RE: non-Canadians who attend Klez Kanada - OFF TOPIC REQUEST

[Mel Korn <mkorn...>]

This post is not related to music, however I thought that the members of
this list would respond positively. Ari, please accept my apology for using
this list in this manner, however this is about an extraordinary event.

Last Sunday night/Monday morning a despicable act of hatred and perhaps
terrorism (see artricles) occured in Montreal. The library of the St.
Laurent United Talmud Torah, a Jewish Elementary school, was firebombed. As
gut wrenching as such an act is, in my case it hit very close to home, as
this is the school I attended as a child, nib fact I was in the very first
grade 1 class when the building opened. The school is located directly
across the street from my sisters home.

On the positive side, the Canadian public have reacted with horror and
disgust, and have taken positive action. There are many grassroots efforts
to rebuild this library, and fill it with books. There is a campaign to
raise funds for these efforts. If any of you would want to make a positive
statement, and to make a small donation (individuals have been encouraged to
donate 10 or 25 dollars) please email me off list, and I can forward the
particulars to you.

I am attaching 2 links, one an article from Wednesday on the aftermath, and
the other a column in today's Globe and Mail written by the Editor in Chief.


Original article
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040407/MONT
REAL07//?query=Talmud
Comment from the Editor in Chief
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040410/EDDI
E10//?query=Talmud
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of r l reid
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 3:34 PM
To: World music from a Jewish slant
Subject: non-Canadians who attend Klez Kanada


Moadim l'simcha

When I discuss the Yiddish Music "Kamps" with folks who
haven't been, one contrast I usually make about Klez
Kanada is how inexpensive it is.

There are several reasons, of course - the lesser
accommodations (a summer camp, not a hotel), and the
Canadian dollar vs the US dollar, teenaged kitchen staff.

But there is yet another reason.  After coming home last
year I first became aware that my learning at Klez Kanada
was partially financed by the Canadian taxpayer.  The
Canadian government has this idea that part of their
responsibility is the support of cultural institutions and
events.  Closet commies?  Hippie pinkos?  I dunno.

Not to be self aggrandizing - but on learning this I wrote
out a follow up check for $100, and plan to send another
$100 before the next registration is due.

It's pretty tacky to publicly announce one's donations,
but I'm doing it for a reason here.  There is no reason on
earth that we who come from any other country than Canada
should be subsidized by the Canadian taxpayer.

I feel non Canadian attendees who can afford it should
feel some obligation to donate funds above our tuition
room and board to Klez Kanada.

I realize there are some of us who come to Klez Kanada
specifically because of its affordablity - that you can
take a share in a tent or trailer and carpool up and do
the whole trip for a couple hundred bucks.  That's fine,
and if that's you, put your wallet away.

But for those of us who have had a few lucky breaks in
life and have made it into the middle class (or were born
into it and never left), and can afford to write a check
of $50 or $200 or $500 - I think we have an obligation, if
we are attending Klez Kanada to pay our own way, and let
the Canadian subsidy benefit people with fewer means and,
of course, Canadians!

It's probably clear that this letter is my own opinion and
is not endorsed - in fact has never been seen by Hy and
Sandy.  I did mention it to one of the music directors who
felt I maybe had a good point.  So I figured I'd share
this concept.  I feel like a bit of an ass doing so - ah
but so what.

Moadim l'simcha

Roger Reid



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