News from Kol Ami

on Sunday, 23 August 2015.

To honour our brave heroes and continue a proud tradition of service to our country and to the Jewish Community by preserving the memories of patriotic service performed by Jewish men and women

The Jewish Brigade was a member of the Great War Association in the 1920's and become a charter of Jewish Veteran's Branch of the Royal Canadian legion in 1934. In the mid' 40s the Jewish Brigade officially became General Wingate Branch, to honour a distinguished British Army officer who become a Zionist after he arrived in Palestine in 1936. The Branch is located at the Zionist Centre on 788 Marlee Avenue Toronto.

Usually on the last Sunday morning of every month, each veteran member is collected from their home by a young Jewish volunteer, and taken to the General Wingate 256 Legion Branch, where they join a branch meeting.  The Legion warmly welcomes a different host each month, but the young volunteers will be assigned to the same veteran member.

This means that over the months and years, young Jewish volunteers and member develop a friendship with brave surviving warriors, as our President Jerry Rosenberg said "Young people have to feel that they are part of the ongoing story, if we can do that, it will give them a sense of belonging. The desire to learn, to go back and read what happened in the ancient history of our Jewish people as they progressed through the centuries ... then they would simply be carrying on a continuing story."

Volunteering is not only limited to driving members to Legion meetings and helping with the Poppy Campaign, also by making regular phone calls to them or simply popping around for a chat. Helping them with their errands such as shopping, taking them to the bank or post office etc.(if required).

President

General Wingate Branch 256

Contact Number

Sgt-at-Arms Stephen Stepic

Phone: 647-975-4780

email: stephen.avro105@gmail.com