Sgt Gilad Shalit was kidnapped 4 years ago by Hamas operatives and is being  held in a Hamas Prison in Gaza. For 4 years negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit have led no where. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra has joined forces with the Public Headquarters for the Saviour of Gilad in a unique attempt to vocalize the terrible pain of Gilad Shalit's imprisonment and seclusion. "A Cry to the World" is a concert to help bring world attention to the fact that Gilad Shalit's isolation is a painful experience  for him, his family friends and all of Israel. To join in making this concert more meaningful we are trying to encourage people to log on to stream this event in show of their solidarity.

Community Relations played an active role on the local Logistics Committee for the World Religions Summit held in Winnipeg. Community Relations and Canadian Jewish Congress representatives were also observers during the 2010 World religions Summit meetings June 21-23. To view the full photo gallery, please click here.
At the conclusion of the World Religions Summit, 80 world religious leaders signed a statement that was officially received by the Honourable Steven Fletcher on behalf of the Canadian government.

The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg sends a hearty mazel tov to Bridges for Peace Canada and its national Director Rev. John Howson. BFP-Canada raised 1.2 million last year – during a very tough time economically.

On Jan. 26th CR Director Shelley Faintuch & Chair Abby Morris made a comprehensive presentation to the Content Advisory Committee of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The presentation included: a vision for the museum as an educational space that would inform empower and inspire action; focus on the Convention for the Prevention of genocide as companion to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; a permanent Holocaust exhibit as the exemplar of all aspects of human rights abuses/ethnocide and genocide; focus on individuals who made a difference, especially Canadians; educational programming. At the request of the Committee, CR will follow up with specific examples and program templates.

Community Relations has just completed a series of meetings with various church groups: a 2-hr seminar with the Bishop & pastors of the Lutheran church and a 3-hr seminar with a group of 60 interested congregants at Emmanuel United Church. The meetings were focused on the Arab/Israeli conflict and presented within a social justice framework. CR is invited to its 1st meeting with the Human Rights Group at Red River College where Human Rights & the Holocaust will be discussed.

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