TORONTO — Although Carl and Edith Newton have been to Israel eight or nine times, a recent tour geared for active seniors really opened their eyes.

Participants in the Canadian Friends of Bar-Ilan University and Beit Halochem Canada mission.

TORONTO — Although Carl and Edith Newton have been to Israel
eight or nine times, a recent tour geared for active seniors really
opened their eyes.

The Newtons, 82 and 80 respectively, along with 25 other participants ­– 23 were seniors – took part in the recent Canadian Friends of Bar-Ilan University and Beit Halochem Canada mission, which took them across the country.

Along the tour they visited two Israel Defence Force bases, Beit Halochem’s facilities in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and Bar-Ilan University. They also visited the Knesset, received a briefing from MK Nachman Shai and watched proceedings from the visitor’s gallery.

Edith Newton said that one of their “biggest eye-openers” was their stop at Bar-Ilan.

“First of all, we were impressed with the campus. The architecture is unreal. What really impressed us though is the work that goes on there.”

They met with representatives from several departments,  she said, and enjoyed a performance by music students. “The school serves Israeli and Arab students, and a number of Arab students were performing.

“We also learned about the legal aid department led by disabled women, and about the Alzheimer’s research going on. It was unbelievable to us to see everything happening there.”

Newton said that although she had never before supported the school, she will now. “They are doing work that no one in the world is doing. I believe that any cures found [for Alzheimer’s] will be found in Israel.”

Bertha Weisz, 82, who travelled with her husband Isidor, said they were hesitant, at first, about joining the tour, “but it turned out great. Dov Altman [executive vice-president and CEO of Canadian Friends of Bar-Ilan University] took care of us like we were his parents. He made sure everyone was up and out and where they were supposed to be.”

She praised the work of both the university and Beit Halochem. “We had never seen this part of Israel. It was amazing to see their work. Both organizations are unbelievable.”