In Quebec, the colors blue and white are significant. They are the colors of the flag representing the Province itself. Whenever we would pass a blue and white flag hanging from a home, we automatically would feel a tinge of hesitation and apprehension. Those supporting the blue and white—more than likely the Parti Quebecois, which is a political party aiming to separate from Canada and have its own country—are people who would most probably not welcome an English-speaking Montrealer into their home and would be happy for them to move to another province or country (as we did).
It is the political party currently in power whose mandate, among other things, has been and is to ensure the prominence of the French language. They have become famous recently for what has become known as the “pastagate” affair—where a restaurant in Quebec City was fined for using the word pasta on their menu. It was not a French word and therefore unacceptable! Pretty crazy, we would all agree. It even made the news on CNN to the embarrassment of many. We are not sure of what word was found to replace pasta. It has no French equivalent that sounds as good! (Ed. note: nouilles is the word for noodles, pate is the word for pasta.)
How ironic it is that the Blue and White of the Israeli flag represents for all of us the excitement and knowledge that we have a homeland representing freedom where your language of choice is whatever you desire—where your store front can have a sign in any language, where you can choose to send your child to any school, and where every Jewish person no matter where they come from, will be welcome to become a part of this vibrant democratic nation.
As an absentee Bubbie and Zaidie for many years, we listened with excitement as we would hear about the annual parade down 5th Avenue—the Israel Day Parade. Each year there was a reason for not being able to attend. Yeah, finally—we will march and participate proudly with our children. We will publicly show little Israel how proud we are of those living there and at the same time how proud we are to be Jews. We are one with them. This freedom is not something to be taken for granted—to live in a country that allows us to express our excitement over what is truly our homeland is unmatched anywhere else. Even if it pours we plan to be there to share in this great experience. You don’t know what you are missing until you do not have it. Say hello on June 2nd if you see us—we will be there, glowing.
About the Glicks – Rabbi Mordechai Glick enjoyed a long career in the rabbinate and academia – serving as the rabbi of a number of shuls in the Montreal area and teaching psychology full-time at Champlain College. Nina Glick led Yachad in Montreal for over 10 years and was closely involved in the Special Needs Community. The Glicks have three children in the NYC area daughters and sons-in law living in the Teaneck, Bergenfield area together with nine grandchildren. They have participated frequently in the OU Marriage Retreat
by Nina and Mordechai Glick
