FAST Initiatives - Related Reading

June 2, 2005 (Canadian Jewish News)

Inspiring FAST action
Editorial

From the earliest of mishnaic times, our ancient sages taught us to acknowledge the good that others do for us. Where possible, good deeds should not go unrecognized. This principle is called hakarat hatov, literally meaning, recognition of the good. The “good” in the expression, of course, refers not only to the benefit that is conferred but also to the individual or individuals who actually confer that benefit. In the spirit then, of the simple civil and human decency that underlies the notion of hakarat hatov, it is incumbent upon us to thank Elizabeth and Tony Comper.

The Compers have organized a coalition of influential Canadian business leaders which they call FAST (Fighting Anti-Semitism Together). They are well-positioned to prevail upon their friends and others in the corporate world. Tony Comper is the chief executive officer of the Bank of Montreal.

“I had to do something,” Elizabeth Comper told The CJN recently in explaining why she brought the idea for the campaign to her husband. She had resolved to try to do something about the rise of anti-Semitic incidents that rocked Canadian society in 2004. “This isn’t just a Jewish issue. This is an issue of every single person living in Canada. If we can change or move one child, then it’s all worth it, Comper said.”

“We’re sending out the message that the Jewish people are not alone,” Tony Comper told The CJN. “We have a prestigious group associated with the project, an impressive roster. And we hope it will broaden over time.”

With money collected from corporate donors and in conjunction with Canadian Jewish Congress, the Compers will launch an educational project this fall targeted at public schools that aims to educate both Jewish and non-Jewish students about eradicating anti-Semitism.

We wish the Compers every success in their campaign. And thank them for the goodness of their actions on our behalf, that is, on behalf of the tolerant, inclusive, multi-ethnic Canadian society that we hold so dear.

Reproduced with permission from the Canadian Jewish News

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