June 6, 2008 / 3 Sivan 5768

The Amazing Israel Race, started by USD/Hagshama, JNF and AZM in New York made its first ever stop in Toronto this week.

The race, which pitted four person teams in a sprint around the City of Toronto, provided students with the ability to explore many of Toronto's Jewish, Israeli and Zionist historical landmarks.

The Amazing Israel Race was launched for Israel Day hosted by Na'amaat Canada and the Canadian Zionist Federation. Teams raced from there to a variety of locations throughout the city over a 5 hour race. These sites included places like the first ever Hadassah bazaar, the synagogue which hosted David Ben Gurion's first ever speech in the city and the arena where the community rallied following Israel's Declaration of Independence.

Each team was made up of four people between the ages of 18-30. "Be a man, do the right thing", coming out on top. The first place team each won $500 dollar gift certificates from El Al. The 2nd place team, "The Isrealites", won themselves each an iPod shuffle filled with Israeli music. The 3rd place team, "Team Shovavim", won a 20 dollar gift certificates and an Israel @ 60 book.

The race culminated at the Toronto Zionist Centre with an awards presentation and barbecue.

The event was presented by USD/Hagshama of the WZO in collaboration with MASA Israel Journey and with the support of Hillel of Greater Toronto, Birthright Alumni Community, Betar Canada and the Israel Volunteer Program Centre of the Jewish Agency For Israel. Additionally the following organizations joined and help the program: Eastern Canada Region United Synagogue Youth, Canadian Zionist Federation, JNF, JUMP (Jewish Urban Meeting Place), Ben-Gurion University, Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University, IDC Herzliya, JSport, The Israeli Source, Tel Aviv University Overseas Student Program, Stand With Us, NJCL (National Jewish Campus Life, UJA Federation, and Source Imaging.

Event Description:

The Amazing Israel Race is a take of the popular CBS television reality series. This version pits teams of four made up of people aged 18-30 in a race around the city of Toronto. On their journey teams explore various sites with significant Jewish, Israeli and Zionist historical significance. At every station teams had to perform challenges in order to receive their next clue.

Race Locations and tasks:

Start -- Mel Lastman Square
The race began at Mel Lastman Square which was the site of this year's Israel Day which is an annual event put on by the Canadian Zionist Federation and Na'amaat Canada.

1st Stop -- Christie Pits Park
The first station stop was the site of a famous riot in 1933 during which Jewish immigrants to Toronto were harassed by an anti-Semitic Aryan gang. It is significant because the Italian community stood up for the Jews right to play baseball in the park. It is also across the street from the original United Jewish People's Order original headquarters.

2nd Stop -- Aroma Espresso Bar
The second stop is Aroma, which first opened its doors to Toronto in 2007.

3rd Stop -- Varsity Arena
Varsity Arena was the location of the first ever Hadassah Bazaar in Toronto.
Task: Teams had to search through boxes of mail to find a postcard addressed to them from Henrietta Szold, their next clue (broken into four pieces) was printed at the bottom of each postcard.

4th Stop -- Park Hyatt Hotel
This location is significant because it was here in 1967 that the Jewish community gathered in an emergency meeting to raise money for the State of Israel prior to the war. They were able to raise over 2 million dollars in one evening.
Task: Teams had to raise money for the JNF using provided "pushka" boxes until their box weighed over 300 grams.

5th Stop -- Wolfond Centre
This is the heart of Jewish campus life in downtown Toronto. It serves as the home of Hillel of Greater Toronto as well as the Annex Shul.
Task: Using the resource library teams had to answer a 10 question quiz about Israel and Zionism.

6th Stop -- Anshei Minsk Synagogue
This synagogue is located in the heart of the original Jewish community in Toronto (Kensington Market) and is one of the cities oldest.

7th Stop -- Maple Leaf Gardens
This arena was the site of the huge community rally in 1948 to celebrate the creation of the State of Israel.
Task: Teams had to give a passionate reading of the Israeli Declaration of Independence in English as if they were David Ben Gurion in Independence Hall.

8th Stop -- Queen's park
This is the provincial legislature for Ontario; here participants learnt about Samuel Factor, the first ever elected Jewish Member of Parliament.
Task: Teams had to get 25 signatures on an anti-terrorism petition.

9th Stop -- Beth Tzedek Synagoguge
This synagogue was made famous because it was here that David Ben Gurion first spoke upon visiting Toronto. The speech he gave was made to over 4000 students and was completely in Hebrew.

Finish -- Toronto Zionist Centre
The Toronto Zionist Centre has been the home to a variety of Jewish and Zionist organizations in Toronto for over 40 years.

Thank you to all the people who helped to make this amazing program possible.

Sincerely yours,

Noah Farber
Canadian Director USD/Hagshama
World Zionist Organization

Ofer Gutman
USD/Hagshama Shaliach to North America
World Zionist Organization