Shalom All,

The priorities of a person, a group of people, and most of all - a

community, are a mirror of the values and concepts that the community holds

dear. A community that puts an emphasize on discipline, order and strict

rules is sending out a message of values very different than a community

that strengthens pluralism, creativity and self expression. The famous,

albeit horrific, saying - "Where they burn books, they will burn people" -

is no coincidence. Our actions are a result of our values, and our values

are the basis of the culture we live in.

That's why, last night, I was especially moved by an event I attended in the

Jewish Community of Montreal. The community came together for a very

festive, beautiful gala evening, everyone dressed up to the nines, enjoying

splendid music, food and wine, to honor the 90th birthday of... the local

Jewish Public Library. Founded in 1914, the same year that the first world

war erupted, this very Jewish institution has become a pillar of Jewish

continuity and pluralism, a place where the Jewish community comes together,

learns, creates and discusses. If ever anyone had a doubt about the quality

of our values, if ever anyone questioned if we are indeed "The People of The

Book" and what that means, last night was a straight answer.

Whenever we celebrate, we send out a message about the cause of the

celebration itself. We are grateful for another year of enjoying the

existence of something, and that something is important enough for us to

mark it, own it, feel that it is part of who we are. How many communities

can say that they celebrate their library? Why is a library so important,

that the entire Jewish community celebrates its existence so lavishly? Is it

really just another fundraiser, or is there another message here - a message

that says something about the community?

A library is a pillar of human knowledge, a tribute to human thought and

creativity, and as long as it is kept by a community without anyone allowing

this important institution to be abused by evil, it is a source of human

wisdom and development. From the burning of the great library in Alexandria,

through the burning of vast book collections during the Inquisition, to the

burning of books of thought during World War Two, it has always been the

same: Every time Libraries - be them in formal institutions or private

collections - were burnt by evil, civilization itself was at risk. Books

represent thought, thought is the reson-d'etre of man, and when one burns -

the later dies.

Last night was a tribute to the opposite message: we are indeed "the People

of The Book", and we celebrate the birthday of a library. I could think of

no better way to celebrate human values, knowledge - and life itself.

Shabbat Shalom,

Liat