february-march 2015 | toronto image: dvora barzilai about the canada-israel cultural foundation the...

F E B R U A R Y- M A R C H 2 0 1 5 | T O R O N T O

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cover image: Dvora Barzilai

ABOUT THE CANADA-ISRAEL CULTURAL FOUNDATION

The Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation is a member-supported charitable foundation dedicated to supporting and developing artistic life in Israel, as well as showcasing Israeli culture in Canada. For more than fifty years, CICF has played an important role in the development of many of Israel’s largest cultural institutions, as well as in the artistic development of Israel’s finest artists in every discipline. With a special focus on young artists, CICF develops artistic life in Israel by awarding scholarships and grants. For the past fifty years, the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation has continued to build an ever growing bridge between the two countries.

For more information and to donate to the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation, please contact us:

Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation 4700 Bathurst Steet, 2nd Floor Toronto, ON M2R 1W8Tel: 416.932.2260 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cicfweb.ca

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WELCOMEIn the second annual presentation of the Spotlight on Israeli Culture, Toronto’s cultural scene will enjoy the vibrant energy and creativity in contemporary theatre, art, film, music and dance from Israel. Throughout the months of February and March 2015, we invite you to experience a wide variety of Israeli artistic programming. This celebration of the best of Israeli culture continues to astonish us with the breadth and depth of what a small country can achieve. We, along with the presenters, hope you will enjoy this showcase of the best of Israeli culture.

We are proud to support the 2015 Spotlight on Israeli Culture festival showcasing in Toronto some of the best of Israeli culture touring the world today, and we commend the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation for this initiative.

Culture is a powerful force that transcends borders, and Israel’s diverse artists and performers—bursting with energy and creativity and reflecting the colourful tapestry that is modern day Israel—have earned a reputation for vitality and excellence which people of all backgrounds can enjoy and connect to.

Best Wishes to all for a most successful Spotlight.

Ronald BreslerNational President

Cheryl WetsteinExecutive Director

DJ Schneeweiss Consul General of Israel

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EVENT DATE/VENUE PAGE

FESTIVAL OPENING RECEPTION Sunday, February 1 from 3pm to 5pm Julie M. Gallery for Contemporary Art | 15 Mill Street

ART

PRAYER by Dvora Barzilai Presented by Miles Nadal JCC and the Austrian Cultural Forum

Thursday, January 29 to Thursday, February 19Gallery, Miles Nadal JCC

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THEATRE

MARATHON Presented by Progress and the Koffler Centre of the Arts, Curated by SummerWorks

Wednesday, February 4; Thursday, February 5; Friday, February 6 The Theatre Centre

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APPLES FROM THE DESERT: A dramatic readingPresented by the Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company

Sunday, March 8 The Gallery Lounge, Toronto Centre for the Arts

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MUSIC

NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA Presented by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, February 7 Roy Thomson Hall

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ASAF AVIDAN w/ Special Guests Presented by Union Events

Monday, February 9 The Opera House

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THE EHUD ETTUN TRIO The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar

Tuesday, March 10 The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar

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DIWAN SAZ INTERFAITH ENSEMBLE Presented by Ashkenaz Foundation and Aga Khan Museum

Thursday, March 12 Aga Khan Museum Auditorium

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ISRAELI JAZZ SHOWCASEPresented by Toronto Downtown Jazz and the Consulate General of Israel. Supported by the Canada-Israel Cultural Foundation

Wednesday, March 18 The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar

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DANCE

TWO ROOM APARTMENT Presented by Dancemakers

Thursday, February 26; Saturday, February 28; Sunday, March 1 | Master Class for Dancers: Friday, February 27Dancemakers Centre for Creation

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LETTERS

THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH: In Conversation with Ayelet Tsabari Presented by the International Festival of Authors and the Koffler Centre for the Arts

Tuesday, February 3 Ben McNally Books

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FILM

THE MATCHMAKERPresented by the Toronto Jewish Film Society and Miles Nadal JCC

Sunday, February 15 Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC

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GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM Presented by the Toronto Jewish Film Festival

Sunday, February 22 Cineplex Cinemas, Empress Walk

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ISRAELI FILM SERIES Presented by the Toronto Public Library and the Consulate General of Israel

Aviva, My Love Monday, March 16 Jellyfish, Monday, March 23 Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium, Toronto Reference Library

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FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

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A R T

PRAYERArtist: Dvora Barzilai

Barzilai’s Prayer series explores the Hebrew language in prayers, liturgy, songs, contemporary Hebrew proverbs and forgotten texts — brought to life through mixed media including gold leaf, tempera, sand, cement, ashes, oils and canvas.

Originally from Tel Aviv, Barzilai trained with several prominent Israeli artists throughout her early career. In 1992, she and her family moved to Vienna where her husband serves as the Chief Cantor at the Vienna City Temple.

Inspiration is drawn from her life as an observant Jew. Religion and Jewish tradition are at the centre of her work.

Dvora Barzilai exhibits her work and outdoor installations internationally, including Moscow, Romania, Bulgaria, and Austria.

Dvora-barzilai.com

LOCATION Gallery, Miles Nadal JCC 750 Spadina Avenue (at Bloor)

DATES: Jan. 29 – Feb. 19 Mon. – Fri. 9am to 9pm Sat. – Sun. 9am to 7pm

ADMISSION: Free

INFO: 416.924.6211 ext. 250 www.mnjcc.org

Presented by:

Tenth Anniversary Season Sponsor (Gallery):

Miles S. Nadal, MDC Partners, Inc.

PMS425

PMS144C

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MARATHON Conceived, Directed & Choreographed by Aharona IsraelText: Aharona Israel, Asa WolfsonActors / Dancers / Vocals: Ilya Domanov, Merav Dagan, Gal ShamaiMusic: Udi Berner | Costumes: Liat EzraStage design: Aharona IsraelPerformed in: English & HebrewDuration: 60 minutes

Three figures run in a circle, struggling to continue as they spiral into the depths of Israeli consciousness. As their journey becomes harder and more painful, their stories break down, revealing the wounds of contemporary Israeli society.

Combining dance, text, theatre, and gruelling physicality, Marathon uses the autobiographical stories of three performers to reflect a state of constant emergency. It is an exciting, visceral work that depicts the desperate need to hold onto ideas and ideals in an impossibly unstable world. Who will survive? And how?

Following its Toronto dates, Marathon will tour to Public Energy (Peterborough), Undercurrents festival (Ottawa), and the Chutzpah! Festival (Vancouver).

This is Marathon’s North American premiere.

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LOCATION The Theatre Centre 1115 Queen Street West

DATES: Wed. Feb. 4 – 7:30pm (English) Thurs. Feb. 5 – 7:30pm (Hebrew w/ English subtitles)

Fri. Feb. 6 – 7:30pm (English)

ADMISSION: $30 General, $20 Students, Seniors & Arts Workers

INFO/RESERVATIONS: thisisprogress.ca theatrecentre.org [email protected] 416.538.0988

Presented by:

Copresented with:

Curated by:

Generously supported by:

An International Festival of Performance and Ideas

T H E AT R E

“ A brilliant show that touches the core of our existence” - Habama

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LOCATION The Gallery Lounge Toronto Centre for the Arts 5040 Yonge Street

DATE: Sun. Mar. 8 – 2pm

ADMISSION: Free, reservation required

INFO/RESERVATIONS: hgjewishtheatre.com 416.932.9995 ext. 224

A dramatic reading:

APPLES FROM THE DESERTWritten by Savyon Liebrecht Translated by Shir Freibach

Winner of Israel’s Best Play Award, 2006

A poignant drama about love and reconciliation adapted by one of Israel’s most beloved authors from her own short story, this hit Israeli play follows the young Sephardic Rivka, a religious teenager, who falls for Dooby, a secular kibbutznik, at a dance class in Jerusalem. She arranges to follow him back to his kibbutz in the Negev Desert, but not before Rivka’s orthodox parents bar her from leaving, forcibly at first, only to chase after Rivka as she flees. A timeless and timely confrontation between tradition and modernity becomes a moving reckoning, as the sweetest of meals is offered and two generations learn to make peace.

“ Savyon Liebrecht is one of [Israel’s] most popular authors… She writes intelligently about ordinary people in situations that reveal the depths and passions of their lives.” – The Jerusalem Post

Presented by:

T H E AT R E

LOCATION Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe Street

DATES: Sat. Feb. 7 – 8pm

ADMISSION: $33 - $145

INFO: TSO.CA or RoyThomson.com

NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRABrahms: Double Concerto Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2

Pinchas Zukerman, conductor Yefim Bronfman, piano Amanda Forsyth, cello

Pinchas Zukerman makes his final Toronto appearance as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. The hearty programme presents two Brahms concertos, the first featuring the soloists Zukerman and Principal Cello of the NAC Orchestra, Amanda Forsyth, and the second the remarkable pianist, Yefim Bronfman.

Zukerman was born in Tel Aviv where he began his music studies before moving stateside to study at The Juilliard School. Bronfman, born in the Soviet Union, moved to Israel in 1973, where he studied at the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University before going on to The Juilliard School. Both of these amazing musicians—and lifelong friends—are past recipients of America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarships.

Intermission Chat in the Lobby.

M U S I C

Part of the RBC Piano Extravaganza

presented by:

Supported by:

Yefim Bronfman

Pinchas Zukerman

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ASAF AVIDAN with special guests

While Asaf Avidan has drawn comparisons to Janis Joplin, Jeff Buckley and Nina Simone, he possesses a voice that is utterly singular. He shot to worldwide fame when his track “One Day / Reckoning Song,” performed with his band, hit number one in 14 countries as a remix by Berlin’s DJ Wankelmut.

Avidan recently released his debut solo album Different Pulses to much acclaim in Europe. In the new work, he focuses his passion and poetry into a tight suite of songs linked by robust melodies and intriguing psychological ambivalence. Avidan pushes his remarkable voice to its limits. The new album has already sold over 200,000 copies in Europe, where the remix single “Reckoning Day” has sold over 1.5 million.

LOCATION The Opera House 735 Queen Street East

DATE: Mon. Feb. 9 – Doors open 8pm, Show at 9pm

ADMISSION: Advance tickets $20 + S/C

INFO/TICKETS: Available online at Ticketfly.com Or in person at Rotate This & Soundscapes

M U S I CPresented by:

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LOCATION The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar 194 Queen Street West

DATE: Tue. Mar. 10 – 9:30pm

ADMISSION: $9 at the door

INFO/TICKETS: Tickets available at the door only on the night of the performance. Cash sales only. 416.598.2475

THE EHUD ETTUN TRIODaniel Schwarzwald – Piano Nathan Blankett – Drums Ehud Ettun - Bass

Bassist Ehud Ettun has been “making a splash into the jazz and world music scene”(Boston Globe). He has collaborated with artists such as Danilo Perez, George Garzone, Anat Cohen and others. His new trio have recently released their album Raw Gestures, that was rated #1 in the Jazz category on the iTunes chart in Israel. Ettun will be joined by Pianist Daniel Schwarzwald (Jerusalem-Germany), and drummer Nathan Blankett (Jerusalem - New York). They will play materials from the last album, as well as new materials by the trio, and arrangements to Israeli songs and Jazz Standards.


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Canadian premiere of

DIWAN SAZ INTERFAITH ENSEMBLE

Diwan Saz is a multicultural group made up of Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Bedouin musicians, who perform ancient music from Central Asia, Turkey, Persia, and the Holy Land. The melodies and texts incorporate the spirit and music of Sufism and the musical heritage of the Holy Land. Diwan Saz explores this music in depth, playing, composing and transposing texts and melodies from the various ethnic and folk traditions. Promoting peace and understanding through their music, Diwan Saz illustrates another side of Israel, not often reported – a place where diverse cultures have co-existed for centuries in close creative harmony through, among other things, music.

LOCATION Aga Khan Museum Auditorium 77 Wynford Drive

DATE: Thurs. Mar. 12, 8:00pm

ADMISSION: $25-$30

INFO/TICKETS: 416.646.4677 www.ashkenaz.ca


Supported by:

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ISRAELI JAZZ SHOWCASEAnat Cohen QuartetKobi Hass Quartet Guy Mintus Trio

Toronto Downtown Jazz is pleased to present the second annual Israeli Jazz Showcase, this year featuring outstanding Israeli artists from at home and abroad. Toronto-based Kobi Hass leads a quartet of local musicians; New York-based pianist Guy Mintus leads a trio of America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarship winners; and in her first Toronto appearance under her own name, internationally acclaimed clarinettist and saxophonist Anat Cohen performs with her quartet.

LOCATION The Rex Jazz and Blues Bar 194 Queen Street West

DATES: Wed. Mar. 18 – 6:30 pm 6:30 pm – Kobi Hass Quartet 8:15 pm – Guy Mintus Trio 10 pm – Anat Cohen Quartet

ADMISSION: $20

INFO/TICKETS: Tickets available at the door only on the night of the performance. Cash sales only. 416.598.2475

Presented by:

Supported by:

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TWO ROOM APARTMENT By and with: Niv Sheinfeld & Oren LaorBased on the 1987 dance work by Nir Ben Gal and Liat DrorMusic: Ori Vidislavski (original music), Elton John, Vains of Jenna, Artistic advisor: Keren Levi, Costumes: Niv Sheinfeld & Oren Laor, Lights: Netta KorenCoproduction with Centre National de la Danse (Paris) and Grand Theater (Groningen)Duration: 50 minutes Best Performance of the Year 2013 –

Israeli Dance Critics’ Circle

Two Room Apartment brings Sheinfeld & Laor to the stage for a duet that reflects on their relationship as partners in life and as creators. The work examines boundaries in various contexts: physical borders such as between territories or between two rooms, but also non-physical borders, such as between life and performance, and boundaries the individual sets for himself. This is a new, contemporary reading of the 1987 performance created by Liat Dror and Nir Ben Gal, which is considered a milestone in independent Israeli choreography.

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LOCATION Dancemakers Centre for Creation 9 Trinity Street Studio #313 (3rd floor)

DATE: Thurs. Feb. 26 – 8pm Sat. Feb. 28 – 8pm Sun. Mar. 1 – 3pm Master Class for Dancers Fri. Feb. 27 – 1pm to 4pm

ADMISSION: $25 General, $20 Students & Seniors

INFO/TICKETS: dancemakers.org 416.367.1800

Presented by:

Supported by:

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D A N C E

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THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH: IN CONVERSATION WITH AYELET TSABARIEufemia Fantetti speaks with Ayelet Tsabari, author of The Best Place on Earth

The author of The Best Place on Earth (HarperCollins) reads from her book and speaks of writing about the Israel rarely seen in the news. By giving voice to characters who are mainly young, Mizrahi and secular, while also depicting their universal struggles, Tsabari grants readers an intimate look at Israel’s vibrant and multi-layered society. Tsabari will share some of the challenges she faced writing about her homeland in her second language.

The conversation will be followed by a Q&A. Books will be available for sale.

L E T T E R SPresented by:

LOCATION Ben McNally Books 366 Bay Street

DATE: Tue. Feb. 3 – 6pm

ADMISSION: Free

INFO/TICKETS: Ben McNally Bookstore 416.361.0032

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GETT: THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM

France|Germany|Israel 2014, 116 minsHebrew & French with English subtitlesDir. Ronit Elkabetz & Shiomi ElkabetzCast: Ronit Elkabetz, Menashe Noy, Simon Abkarian, Sasson Gabai

Winner of Best Film at the 2014 Jerusalem Film Festival and Israel’s submission for the 2015 Academy Awards.

Viviane Amsalem (Ronit Elkabetz, The Band’s Visit) desperately craves a divorce from her controlling husband, but since there is no civil divorce in Israel, she is at the mercy of her unpredictable husband and the rabbinical courts. The airtight script balances the indignities that Viviane is forced to endure with moments of Kafkaesque humour that underscore the absurdity of a 21st Century woman whose freedom is curtailed by archaic biblical laws. A powerful critique of faith and gender politics in Israel.

Coffee and tea will be available in theatre immediately prior to screening.

LOCATION Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk 5095 Yonge Street

DATE: Sun. Feb. 22 – 1pm & 4pm

ADMISSION: $15, cash only at the door.

INFO/TICKETS: www.tjff.com

Presented by:

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LOCATION Al Green Theatre Miles Nadal JCC 750 Spadina Avenue

DATE: Sun. Feb. 15 – 4:00pm & 7:30pm

ADMISSION: $15 General, $10 Young adults (18-35)

INFO/TICKETS: Box Office opens one hour before screening times.

All single tickets are cash sale only and subject to availability.

[email protected] 416.924.6211 ext. 606

THE MATCHMAKER (PA’AM HAYITI)Israel 2010, 122 mins Hebrew with English subtitles Dir. Ari Nesher Cast: Adir Miller, Maya Dagan, Dror Keren

It’s Haifa in the summer of ’68. Sixteen-year-old Arik finds himself working for a mysterious matchmaker, a survivor. This is 1960s Israeli society, where echoes of the Holocaust meet the summer of free love. An alluring and joyous, yet sobering coming-of-age comedy/drama that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Guest speaker: Professor Kalman Weiser, Silber Family Professor of Modern Jewish Studies, York University.

Presented by:

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ISRAELI FILM SERIES

AVIVA, MY LOVE (Aviva Ahuvati) Israel, 2006, 107 minsHebrew with English subtitlesDir. Shemi Zarhin; Cast: Asi Levi, Rotem Abuhab, Levana Finkelstein, Dror Keren Aviva is a hotel cook who has an impressive but secret talent for writing. With her sister Anita’s encouragement, Aviva’s writing is brought to the attention of Oded, a well-known writer, who takes her under his wing, promising to turn her into an accomplished author. The journey to making her dream come true changes Aviva’s life and that of those she loves: her unemployed husband, her unhappy children, her unstable mother and especially Anita, a free spirit with dreams of her own.

JELLYFISH (Meduzot) Israel, 2007, 78 mins Hebrew with English subtitles Dir. Shira Geffen and Etgar Keret Cast: Sarah Adler, Nikol Leidman, Gera Sandler Tel Aviv. A portrait of a messy world in which all the characters scrape by as best they can, looking for love, for something to remember or to forget...

LOCATION Elizabeth Beeton Auditorium Toronto Reference Library 789 Yonge Street

DATES: Aviva, My Love Mon. Mar. 16 – 5:30pm Discussion to follow

Jellyfish Mon. Mar. 23 – 5:30pm Discussion to follow

ADMISSION: Free

Presented by:

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FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN29Dvora Barzilai9am-9pm MNjcc

30Dvora Barzilai9am-9pm MNjcc


1Festival Opening Reception 3pm-5pm JMG

Dvora Barzilai9am-7pm MNjcc



The Best Place on Earth: In Conversation with Ayelet Tsabari6pm BMB


Marathon (English)7:30pm TC


Marathon (Hebrew w/ English ST)7:30pm TC


Marathon (English)7:30pm TC


National Arts Centre Orchestra 8pm RTH



Asaf Avidan w/ Special Guests Doors 8pm OH







The Matchmaker4pm & 7:30pm MNjcc




19Dvora Barzilai(closing day) 9am-9pm MNjcc

20 21 22Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem 1pm & 4pm CCEW

23 24 25 26Two Room Apartment8pm DM

27Two Room Apartment: Master Class for Dancers1pm-4pm DM

28Two Room Apartment8pm DM

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LEGEND/VENUE ADDRESSES AKM=Aga Khan Museum Auditorium 77 Wynford Drive BMB=BEN McNALLY BOOKS 366 Bay StreetCCEW=CINEPLEX CINEMAS EMPRESS WALK 5095 Yonge Street

DM=DANCEMAKERS CENTRE FOR CREATION 9 Trinity Street -Studio 313 (Distillery District) EBA= ELIZABETH BEETON AUDITORIUM, TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY 789 Yonge StreetJMG=JULIE M. GALLERY 15 Mill Street (Distillery District)

MARCH SCHEDULE

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN1Two Room Apartment3pm DM

2 3 4 5 6 7 8Apples from the Desert2pm TCA

9 10The Ehud Ettun Trio 9:30pm RJB

11 12Diwan Saz Interfaith Ensemble 8pm AKM

13 14 15

16Israeli Film Series Aviva, My Love 5:30pm EBA

17 18Israeli Jazz Showcase6:30pm RJB

19 20 21 22

23Israeli Film Series Jellyfish 5:30pm EBA

24 25 26 27 28 29

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MNjcc= MILES NADAL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE 750 Spadina Avenue (at Bloor)OH=THE OPERA HOUSE 735 Queen Street EastRJB=THE REX JAZZ AND BLUES BAR 194 Queen Street West

RTH=Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe StreetTC=THE THEATRE CENTRE 1115 Queen Street WestTCA=TORONTO CENTRE FOR THE ARTS 5040 Yonge Street

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SUPPORTERS

David Green and family

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GOLD SPONSORS

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BRONZE SPONSORS

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february-march 2015 | toronto image: dvora barzilai about the canada-israel cultural foundation the...

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