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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers historic speech to launch UJA Walk with Israel 2010

By Dan Verbin
Publication: Shalom Life

The 2010 UJA Walk with Israel began with a spectacular show of solidarity from members and leaders of the Jewish community as well as politicians from all levels of government.
Thousands of people came from far and wide to get to Ricoh Coliseum and the Direct Energy Centre to witness Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's historic speech – the first address by an Israeli Prime Minister to Toronto's Jewish community since Menachem Begin spoke here in 1978 and the first visit by an Israeli Prime Minister to our country since Yitzhak Rabin travelled to Canada 17 years ago.
“I’m delighted to follow in their footsteps… to be here in Canada with all of you,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said to enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. He said it was one of the warmest receptions any Israeli Prime Minister has ever received.

Netanyahu, who called Toronto a “beautiful city” full of “beautiful people”, said that the ties between Israel and Canada have never been stronger than they are today. He thanked the people of Canada and our federal and provincial governments, specifically praising Prime Minister Stephen Harper for being such a good friend to Israel.
He also noted the ever-present bond between the Toronto community and the State of Israel.
“This community has a well deserved reputation for its passion and commitment to Israel,” he said. “Though you are thousands of miles away, you show that you are by our side.”
Approximately 7,000 people packed the Ricoh Coliseum to hear Netanyahu speak and approximately 15,000 participated in UJA’s annual walk after the speech.

And the official Spin Master Toy Gurus are...

These lucky winners (ages 6-13), raised a minimum of $250 by Sunday, May 30th and won the opportunity to become an official "Toy Guru" with Spin Master. Each winner will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Spin Master factory and a pizza dinner.

The Spin Master tour will take place from approximately 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (date to be determined) and kids will have the opportunity to ask questions, play with some awesome toys and have a lot of fun.

Matthew Bongard, Rachel Burns, Hannah Damiani, Zachary Drimer, Hershel Ganz, Adina Librach, Brett Masters, Noam Morris, Lanny Mosoff, Natanel Ohayon, Jacob Pichhadze, Tyler Rastin, Rachel Rothstein, Natalie Urbach and Zachary Winkler

Sponsors' spotlight

Thanks to RioCan who has been an outstanding and ongoing supporter of the Walk Festival for the past 7 years. The Festival wouldn't be the success it is today without RioCan's dedication, generosity and extraordinary leadership!

The Festival which featured amusement rides, carnival games, a petting zoo, camel rides, a reptile show, a Guitar Hero tournament, an Israeli arts & crafts centre, a magician, a manicure centre, a delicious kosher BBQ, a Spin Master Play Zone Area and many more surprises, was enjoyed by all and people are still talking about this great event!

We couldn't have done it without you!

The dedication of Walk Volunteers make all the difference

Thanks to the overwhelming support from over 500 volunteers at this year's Walk, we were able to achieve great success. Your dedication is greatly appreciated by UJA, the Jewish community and the city of Bat Yam. Thanks for showing how much you really care and we hope you join us again next year on Sunday May 29, 2011 to volunteer at our amazing event!

Online fundraising hits an all-time high

UJA's 2010 Walk with Israel has raised almost $319,000 to-date online (from 6387 sponsors) to help the citizens of Bat Yam and off-line fundraising totals are still being calculated.

Thanks to all of our enthusiastic fundraisers and generous sponsors who have contributed to the great success of this year's Walk! The people of Bat Yam also thank you.

Top notch fundraisers

Congratulations to the Walk's top online fundraisers who have raised the following amounts as of June 4th at noon:

Congratulations to the Walk's top online teams who have raised the following amounts as of June 4th at noon:

The AEPi After Party was a blast

Over 200 people ages 19-30, from AEPi, UJA, the Birthright Israel Alumni Community, Canada Israel Experience, Hillel of Greater Toronto, and UJA's Impact Toronto attended an awesome After Party at The Fieldhouse at The Berkeley Church after the Walk with Israel on May 30th.

According to AEPi representatives, Jesse Cohen, Aryeh Sand and Josh Rosen, "AEPi Canada has historically been a strong supporter of many local and Israeli causes. The Walk with Israel struck us as a unique opportunity to fuse two of our main focuses into a large-scale event that helped us strengthen ties with the Jewish community. We were thrilled to support this incredible cause and partner with the UJA in engaging the future leaders of our Jewish community."

AEPi members across Canada helped raise over $12,300 for the community of Bat Yam in Israel.

Thanks to proud supporters of the Walk with Israel After Party, D’Angelo Brands, Joe Boo's Cookoos and Mill St. Brewery.

Click here for AEPi Walk and After Party coverage.

UJA Walk inspires local songwriter

Singer/songwriter and Torontonian, Marlowe Stone contributed to the Walk with Israel in a unique way, lending both her talent and vocal cords to the worthy cause. Stone composed Step by Step for this year's historic annual event and performed live in front of a crowd of thousands in the family-friendly room at Direct Energy Centre, which featured the simulcast of PM Netanyahu's address.

Hear Marlowe's music now.

Congratulations to the follwoing WalkTalk winners who registered online and raised $300 by Sunday, May 16th:

Jennifer Scoler

Wild Water Kingdom Fun Day Pass for two ($65 value)

Eric & Zachary Anhang
$36 gift certificate which can be used at Bistro Grande, Cafe Sheli, Dairy Treats, Miami Grill or Oasis

Alex, Adam and Jacki Satok

Tov Li gift certificate for one large pizza and two falafels

Illana Greenwald

$50 Capezio gift certificate

Eliana Samson

High School Musical Dancerella DVD dance guide

Ezra Weinroth

Peter Puck Prize Pack (includes t-shirt and hat)

Congratulations to the Walk with Israel Passport stamping contest winners:

Leil Gurevich

Tov Li gift certificate for one large pizza and two falafels (2 winners)

Danica Guarin

$50 Capezio gift card

Avigail Mikanovsky

High School Musical Dancerella DVD dance guide

Megan Schierau

High School Musical Dancerella DVD dance guide

Liora Benmergui

High School Musical Dancerella DVD dance guide

Justin Grad
Peter Puck Prize Pack (includes shirt and hat)

Jacob Rose
Peter Puck Prize Pack (includes shirt and hat)

Jonah Feldberg
Peter Puck Prize Pack (includes shirt and hat)

Zachary Friedman

Omri Casspi autographed basketball

Robert Rutledge

Men's Android watch

Mariel Strigberger

$50 Davids gift card

Michael Florence

$50 Davids gift card

Danielle Bader

$50 Davids gift card

Lil Sheffe

$50 Davids gift card

Elizabeth Karvasarki
Two Rainbow Cinemas movie passes

Zoe Brown
Three Rainbow Cinemas movie passes

Sylvia Krinksy
$50 Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers gift certificate

Tamara Jacobs
$50 Samuel Kleinberg Jewellers gift certificate

Aurora Mendelsohn
three-month membership to Women's Fitness Clubs of Canada ($200 value)

Nathan Fox
Joey Graham autographed photo

Michael Bernstein
Morris Peterson autographed photo

Benji Maged
Morris Peterson autographed photo

Christine Uy
Queen-sized bed sheets and duvet cover set

Winners will receive their prize by mail unless otherwise notified.

Congratulations to all of UJA's Walk participants, fundraisers and sponsors who supported our unprecedented event.

We hope you follow WalkTalk again in 2011!