“This is a true honour. The great passion of my life has been helping to engage people in important causes,” said Waldman. “Bringing people together to make a difference is at the core of what it means to be a member of the Jewish community in Canada”.

In 2005 Mark Waldman was one of the co-founders of the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee, has sat on its board, and now serves as the Executive Director. Over the years and with his involvement, CJPAC has grown from a tiny startup to a national organization with offices in Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton and plans for continued growth.

His work with CJPAC is just the latest in a succession of community leadership roles. Over the years Waldman has helped found and support multiple non-profits including Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund at the UJA of Greater Toronto, the  young leadership arm of the Toronto Raptor’s Foundation, Friends of America and has served on the boards of a many other organizations.

“Our community is lucky to have a passionate visionary like Mark helping build the institutions we need to ensure our voice is heard and our community has an impact beyond our numbers,” said Henry Wolfond, Chair of CJPAC. “We are very proud of Mark. He is truly deserving of this recognition.”

[photographs are available upon request]

Background Information

ABOUT CJPAC

CJPAC is a unique national, grassroots, independent organization. Its mandate is to activate the Jewish community and its allies in the political process in order to advance relationships with members of the Canadian political community and foster Jewish and pro-Israel political leadership. CJPAC mobilizes grassroots across the country, builds relationships with elected officials – of all political parties – and works for Jewish community interests, on a multi-partisan basis, during and between elections.

CJPAC is Canada’s only political, national, membership driven Jewish and pro-Israel advocacy organization and does not endorse political parties. It works with elected officials regardless of their partisan affiliation to advance the interests of our community.

ABOUT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II DIAMOND JUBILEE MEDAL

“A new commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country. At the same time, it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians.

During the year of celebrations, 60 000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.

The Chancellery of Honours, as part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal program.”

(Source: http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14019&lan=eng )

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The systematic planning and carrying out of the destruction of six million human lives is an unequalled tragedy in a century that saw far too many.

On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, we are all called on to contemplate the truth of the genocide: the brutal murder of six million Jews simply because they were Jewish. Of six million women, men and children, in addition to the millions who were displaced and hunted just because they were Jewish.

Today, we remember, but we also must remember to act against intolerance, racism and hatred of any kind.

“Yom HasHoah is a day of deep reflection for Canada’s Jewish communities, and Jewish communities around the world. The atrocities of the Holocaust saw six million Jews systemically killed in what can only be described as one of our history’s darkest moments.

On Yom HasHoah, we reflect on the incomprehensible: the incomprehensible loss of life; the incomprehensible blind hatred; the incomprehensible magnitude of suffering. Our remembrance is an act of rejection of an evil that sought to extinguish an entire people’s history, an evil never to be forgotten.

On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, our thoughts and prayers are with all those observing Yom HasHoah.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day:

“Yom HaShoah is a day to commemorate the nearly 6 million Jewish men, women and children who were slaughtered by the Nazis, and for the Jewish resistance during that period.

“On this day, which marks the 1945 liberation of the first Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, Germany, Canadians of all faiths stand united to remember the victims of the Holocaust and its survivors, and to renew our commitment to fight against intolerance, racism, discrimination and anti-Semitism.

“The heinous crimes of the Holocaust challenged the fundamental values that Canadians embrace: freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and we will continue to stand firmly against all those who challenge these principles.

“The lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten.”

I join with other Canadians in deploring the cowardly and odious acts of vandalism that targeted Jewish-owned summer homes in Val Morin. Reports say vandals broke into about 15 homes, destroying property and spray-painting messages of hate and images of swastikas.

Sadly, it is not the first time that hateful individuals have vandalized the property of Val Morin’s Jewish community. This only makes this latest incident all the more disgraceful.

These contemptible acts have no place in Canadian society. The Government of Canada is deeply disturbed by all anti-Semitic activity, which threatens the safety and well-being of this country’s citizens.

When such an incident occurs, it only strengthens the Government’s resolve to lead the fight against anti-Semitism, an enduring and pernicious form of hatred.

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I call on all Canadians to reject all forms of racism, intolerance and bigotry, which are contrary to Canada’s fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

As families and friends gather together for Seders, they will once again tell the remarkable story of the exodus of Jews from Egypt after 400 years of slavery.

As a celebration of freedom and hope, Passover embodies values that can inspire Canadians of all faiths and all walks of life.

My family and I wish you all a joyful celebration and a peaceful year ahead.

Chag Sameach.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the beginning of Passover:

“I would like to send my best wishes to those in Canada and around the world who will be celebrating Passover tomorrow. This holiday – which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt – reminds us of the value of freedom and perseverance, and the importance of family, tradition and faith.

“Tomorrow evening, as families and friends gather for the traditional Seder meal to recognize this important holiday, it is also an opportunity to think of those who are still struggling and fighting for their freedom around the world.

“Laureen and I join in wishing you a peaceful and joyous Passover.”

Monsieur le Président, chaque année, nous marquons un temps d’arrêt pour nous recueillir et pour nous souvenir d’un génocide inhumain pourtant commis par des humains.

The systematic planning and carrying out of the destruction of six million human lives is an unequalled tragedy in a century that saw far too many.

Yom HaShoah, le jour de commémoration de l’holocauste, nous contraint de regarder en face ce qu’était ce génocide: le meurtre brutal de six millions de juifs parce qu’ils étaient juifs, six millions de femmes, d’hommes et d’enfants, et des millions d’autres déplacés, pourchassés parce qu’ils étaient juifs.

Today, we remember, but we also must remember to act against intolerance, racism and hatred of any kind.

Mr. Speaker, every year, we take a moment to remember and reflect on an inhuman genocide carried out by human beings. The systematic planning and carrying out of the destruction of six million human lives is an unequalled tragedy in a century that saw far too many.  On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust remembrance day, we are all called to contemplate the truth of the genocide: the brutal murder of six million Jews simply because they were Jewish, of six million women, men and children, in addition to the millions who were displaced and hunted just because they were Jewish. Today, we remember, but we also must remember to act against intolerance, racism and hatred of any kind.