Shmatta Chic: BAC 2 Fashion 2011

Written by: Dave Goodman

I don't often have the opportunity to work on projects that are trendy as they are relevant, but my experiences over the past 8 months in rolling out our 2011 BAC2Fashion initiative surprised our community's biggest critic...me.  When exploring ways to bring attention to our cause (providing hope for vulnerable Jewish seniors living in isolation or below the poverty line in Toronto) one would often not turn to song and dance.  I must say, executing my first ever 'flashmob' was a turning point that took this B2F 2011 from good to great in under one week.  Further, using it as a gag on my dad, grandmother and brother to seed on the internet for 40,000+ to see, took it from great to stellar.

The fact that a beloved local eatery, United Bakers Restaurant, generated some great PR out of our marketing gimmick was sweet, but selling out our show the week before we took to the catwalk made us blush.  Then we realize that we oversold by 120 seats based on the original floor plan, and our blush turned to sweat.  "Selling out is never a bad problem to have" our title sponsor and co-Founder of Magen Boys Entertainment, Jian told me.  We had 352 people slated to come out on June 16th to the LEED Gold Certified - Artscape Wychwood Barns after crushing our fundraising goal and grossing over $36,000 by showtime!!

 

Twelve Toronto-based Jewish designers and/or clothing stores showcased their fashion on over 35 young Jewish adult model volunteers.  5 different dance routines gave our fashion show a unique twist that provided a change of pace while also giving some incredible local dance talent their time to shine.  The event has been covered by our community's media outlets: ShalomLife, Friday Night Magazine, and the CJN.  We were thrilled to see coverage in the Toronto Star as well, and how can you blame the majors for finally deciding to cover the CoCo scene - we had some serious talent on board:

EK, founder of her own line and the hit-blog sensation that is sweeping the globe, The Coveteur, made her second appearance in BAC2Fashion in as many years!

Jay Godfrey, NYC designer born and raised in TO and stylist to the stars showed his lines in B2F for the second straight year.  Thank you Jay!

Laura Fine (right), is a prime example of a volunteer that gives back to our Jewish community while her designs are beginning to turn heads on the runway, demonstrating B2F's theme, inter-generational influence in the fashion and garment industry.

I would be remiss not to recognize the catalysts behind this entire operation, our volunteer chairs that put in countless hours of work, creativity and passion into this initiative.  Jess Taylor, Raquel Binder, Lisa Steele and Julie Goldstein provided the lead for a cast of volunteer models, dancers and dozens of volunteer organizing committee members that all own a piece of B2F's success that helped create change and make our community stronger than I have ever known it to be.  Kol Ha'kavod to the inspiring effort by our volunteers!

L-R: Mel Zeller (UJA's CoCo), Lisa Steele, Raquel Binder, Julie Goldstein, Jessica Taylor and Dave Goodman (UJA's CoCo)

A big THANK YOU is due to all event sponsors, event program donors, event attendees and community corporate partners that allowed us to do what we did on a very tight budget.  Knowing that we can channel a great portion of our fundraising efforts to the cause because of your generosity is a testament to your spirit of tzedek and your confidence in our work.

For more information about how you can better the lives of Jewish seniors in Toronto, please do not hesitate to contact me by email:)

*All B2F Event Photos taken by: Giordano Ciampini

The Projects Launch Party- Featured in the CJN

TORONTO — More than 250 people recently attended The Projects launch party to learn about volunteer opportunities and get involved in Jewish social action.

Dave Goodman and Jessica Taylor are Top 20 Under 40 volunteer nominees. [Cara Edell photo]

Held on April 10 at 6 Degrees nightclub, the event encouraged guests to donate time instead of money to make a change in the community. More than 2,000 volunteer hours were raised for 15 different Jewish social service agencies.

The Projects is a collaboration of seven major Jewish organizations in Toronto: The House, Annex Shul, Impact Toronto, Birthright Alumni Community, UJA’s Community Connect, Jewish Urban Meeting Place and Hillel Toronto.

The Top 20 Under 40 volunteer nominees for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s agencies [Barry Roden photo]

“This collaboration was a result of all the agencies wanting to create a robust social-action portfolio, offering young adults the opportunities to volunteer as much as possible,” said Alana Kayfetz, manager of volunteer initiatives at Community Connect.

“The Projects allows all of the organizations to work together in equal partnership. Helping those in need is incredibly important for us as young Jewish adults and is at the heart of Jewish values and belief. By working together, we will strengthen this community and allow for it to prosper in a way that is truly meaningful.”
Kayfetz said she hopes The Projects “will become the central address for young Jewish Torontonians to get involved and know that they will make a difference for the betterment of the local community and society.”
The Projects also featured some of Toronto’s best and brightest young Jewish volunteers, who were nominated for the Top 20 Under 40 for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto’s agencies.

“This was an opportunity to give honour and to celebrate those who have been dedicated to giving back their time and have set great examples of how to live generously,” Kayfetz said. Justin Lebofsky, who volunteers for Jewish Addiction Counselling Services Toronto, and Yoelit Lipinsky, who volunteers for Mount Sinai Hospital, were both presented with awards at the party.

“Volunteering feels great. Those who are dedicated leaders are modest and do not really have an opportunity to be recognized by their friends. This was an opportunity to give them a chance to shine, give them the honour they deserve and allow them to act as role models for the young Jewish community at large,” Kayfetz said.

Jessica Taylor, who was nominated for her volunteer work with the Birthright Alumni Community, said she was “truly honoured to be included amongst a group of people who do such great work in the community. I know most of us volunteer because we have causes we care about, and we’re not looking for praise or recognition, but it’s great to see that the community appreciates the work being done.”
This year, Taylor is one of the chairs for BAC2FASHION, a charity fashion show that raise money for vulnerable seniors. She is also a mentor in the Birthright leadership training program and will be chaperoning the Young Adult March of the Living.

“I think The Projects launch party is such an important event as there are so many great volunteer opportunities in the community, but people don’t necessarily know that they exist or how to get involved,” Taylor said. “Recognizing the top volunteers also helps show the community that the volunteer work being done is valuable, needed and appreciated.”

Aside from being a time-raiser, the party also had a dessert and candy buffet, live art by Jessica Gorlicky, a performance by the band Little Black Dress and raffle prizes.

By CARA EDELL, Special to The CJN  
http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21230&Itemid=86

JewTube: 5 Interesting Online Videos

Written by: Dave Goodman

YouTube!  The internet's greatest weapon to combat procrastination.  Perhaps the internet's greatest tool to facilitate procrastination, but either way, the YouTube is a destination where as of late, I have been noticing a lot of crap...and they've been representing me...and you.


The 21st century North American young Jewish adult has many liberties, in some cases, an excess of disposable income that our parent's generation could never have dreamed, and in even more instances, a disconnect with their Jewish identity.  Maybe it's just a complete disregard to represent themselves, or us, with some integrity or class.

I am not saying there is a correlation with the growing negativity towards western society and the Jewish influence in media, but after watching a few of these vids, ask yourself this question:

Are these Jews representing themselves or us as community of North American Jews with integrity?

1) 'Pursuit of Jappiness': 260,000+ views 
Created by some Michigan Jewish Student 

My take:  This attempt to gain popularity backfires into a spoof gone bad.  Its fine to enjoy the finer things in life and live in a bubble, but there is no need to go to this length to promote your lifestyle of excess and shamelessness.  I want nothing to do with Michigan anymore.

'Throw the Jew Down the Well!!': 4.5 million+ views

 Created by 'Borat' (Sacha Baron Cohen) 

My take: Although Borat is successful in demonstrating that anti-Semitism is alive and well in a southern US town, he fails to consider the millions of Jews that have been persecuted by like-minded individuals in the past, and how insulting this is to them and their relatives.  It is a hilarious glimpse into the world of ignorance and intolerance, but at least Baron Cohen is a proud Jew and we all know this, so I have mixed feelings about this video being so widely disseminated.

'TurBaconEpic Thanksgiving': 37 million + upload views
Created by Epic Mealtime

My take: Some funny Montreal Jews currently cleaning up the Canadian YouTube rankings and seemingly on a path to comic stardom in hollywood amongst a 'funny or die' type production network.  These guys are funny and creative and there is no way around that, however, they have an opportunity to rep fellow yids in a positive light, will they harness their influence, or wrap it in bacon...time will tell.

I think what some JewTube sensations are not grasping is that our image is fragile.  I'd have to say, it makes it easier to use Israel as a scape-goat for the distaste some people have towards Jews, especially since our image is constantly being re-defined by our most ridiculous public online figures through online video.

It's not all bad on YouTube though.  We obviously must go to bat for our Jewish homeland at the end of the day.  Here is a few viral video success stories (IMO), where Jews have positioned Israel and themselves in a better light through the use of YouTube:

Hillel Neuer (UN Watch): 500,000+ views:

My take: This guy is one of my heroes.  I wish this video had as many million views as Epic Mealtime is garnering these past few months.  This speech at the UN will go down in internet video history.

'Size Doesn't Matter': 500,000+ views
Created by:  Anonymous

My take:  One of the most daring and intelligent online Israel-based PR videos since YouTube was created.  I tip my hat to the Yids who made this happen and continue to drive change in public opinion and support for Issy - visit: www.sizedoesn'tmatter.com.


So if you're into the viral video game and the ones that depict Jews as less than favourable, or,  the ones that make a case for the legitimacy of Israel; please do a mitzvah:


Give 15 Minutes of your time on Monday, March 7th, 2011 @ 1pm (EST) to listen to a live-streamed webcast of the father of captured soldier, Gilad Shalit, Noam Shalit:

@ >>> http://www.magbitcanada.org.il

5 Year - Hoops 4 Israel - Get your game in check....

Written by: Dave Goodman

It's been quite a ride, the Hoops 4 Israel roller coaster of the past 5 years that is.  Hundreds of Toronto's youth have banded together on a yearly basis to rally their networks to support the vulnerable communities of Bat Yam and Kiryat Moshe since 2006.  

Touted as one of the largest niche fundraising campaigns of the 250,000 plus global Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni, Hoops 4 Israel has incredibly raised over $450,000 in 4 years.

The event model has become a source of community solidarity and zionistic pride towards our Jewish nation.  In each of the past 3 years, over 200 volunteers have taken part in the event at Hoopdome as either participants and solicitors of donations, or, as organizing committee members.  Most incredibly, the H4I operational budget is run with such efficiency, that under 10% of fundraised dollars are spent on executing the initiative on a yearly basis.  By industry standards, this is very impressive if we do say so ourselves.  

Hoops 4 Israel is proud to announce for the fifth straight year, Riocan REIT has signed on to the naming rights to the Title sponsorship for the Sunday, April 24th event at Downsview Park's Hoopdome.  

President & CEO, Ed Sonshine and Executive VP & COO, Fred Waks; strong supporters of the
State of Israel and the game of basketball seen here when the raps were good in 2006.

H4I is also thrilled to have the continued support of the following 

corporate sponsors for a fifth straight year representing 

teams participating in the event:

        

This event does not happen without the incredible leadership of dedicated volunteers to the cause and gameday logistics.  32 teams, $30,000 worth of in kind product and services and a fund raising goal of $125,000 can only be achieved with the help of the following H4I event chairs for 2011:

We are looking forward to the challenge and are hoping the Toronto Jewish Community will rise up to support this important cause through the support channels of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the United Israel Appeal of Canada division.

H4I is a product of Birthright Israel Alumni Community (BAC) and now, 

UJA's Community Connect > 'We do just that!'

_________________________

If you have a desire to join our volunteer committee, please contact erinc@hoops4israel.com.

_________________________

If you are a high school student who would like to earn volunteer 

hours and help bring Hoops 4 Israel 2011 to life, please contact elissa@hoops4israel.com.

_________________________

If you are a player interested in forming a team to enter the event on 

Sunday, April 24th, 2011 at Hoopdome, please contact danielw@hoops4israel.com.

_________________________

If you are a company that would like to donate a product or service to help 

enhance our ability to reward our fund raising volunteer participants, please contact ordon@hoops4israel.com.

_________________________

If you are a company looking to sponsor a TEAM or HOOP 

at the event, please contact goodman@hoops4israel.com.

_________________________

To learn more about the cause or our annual event, please visit www.hoops4israel.com 

or watch this 2010 promotional video by Corbin Visual:

Boardwalk Empire & My Jewish Connection to the Mob (Part II)

Written by: Dave Goodman

Hard picture huh?  Not really, but the majesty of photo booth on a macbook does wonders for my cigar smoking prowess.  In January 2009 I became wildly fascinated with cigars, which coincided with a work mission to Havana, Cuba.  Big coincidence, I know.  

Two years back I also developed great interest in the dealings of the Jewish mob, and, how I may not have explored the world of Jewish communal work had it not been for the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro in the 1950's.

Meyer Lansky being brought in by FBI in 70's

I dabbled around the topic in 2009, growing a profound interest in a man name Meyer Lansky, who basically took over the New York Jewish mafia after the death of Arnold Rothstein in 1928.  Lansky was doing a ton of 'business' in hotels and casinos in Miami, Las Vegas and ultimately, Havana, Cuba, which became a booming market for tourism, and more importantly, a hotbed for illegal activity that could not be controlled by the FBI.  

Portrayed as the fictitious character and Jewish Mobster in the Godfather Part II, Hyman Roth, who does business with Michael Corleone; Meyer Lansky inspired one of the best mob film storyline's in our time.  

Hyman Roth (Lansky) & Michael Corleone in Miami
scheming in Godfather Part II

So you are probably asking yourself, what the hell does Meyer Lansky or Hyman Roth or Havana have to do with Dave Goodman?  To tell you the truth, not so much.  But ever since Boardwalk Empire premiered this year, and Meir Lansky made his start under Arnold Rothstein in NYC, it resurrected my interest in the Jewish players in the mob game.

My family business record is squeaky clean (I thought).  However, aside from my Papa's twin-brothers who were both thrown in the slammer for mob-related activity back in the glory days, my Papa was doing quite well in the Hotel business.

That is, until his twin-bros met this man named Meyer Lansky who convinced them to be investors in the Havana Riviera Hotel in Cuba.  This was the very same hotel and casino resort that was envisioned in Godfather II.  Great Success! Well, not so much.  On paper it looked like a fool-proof plan.  The newest and best hotel in Cuba; backed by lots of North American money in the 50's to hit the booming tourist destination of Havana;  the first hotel with central air conditioning!  In the first year of operations, it was THE destination to hit. 

Frank Sinatra, Ginger Rogers, Eva Rodriguez, Joe Lewis and Rocky Marciano were some of the who's who that frequented the Riviera.  Did I mention the central air conditioning?  

Here's a photo of my Grammy and Papa in their prime clubbing and casino days. Ahhh yes, times were good in the 50's, and future Dave Goodman was on his way to becoming a part-owner in the Riviera until tragedy struck (Capitalist Cuba that is).  Guerilla fighters of Castro's Communist movement closed in on Bautista's government and took over Havana in 1958.  

Castro and Crew outside the Riviera taking over shop in 1958

The dream of Jewish mob control in the city was lost and Lansky and almost all of his assets that were sunk into the Riviera mega project was finished.  More importantly, my new found dream (in 2009) to become a hotel heir ala Paris Hilton was also lost.

That did not stop me from smoking a Cohiba on the lobby floor of the Riviera thinking of what could have been in January 2009 (I may or may not have been crying).  Very mobster of me huh?  Perhaps I was not cut out for the Jewish mob.

The BAC Crew in the Hotel Riviera Lobby after a few Mojhitos and Rum & Cokes

This is my gorgeous grandmother, Evie Smith,
shown here on the diving board of the Hotel Riviera Pool in the 50's.
Below, is her grandson on the very same diving board some 50 odd years later.
The dream lives on!

Getting Bac 2 Fashion

Written by: Dave Goodman

2.5 years ago, Jen Weisz & Jordan Morra came to the UJA offices at Lipa Green Center with a plan to make an impact through fashion.  Today, we have 4 new volunteer chairs and over 26 young Jewish adults sitting on a volunteer committee to help transform the lives of vulnerable Jewish seniors through our 3rd annual charity dance/fashion show in June 2011.

What is 'BAC 2 FASHION'?

Well the 'BAC' is a play on words for 'back'.  We are looking 'back' so to speak.  But since the initiative was founded by two Birthright Israel Alumni Community leaders, we scooped the acronym BAC and threw the '2' in there (meaning 'to') and the rest is history.  Funky stuff huh?  Thanks.

B2F 2011 Concept

If you happened to catch HBO's 'Shmatta' two part series last spring, you would learn all about the integral role that Jewish immigrants had in the garment sector in the 20th century.  We owned the runways, we ran the sweatshops, we schlepped the goods...North American fashion at at it's core had Jewish influence on it everywhere you looked.  In many ways, it still does today.  From designer brands run by Joseph Mimran (JOE Fresh) or Ralph Lipshitz (Lauren) to up and coming break out clothing designers like Jay Godfrey and Erin Kleinberg, Jewish influence in the fashion industry is still thriving! 


So for 2011, we decided to roll with the concept of looking BAC on Jewish influence in fashion and recognizing the efforts of the Jewish pioneers in the industry, while showcasing the incredible Jewish talent coming out of Toronto today.

B2F 2010 Promo @ Six Degrees Nightclub (by: Corbin Visual).

I think what makes B2F a significant volunteer outlet in our community is the tie-in we are trying to facilitate with the cause.  Since we are looking back on fashion and recognizing the great Jewish pioneers in the industry, it is the very same people that form the 'seniors' demographic.  In Toronto alone, by 2011 they estimate that almost 30,000 people will be categorized as 'seniors', 20% of which live below the poverty line.  Another staggering finding is that almost 1/3 of these individuals are Holocaust survivors.

BAC 2 Fashion net proceeds ($35,000+ was raised in 2010) will go towards UJA Federation of Toronto Seniors initiatives that provide amazing services to this vulnerable sector of our Toronto Jewish community.  From providing basic necessities, to facilitating the social opportunities that will keep our seniors out of isolation and depression, BAC 2 Fashion committee members will be living the cause and volunteering with Jewish seniors throughout the year leading up to the event and hopefully beyond.  How's that for a tie-in?!

So we have our hands full and we have super strong Volunteer Chairs for 2011, so without any further ado, here are our ladies with the plan:

Jess Taylor, 2010 Co-Chair & 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Raquel Binder, 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Lisa Steele, 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Julie Goldstein, 2011 Volunteer Co-Chair

Stay tuned for more updates on who else will be showcased in this great event and how we are trying to change a few lives with our efforts in the Jewish seniors community across Toronto (Bathurst St.).

Happy Chanukah!!

Joel Schwartz: Our inspiration

Written by: Dave Goodman


About 27 months ago I had the privilege of leading one of the most significant Taglit-Birthright Israel CIE buses of my life with my good friend Jodi Katzeff.  Before we started to get the participants organized with logistics and information in the fall of 2008, we were informed that one participant, Joel Schwartz (25), would be joining us with a shadow staff member, Emanuel Flatt (22) from a unique initiative within Reena Foundation, supported by UJA Federation of Toronto and it's Canada Israel Experience division.

Joel lived with Asperger syndrome and was greatly encouraged by his parents, Julie & Larry, and younger brother Jonathan, who was attending McGill, to join our group of 39 other young Jewish adults from across Canada.  I don't think I knew that this trip would change my life, but I learned very quickly that this would be one of my most profound experiences.  The experience itself is currently becoming an inspirational story for our community.  A symbol of inclusiveness and support for those who live with developmental disorders.

This is becoming Joel Schwartz's great legacy, and it is also, our inspiration...

Michelle Cohen & Joel Schwartz

From the beginning of the trip, our young professionals bus quickly accepted Joel into the fold.  Although I had gathered some insights before the trip about how things would play out, I came to understand that people with Autism are very self aware of their capabilities and how they are accepted into society on a social level.  I think part of what made this group so special and mature, was that they accepted Joel for who he was from the start. 

The major challenge was our ability to enable Joel with the mindset that he could get through the 10 days.  In Joel's mind, putting himself in social situations with other Canadian Jews for ten straight days, the physical challenges of intense hikes, heat and long hours...well I guess you could say that aside from managing the group, Jodi, Emanuel, our incredible trip medic Adam Miller and our tour guide Yossi, had our hands full.  But it was worth every second of attention Joel required.

Joel after conquering the Jillabun hike on Day 2

Caleigh Rykiss and Adam Miller (Trip Medic/Guard)

But Joel was a teddy bear!  He had an outgoing personality and was a sponge for information.  His timely wit and his 'gentle giant' presence made him the most loveable guy on our bus.  Challenging trip elements that seemed like mountains were overcome on a daily basis.  Although it was a roller coaster for Joel, he and we pushed him to experience everything the amazing C.I.E. itinerary offered.  We knew from that point on, that Joel was recognizing his true self-worth in his young life.

You could see it unfold before your very eyes, and everyone who embraced Joel throughout the Birthright Israel experience knew that they had a small piece of making this time of his life that much more significant and meaningful.  For one of the few times in Joel's life, he was truly accepted by his peers for who he was; a kind, caring, funny and beautiful young man.

I remember many times during the trip, watching his love for Israel and his love for life being shaped by his Jewish peers.  I can only hope it enhanced the experience for everyone else, as much as they enhanced the experience of Israel for Joel.

Tragically, we lost Joel just 2+ short months later in early March 2009.  The community lost Joel, but I can safely say that our December C.I.E. bus, lost a dear friend.

The Birthright Israel trip that is heavily supported by UJA Federation, UIA Canada and Taglit Birthright Israel,  changed this young man and his 50 new friends from the trip, Israeli & Canadian participants alike.  It changed the way others see young Jewish adults with developmental challenges.  It strengthened the Jewish community and characterized our people hood.

Since Joel's passing, I have only learned to embrace other young Jews who seem 'different', with the same respect and appreciation I would have for anyone who wants to experience a more meaningful Jewish life through our events and initiatives in the community.  For it is people like Joel who make our community a vibrant and interesting place to want to support and spend time.

Although Joel and his experience in Israel is only but a microcosm of the incredible work that is being facilitated by organizations within UJA Federation such as Reena Foundation; my new volunteer partners that have created The Joel Schwartz Memorial Hockey Tournament now use Joel's story as our inspiration.

In the spring of 2010, Jonathan Schwartz, Joel's younger brother came to me with a vision to commemorate his older brother in an effort to help other young Jewish adults have the same experience in Israel that transformed Joel.  Jonathan's ability to drive change was evident in his extensive and effective volunteer work of Hoops 4 Israel 2010.  Devising a model that could find the right leaders to form a leadership committee and make this initiative a reality was welcomed with enthusiasm and dedication by Jon, Jesse Abrams, Zack Belzberg, Corrie Pollock, Asher Kirshenbaum, our project chairs.

Jon Schwartz, Co-Founder & Volunteer Chair

Jesse Abrams, Co-Founder & Volunteer Chair

Zack Belzberg, Co-Founder & Volunteer Chair

Corrie Pollock, Co-Founder

Asher Kirshenbaum, Volunteer Chair

Jason Finestone, Volunteer Chair

Ari Diamond, Volunteer Chair

It has been amazing to witness the momentum that this initiative has picked up in the past few months after several chair meetings and now 3 full committee meetings with several dedicated young adults who have all banded together to actualize this grassroots initiative.  Incredible awareness for Reena Foundation and the Birthright Israel Shadow Program, along with necessary funds that will enable the shadow staff member to accompany the C.I.E. bus to Israel for 10-days will be realized.  

The inaugural Joel Schwartz Memorial Hockey Tournament will take place at Chesswood Arena for a full day of hockey and other entertainments on Sunday, March 13th, 2011.

Although this is the first of several other personal updates I will bring to the table regarding The JSMHT, please address any inquiries or offer support to: info@jsmhtournament.com, or visit our event site, or facebook page.