Shalom magazine - The Atlantic Jewish Council

arouNd our regioN: priNCe edward isLaNd & Cape
Yom Hashoah
Holocaust Memorial 2010
by Rosalie Simeone, Chair, Holocaust Education Committee for PEI
Holocaust Memorial was
observed April 12 and 13th,
2010 in Prince Edward
Island.
Our two day Holocaust /Yom Hashoah
Memorial started with a public service at
Confederation Centre-Memorial Hall in
Charlottetown PEI on Monday April 12th.
The programme began with Ms Cynthia
Dunsford, member of the Prince Edward
Island Legislative Assembly, relaying
a message from the PEI government.
She recognized the importance for
all Islanders to commemorate Yom
Hashoah, and included the importance
of the Holocaust Day Act, and the
contributions of our Canadian Veterans.
Ms Joanne White then introduced Asper
Foundation Human Rights and Holocaust
Studies programme, and the 9 students
participating this year. Four of the
students presented some related readings
and a slide show.
After the Memorial Candle Lighting, Mr.
Philip Riteman took the stage.
As he always does, he held the total
attention of every member of the
audience of approx. 200, as he spoke
about his experiences. His presentation
ended as it began, with the exhortation
to the audience; “I’m begging you don’t
hate. I want you to teach your children
to love. Think for yourself. Never let
yourself be brainwashed by other people”
Thanks go out to the members of the
Jewish Community who helped by
reading out names. Special thanks to
Heather Evans and Leslee Sack who
managed the guest book, and made sure
that the audience members felt welcome.
Thanks also go to the participants of
the Asper Foundation Human Rights
and Holocaust Studies Programme, for
participating in the evening, and passing
Page 50 Tishre 5771 - Vol 35 No. 2
out programmes.
On Tuesday April 13th, Philip Riteman
participated in the Holocaust/Yom
Hashoah programme at Donagh Regional
School. The presentation was lead by the
Asper students. Mr. Riteman then spoke
to 100+ grade 9 students from Donagh
and Birchwood schools. The students
were very affected by his story and the
message of thinking for oneself, and
loving not hating.
The 2010 PEI Holocaust/Yom Hashoah
programme was made possible by the
following: Atlantic Jewish Council,
The Conference on Jewish Material
Claims against Germany, the PEI Jewish
Community, and the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs- Canada Remembers-
Community Engagement Partnership
Fund.
Retired New Waterford Businessman
Recalls Earl Days of Coal-Mining Town
by Jack Columbus
It was “Louis Allen Day” at the
New Waterford Historical Society
on a summer afternoon in July as
one of the former coal mining town’s
best-known retired businessman
recounted memories of people and
events in the last century when the
community was in its hey-day.
Louis Allen, speaking at the
New Waterford Historical Society
Mr, Allen, who followed
in his father’s foot-steps in
the operation of grocery
stores regaled his listeners
with his encyclopaedic
knowledge of the
businesses on Plummer
Avenue, the main street
and the characters who
called the community
home. Many of the stores
in the bustling downtown
of the 30’s, 40’s ,50’s and
60’s were Jewish-owned as
the town supported its own
synagogue and rabbi until the
closure of the shul.
As he strolled down memory lane, Allen
recalled the close-knit nature of the
Members of the audience at the New Waterford Historical
Society listen to Louis Allen’s presentation
community and the social occasions that
brought people of all ethnic backgrounds
and religioius persuasions together.