It has been quite some time since we compared many of the substantial differences between living in Canada and the living in the USA. Having recently attended the spectacular State Fair, which annually is presented by the grade-four class at Yeshivat Noam, we once again felt the pride and privilege that we all should feel by living in the “good old USA.” The excitement of the children who were broken into groups representing various states was contagious. Colonel Sanders was there representing Kentucky, a Cavalier tee shirt was worn by a student representing Ohio, a representative of the state of South Carolina informed us that although Georgia is considered the “peach tree state” it is really a mistake and the title goes to South Carolina (live and learn). The state of Washington was represented by one student dressed as Russell Wilson, a well-known Seattle Seahawks player, both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were representatives of the state of South Dakota, reminding us of the beauty of Mt. Rushmore. As part of the presentation we were treated to the classes’ excited voices singing “Nifty Fifty.” We are hearing rumors lately that there will soon be a vote in the Senate as to whether or not Puerto Rico will receive statehood. Guess we heard the song just in time. Perhaps they will change it to “Tons of Fun in the Fifty-One.”
We still get goose bumps when we hear the Star-Spangled Banner being sung at public events. During the Pledge of Allegiance Nina always recalls that in her elementary school days her class stood at attention each morning making the pledge with their hands over their hearts facing the flag that hung in each classroom. It left an indelible mark on her. Never in Canada did we see such emotional fervor displayed by the citizens except perhaps during a hockey game when Canada was playing against the USA or Russia. The only other instance that we can remember is watching the throngs of people standing at attention as a fallen soldier was returned from a foreign country after having been killed in the line of duty. As the hearse drives from whichever airport the deceased has been flown into until they arrive at their eternal resting place the roads are paved with people standing in silence and the highway is renamed the “Highway of Heroes.”
Just today we discussed with Akiva, our son, what he felt the reason was that patriotism in Canada was so much less effusive than in the United States and he reminded us of a fact that we had not considered. He suggested that in the overall of Canada patriotism is alive and well. In Nova Scotia, Ontario, British Columbia and the other provinces people do feel the enthusiasm of showing pride in their country. He suggested that in Quebec the feeling is totally different. The feeling by many native Quebecer’s is that Quebec is not really a part of Canada. They would love to see it attain the status of being a separate country. Thus the overall lack of enthusiasm. We had never really given it much thought. What he said made so much sense to us.
Just today we read an article in the Montreal press that one of the large supermarkets in a Jewish area had removed many of the packages of food from the kosher section of the store because a consumer (spied and) contacted the Office de la Langue Francais (the language police) when he noticed that many of the kosher products’ ingredients were only written in English and not, as is required by law, in two languages, French and English… As a result and afraid of being fined heavily, the store removed many of the products from its shelves. Absurdity is not a strong enough word to describe this action. For anyone planning to visit Montreal in the coming summer months please be aware that this is an isolated incident that was caused by a maladjusted individual. It certainly is not the norm in any way in the city.
Living as we do in the “Land of the free and the home of the brave” where many of us are descendants of parents, grandparents or great-grandparents who came here years after facing atrocities and horrendous circumstances, we can only repeat over and over how fortunate we are to live in this amazing country. We are grateful daily for the choices and freedom that most of us take for granted. Perhaps this year on the Fourth of July when many are barbequing, parading, lying at a pool or at a beach we should close our eyes and look up at the sky and remember that there are those looking at the same sky in other parts of the world who are being oppressed, imprisoned, starved and will never know the luxury of what it means to be free and to breathe in the air of this wonderful, amazing country. Happy Fourth of July!
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick have been asked how long they will be “New in the Neighborhood.” Sorry, we are very slow and still find it confusing to get around some of the streets in Teaneck. We are trying hard to remember which wife goes with which husband. It will take us quite a while longer! Hope that satisfies everyone.
