Campaign Falls Short

VANCOUVER — The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver said its 2008 campaign raised $7.2 million, $800,000 short of its goal and $300,000 less than the previous year. Federation CEO Mark Gurvis blamed the economic climate, saying the number of pledges, 3,574, was down from 3,702 in 2007, when $7.5 million was raised. Allocations to beneficiary agencies won’t change, and the federation has reduced its operating costs and will look for “additional budget reductions,” Gurvis said. The 2008 campaign result marks an end to six straight years of growth, starting in 2002.

Graffiti At York U

TORONTO — Jewish groups at York University say anti-Semitic graffiti found March 11 in a men’s washroom in York’s student centre shows the campus atmosphere for Jews is “toxic.” One message read: “Boycott Israeli Apartheid.” Another replied, “Why? So you can help prove that Jews really can get away with whatever they want?” A complaint was filed with security. Hasbara at York president Aaron Rosenberg said there is a “toxic environment” at York for Jewish students, who face regular intimidation and hostility. Hasbarah and Hillel want York president Mamdouh Shoukri to publicly denounce all forms of anti-Semitism on campus.

Complaint Dismissed

WINNIPEG — A human rights complaint against B’nai Brith Canada that grew out of a 2003 conference it hosted in Winnipeg for emergency responders  about terrorism has been dismissed by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission after a five-year investigation. The complaint against B’nai Brith was filed by Shahina Siddiqui, executive director of the Islamic Social Service Association of the United States and Canada. It alleged comments made at the meeting were biased against Muslims. Siddiqui didn’t attend the conference but relied on reports from unnamed sources.

Hacker In Court

CALGARY — An Israeli computer whiz known as the Analyzer who once hacked into the Pentagon’s computers and is now alleged to be part of a multimillion-dollar global hacker ring faces extradition to the United States May 7. Ehud Tanenbaum, 29, was arrested Aug. 28 in Montreal and brought to Calgary to face charges related to a $1.8-million theft from a local financial institution. U.S. authorities allege he’s also involved in thefts from hundreds of financial institutions in Europe and elsewhere, a bail hearing heard this month. In 1998, he was sentenced to 15 months in jail in Israel for the Pentagon incident.

New Republic Sold

WINNIPEG — Facing a debt payment deadline, Canwest Global Communications, controlled by Winnipeg’s Asper family, said last week that it has sold the New Republic magazine back to the editor it bought it from in 2007. Terms of the deals weren’t disclosed, but analysts say Canwest bought the U.S. political  magazine from a group led by editor-in-chief Martin Peretz for $7 million in 2007. Canwest recently sold off its stake in the Score sports channel and hopes to sell five TV stations to raise money.