Shalom magazine - The Atlantic Jewish Council

C a m p K a d i m a H
Montreal Consul
Amazed with Camp Kadimah
by Joel Jacobson
The eyes of Avraham (Avi)
Lev-Louis and his wife Batia
were opened wide; their jaws
dropping in amazement as they toured
Camp Kadimah on July 16.
Camper listening to Consul Avi Lev-Louis
“Magnificent.” “Wow” “Everyone is so
happy.” – were only a few of the remarks
from the Consul in the Montreal office of
the Consul-General of Israel, and his wife,
who were making their first official visit to
Atlantic Canada since he assumed his role
last September.
Guided by camp director Joanna Wexler,
assistant director Jared Goldlust and camp
committee co-chair Michael Pink, Avi
spent several hours watching the children
at camp enjoy their activities, spoke for
about 20 minutes in Hebrew to 31 Israeli
youngsters attending Kadimah, and briefly
addressed the entire camp during lunch
period in the Chadar Ochel.
With a strong understanding of Canada and
Canadian Jewish camping, Avi spent many
of his formative years in Montreal, before
returning to Israel at age 27 to do army
service and join the foreign diplomatic
corps. He has spent consular time in
Dublin, Ireland, Prague, Czech Republic,
plus Ottawa and Toronto before accepting
his most recent posting.
He and Batia were awed by the art work
of current and former campers on a mural
near the Machar and CIT outdoor sport
field, a project funded by the New Yorkbased
Foundation for Jewish Camps. Later,
Avi photographed a mural of a large map
of Israel, created by the CITs of 2007, and
joked, “Israel seems larger here.”
Casually dressed in a short-sleeved dress
shirt and jeans, Avi was excited about the
integration of Israeli programming and the
emphasis on the connection between Israel
and the disapora.
While speaking with the Israeli contingent,
he sensed their excitement at being in
Canada. Each camper introduced him or
herself and told where they were from in
Israel. Avi stressed that Israel is not a “war
country” but one of culture and education
and peace and, with pride, spoke to them
about the wonderful inventions that have
come to the world from Israel, such as the
cellular phone and computer, as well as
Consul speaking to campers
advances in health.
As he spoke to the entire camp, Avi noted
his role as consul is to identify shared
values between Israel and Canada. “The
favourite part
of the job is the
cultural aspect
but my job is also
to explain Israel’s
political position.
I’m very proud to
speak of Israel’s
accomplishments in
the world that have
helped society as a
whole.”
He mentioned the
millions of people
integrated into
Page 18 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2
Israel’s society from places like Russia,
Ethiopia and, many years ago, from Europe
after the Holocaust. He also noted times
are challenging for Israel, with the constant
threat of terrorism and the Anti-Semitism
that just won’t go away.
“I hope you will be inspired to help Israel
so there will be peace and prosperity,
there and in the entire world,” he told the
campers.
In appreciation for the lunch he and Batia
enjoyed, Avi presented Camp cook Anne
Joudrey with The Book of Jewish Food, by
Janna Gur.
While in Halifax, Avi and Batia attended
the Halifax Jazz Festival, thoroughly
enjoying a Thursday evening concert by
Israeli guitar-tuba trio Boom Pam.
“The Halifax community, both Jewish and
non-Jewish, was very welcoming to Boom
Pam. There were no demonstrations, just
appreciation of great talent,” he said.
He also addressed the congregation of
Shaar Shalom Synagogue at Shabbat
services Saturday morning July 17.
“This is my first trip to Nova Scotia and
the smaller communities. [The consular
office] doesn’t get to the Maritimes often
enough and we should be here more. It’s
important, but there is a lot of work in the
Montreal office too,” he said.
Joanna, Batia, Consul Avi Lev-Louis and Jared Goldlust tour camp