father in 22 years. How do we?". 3 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  4. ^ "Happy Birthday Mom". 6 May 2010. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  5. ^ "A Rabbi, Rebbetzin, A Boy & A Biker (On Teaching Tikun Olam)". 12 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  6. ^ "From Toronto to Eilot to Rwanda | UJA Federation of Greater Toronto". www.jewishtoronto.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  7. ^ "Tikun Olam according to Avrum Rosensweig". 6 August 2009. Archived from the original on 2016-02-24. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  8. ^ "About Ve'ahavta". Ve'ahavta. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  9. ^ a b c "Ve'ahavta Street Academy: Process Map". edge.media-server.com. November 6, 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  10. ^ "GUYANA Pictures From 2001 | MEMORIES OF GUYANA, Ve'ahavta". guyanasnapshots. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  11. ^ "Spurred by Rwanda Genocide, Activist Makes 'Love Thy Neighbor' a Mission". 18 December 2007.
  12. ^ "Eli Rubenstein - Congregation Habonim of Toronto". www.congregationhabonim.org. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  13. ^ a b c "With Glowing Hearts? Coming to Terms with Our Dark Past". HuffPost. 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  14. ^ a b "Yom Ha'shoah, The Visually Impaired And A Return To Aushwitz". HuffPost. 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  15. ^ "Bulletin Archive - Congregation Habonim of Toronto". www.congregationhabonim.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  16. ^ "Blind Love: A Journey Through Poland with Man's Best Friend by Eli Rubenstein". sacredsearch.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  17. ^ a b "Ron Maclean's Secret Life as a Mentor to the Homeless". HuffPost. 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  18. ^ "Repaying the Righteous Gentile". The Canadian Jewish News. March 7, 2014. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  19. ^ Rosensweig, Avrum (March 16, 2009). "JEWISH WORLD A Plea to Jews Everywhere, Unprepared to Fight anti-Semitism". Haaretz. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  20. ^ LHX, TRANSSION. "Episode 15 - The Marty & Avrum Radio Years | Podcast | Boomplay". Boomplay Music - WebPlayer. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  21. ^ "CFRB-AM – The History of Canadian Broadcasting". Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  22. ^ Gladstone, Bill (2004-09-07). "Jewish group develops HIV treatment". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
  23. ^ Rosensweig, Avrum (November 6, 2024). "HatRadio!: Just a Jewish guy, trying with friends, to figure out what the hell is going on!". podimo. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "Avrum Rosensweig-Purpose & Meaning Coach". Purpose & Meaning. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  25. ^ The Avrum Rosensweig Show: King of Questions (2023-12-15). How to be a A Storyteller with Special Guest, Eli Rubenstein. Retrieved 2024-11-05 – via YouTube.
  26. ^ The Avrum Rosensweig Show: King of Questions (2023-12-31). October 7th: I've Never Seen Anything Like This. Nate Leipciger. Retrieved 2024-11-05 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ "Page 15". Purpose & Meaning. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  28. ^ "Blind Love: A Journey Through Poland with Man's Best Friend by Eli Rubenstein". sacredsearch.org. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  29. ^ The Avrum Rosensweig Show: King of Questions (2024-10-30). Ladies & Gentlemen: Canada's Ambassador to the UN:The Very Honorable, Mr. Bob Rae (PLEASE SUBSCRIBE). Retrieved 2024-11-08 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ The Avrum Rosensweig Show: King of Questions (2024-10-31). World Renowned Singer, David Broza plays for Israel Guide Dog Centre for the Blind (SUBSCRIBE). Retrieved 2024-11-08 – via YouTube.
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