CabinetMinisters, Ambassadors, dozens of MPs and legislative staff filled theCommonwealth Room in the House of Commons at a Rosh Hashanah Reception hostedby Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) to welcome the New Year onParliament Hill last night. 

The day started off on a high note as FSWC President and CEO AviBenlolo met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and presented him with a copy ofSimon Wiesenthal's brief reflection on the nature of forgiveness titled"The Sunflower." Mr. Trudeau responded thoughtfully, observing thetopic of forgiveness was much on his mind as he was preparing to speak at asynagogue on Yom Kippur, and hoped Wiesenthal's book might provide someguidance.

FSWC was also privileged to be recognizedin the House of Commons by NDP MP for Victoria, Murray Rankin in aPrivate Member's Statement during Question Period. However, the greatestexcitement was generated by the opportunity to showcase FSWC's signatureeducational initiative in one of the most visible and recognizable spots in theentire country, as the Tour for Humanity mobile ToleranceEducation classroom (T4H) parked directly in front of the Parliament Buildingfor an Open House. Reviews from parliamentarians were uniformly positive as asteady stream of MPs visited T4H to learn more about this unique educationalexperience, and to discuss bringing the Tour to their ridings. Finally, FSWC was immensely honoured to have close to 100 MPs, includingCabinet Ministers Stephane Dion, John McCallum, Ralph Goodale, Jim Carr,Carolyn Bennett and Maryam Monsef join in the Rosh Hashanah celebration. Aspecial debt of gratitude is owed to Liberal MP Michael Levitt (York Centre),Conservative MP Michelle Rempel (Calgary Nose Hill) and NDP MP Murray Rankin(Victoria) for co-hosting the Reception, and to Israeli Ambassador Rafael Barakfor making the event one of his first stops upon his return to Ottawa fromIsrael.

"This event was a truly special and timely reminder of thegreat esteem in which the Jewish community is held by leaders from right acrossthe country," said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. "As the NewYear begins it is important to acknowledge the support and friendship we havebeen shown from all parties in the House, and I look forward to working inpartnership with Canadian leaders to achieve our mutual goal of making Canada amore tolerant and inclusive society for everyone."

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Contact 
Stacey L. Starkman 
Director of Communications & External Relations 
416.864.9735 x 32 - office / sstarkman@fswc.ca 

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is a leading Canadian non-profit human rights foundation directly representing over 30,000 members. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, the Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed new Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles, which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca

Canadian Headquarters: Toronto  
Branches: Los Angeles • New York • Chicago • Paris • Buenos Aires • Israel