Hello Everyone,
I hope your holidays and exams went well, but now it is time to get back to work. The first item on the day is to vote. Please go and vote at www.jewishwinnipeg.org/jsa.
My name is Robin Super and I am a candidate for President at the University of Winnipeg Jewish Students Association. I am a biochemistry student at the University of Winnipeg who is currently finishing a year abroad in our holy city, Jerusalem. I have leadership experience and dedication, fathering and/or assisting in the implementation of programs such as the BB retreat, Lunch with Lander Torah Classes and Tefillin Club. I was also extremely involved in the day to day functioning of JSA, providing creative ideas and bringing speakers to the university. My leadership experience, runs back to high school. I served as president at Kelvin in the year 2004-2005.
JSA is at a crossroads. A few years ago, we could barely muster enough people in order to have a real organization. Bagel days were even cancelled due to lack of involvement. Things however are turning for the better. A look at the JSA today and the competitive election is proving that we are going in the right direction. It would have been hard to have three people to show up for any event three years ago, let alone there are three great competitors for president and three for vice-president.
Nowadays, leadership is more important than ever. We need to expand and to consolidate our growth (as well as get a room). We have great programs which are well attended. The Interfaith Shabbat and the BB retreat serve us well in this regard. We need to place our group in the limelight in the University, in the City and the world. The time is now. I identify that our needs are membership and involvement. Your vote today is critical for guaranteeing the future and the growth of JSA.
The JSA is an organization which represents all students who identify as Jewish in a Manitoba post-secondary institution, regardless of whether they participate or avoid every function. I feel they must be better represented. We need to encourage more participation. To build membership we must start young. We must approach all Jewish students in all high schools, as well as use natural channels such as BBYO and the Summer camps. We must "rush" students into our organization. Our organization will be warm under my leadership. Anyone could feel free to participate, and be welcomed for his contribution no matter how big or small. We need a diverse membership with Jews who come from different lands, different politics, different religiosities, different sexual orientations and different educational backgrounds, to sit in the same room and to warmly relate to each other.
Partnerships are essential for our programming and provide a mutual assurance that our programs and joint activities will proceed. We need to partner more and to place JSA by connecting with inschool and out of school groups. My study in Jerusalem has allowed me to meet wonderful organizations as well as I personally know the USWA president. I have formed major partnerships in the past with such as the Muslim Students Association. JSA will partner with more people as we are part of the University environment not an Island.
The Jewish Students Association is a Zionist organization (there I said it). It is our role for us diaspora Jews to promote and defend Israel. Israel should be promoted by its charity work, environmental innovation, partnerships with Israeli students and organizations. We must show the true image of Israel. We can use our events, Israel days as well a contest for Israeli goods. An Idea which I had was that we could have an Israeli wine and film festival night. We could have a bookclub discussing pertinent Israeli authors. With the exception of the wine night and Israel days all programs require a lower budget in terms of time and money.
Israel unfortunately, needs to be defended from ugly racist events such as the Israel Apartheid Week. My plan is first to attempt to produce a gentleman's agreement with the Muslim Students Association that the university is a peaceful place and the conflict should be kept off campus. Educational events, both on zionism and issues as well as internal speakers for members would arm us. My training with Hasbara Fellowships as well as life in Israel, renders me well armed against the verbal pogrom. All participating members should receive training in this regard. Lastly the JSA would serve as an advocate for all jews in confronting faculty and staff with unjustified outbursts of anti-semitism. After receiving the specific date, time, context and quote the JSA would act on the anonymous student's behalf.
Judaism is important in terms of the JSA. We must promote an awareness of religion. We should still hold tefillin clubs, and rabbi classes from all streams. We need to make Judaism more practical with our lives. We should ensure our community by creating regular rotating dinners and tischs on Friday nights. We should try to schedule our bigger programs around the holidays.
Human Rights and social action are very important issues that lurk here. I weill work with the committees to ensure we have speakers on global issues, such as genocide or the environment. We also need to contribute, in voluntary as well as financial ways. We should focus on five areas; Winnipeg, Winnipeg-Jewish, Canada, Israel, and the World. JSA will be socially active next year, if I am president.
The most important need is low key fun activities. These activities melt the group together. I am for the hockey team continuing. I propose book clubs, dance nights, art classes as well as a weekly Just for fun activity such as billiards, bar night, hookah, bowling, bonfire etc.
Although if elected, I will be president, I will depend on your personal contributions and am open to new ideas. I am very approachable and happy to he questions, concerns, stories or just how your day was.
Do yourself and JSA a favour and vote for ROBIN SUPER for PRESIDENT of University of Winnipeg
You can contact me anytime at 2042722362, or at robinsuper@live.com. Join my group at http://www.facebook.com/people/Robin-Super/502535806#/group.php?gid=15825328... to learn more!
Have a great day and Remember……………………………….
A SUPER VOTE EQUALS A SUPER JSA
Yours Truly,
Robin Super
PS. Remember whoever makes the best VOTE SUPER poster wins a free dinner on me.
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