Being the eternal optimist, I think about hope a lot of the time. I hope that my family, friends, colleagues and community are healthy and happy; not only surviving during this global pandemic but also thriving. I hope for the day that we will be able to visit family and friends, providing real time hugs and displays of affection without wearing masks and practicing social distancing. I hope for the day that our entire country and world is vaccinated and that our scientists and medical researchers find the most effective response and prevention of the variants and other global health catastrophes. I hope for the day that we are truly inclusive and that racism and anti-Semitism are words that generations in the future have only heard about and not experienced. I hope for a world where we are kinder to each other and our planet.
I hope for all our members, staff, volunteers and program participants to return to the Bernard Betel Centre in good health and happy to be back to share in the wonderful programs and services the Centre has to offer. I hope that each of us sitting around our Passover, Easter and holiday tables this year are able to reflect on the beauty of life and not just the horror and plagues.
I hope to welcome all of you back personally after we are advised by Toronto Public Health and our Board of Directors that we can return to the Centre and begin offering our on-site programs once again. Wishing all of you a healthy, happy holiday full of hope and wonderment.
Happy Passover, Chag Pesach Kasher V’Sameach!
Gail Gould
Executive Director
O’mayn! I have enjoyed the Memoir Group with Carolyn Peters on Wednesday afternoons, at the Betel and Online. It has been the highlight of the week with Carolyn’s leadership and the
socializing with the other writers.