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JANUARY 2003 If would you like to understand more about the situation in the Middle East. you will find Peten. Ginsberg's lecture at Parkview Village Auditorium on ian. 24 both interesting and informative. Peter grew up in Montreal and at seventeen went to Israel for six years. three of which were spent in the lsraelizanny. While he is leWish, 'he made a concerted effort to get to know people from all cultures in this contentious land; Understandingm He and his family now live in Newmarket gnd he works as a mechanical S' I m Stouflville This Month The grand finale, a fabulous firework display, begins around 8:45 pm. loin this great community tradition. The Popular event is a personal initiative by the Mayor. who has. once again enlisted the help of a host of willing volunteers. including members of the Lions Club and local volunteer firefighters. The fun starts at around 6:30 pm. and includes horse-drawn sleigh rides. a bonfire. outdoor skating rink inthe park. and fun and games for the kids at Latcham Hall, along with hot chocolate and cider. ' For the eighth consecutive year, ‘ Mayor- Wayne Emmerson invites everyone in the community to his New Year‘s Eve celebration for local families. Wayng’s New Year’s Ewe world , _ ‘ 7 _ , , v 91 Denis Mfigwo, engineer, but hi sslon ls mmmmum ”(mm-(Wm. studying. writing and lecturing about the Middle East. He has even published a novel of a love affair between an Israeli Jew and a Palestinian woman. On Dec. 14 I attended his lectute at Dr Hadash Synagogue entitled “‘48". about the beginning 'and formation of the state of Israel. His approach was evenhanded, logical, informative- and at times even humorous He likes to deal with the myths of the Middle East. For example, the prevailing idea that the I948 war for Israel was fought between the huge armies from the rich Arab countries who were beaten back" by a small army of rag-tag but tough Sabras ~- lews born in Israel. named after the tough, prickly fruit of the Sabra cactus. As for the Israelis. the homegrown Israelitroops from the Hagganah and lrgun had been fighting the British for years. After WWII many battleâ€"hardened. well-trained and knowledgeable soldiers who had fought for all the Allied annles bolstered these troops. They were mostly lews but there, were also many non-Jews. ls’rael bought arms on the European black market as well, but their expertise enabled them to buy better'quallty equipment. In fact. the total number of soldiers in the Arab armies was only about 23.000..They we e armed with defective flipment. which was bou on the black market from Europe in the wake of WWII. The Arab countries sat out that war so their troops were not battle-hardened.» * Any experience they had had was in protecting their leaders ‘from angry mobs. The professional lordanian troops were the exceptiOn, and any Arab victories came at the hands of these troops. .One such sho‘ot took place at a British Air Force base in .southem England. The cameras. were set up and rolling. The Air Force planes took off, and two of them just kept going until they arrived in Israel, never to return. As you can imagine, this was not well advertised at the'time. Peter's presentation. entitled “Understanding the Middle East" takes place Friday, Ian 24 at 7. 30 pm. at Parkview Village and is sponsored by Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville. We invite everyone to come out and learn more. ' Contrary to popular press opinion at e time. many informed eople expected Israel to succeed in its quest. Peter's presentation provides insight into the situation at the time and enables people to discuss the Middle East more openly and with less rancour. A lighter moment in the Dec. l4 lecture came when he described how the Israeli Air Force got their first two planes. ln I946 and I947 war movies were very popular, and many of them were shot with the cooperation of the Allied forces. “HAPPY NEW YEAR” Joshua Bouwmeister, 7 months, looks as if he can't uite decide what he would like from Santa this ristmas. Young Joshua attended a special Breakfast with Santa at the Ballantrae Community Centre. The event was hosted by the Ballantrae Sparks, Brownies and Guides and proceeds will be 'used to support free Guiding-sponsored events in the mmrqunity " All I want for christmas "WHIICHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH' - HAPPY