Category: Lifestyle

Mitch Wolfe Rocks with Rudolf Schenker of Famous German heavy metal band, “Scorpions”

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Lifestyle

One of my favorite heavy metal bands, the “Scorpions” played last night at the Air Canada Centre and post gig, dropped into the d/bar of the Toronto Four Seasons, where they were staying.

I am with Rudolf Schenker, founder of the band and its rhythm guitarist-Scorpions has been playing and touring the world for over 50 years.

This band is considered one of the most famous and longest existing bands in the world.

Check out the YouTube version of their classic, “Rock You Like a Hurricane”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxdmw4tJJ1Y

And the YouTube version of its terrific and most popular melodic rock ballad, “Winds of Change”, a haunting ballad about the fall of the Berlin Wall, end of Soviet Union occupation of Eastern Europe and especially Eastern Germany, in the late 80s and early 90s. One of the best selling singles in the history of rock and roll.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4RjJKxsamQ

Check out the full lyrics to “Rock Me Like a Hurricane”. It is still rocks and is oh so sexy after all these years.

 Rock You Like A Hurricane”

It’s early morning
The sun comes out
Last night was shaking
And pretty loud
My cat is purring
And scratches my skin
So what is wrong
With another sin
The bitch is hungry
She needs to tell
So give her inches
And feed her well
More days to come
New places to go
I’ve got to leave
It’s time for a show

Here I am, rock you like a hurricane
Here I am, rock you like a hurricane

My body is burning
It starts to shout
Desire is coming
It breaks out loud
Lust is in cages
Till storm breaks loose
Just have to make it
With someone I choose
The night is calling
I have to go
The wolf is hungry
He runs the show
He’s licking his lips
He’s ready to win
On the hunt tonight
For love at first sting

Here I am, rock you like a hurricane
Here I am, rock you like a hurricane
Here I am, rock you like a hurricane
Here I am, rock you like a hurricane

 

I have a funny story about my experience with Rudy that night. Now Rudy is very well known in Europe. He is a good looking dude on the other side of 65. I have been led to believe that he is still very popular with European women, who post gig, usually throw themselves at this dude and his band mates.

However, in Toronto, he is not very well known. Rudy and his manager were sitting at table in the d/bar, holding court.

And not one fan or comely woman approached Rudy’s table.

I was sitting at a nearby table with a bunch of 20 something public relations and event planning young women, who were celebrating a night out on the town.

These women were oblivious to Rudy’s charm and his international fame.

Rudy sent his manager over to me to invite me and my group over to his table.

I explained to the women, who Rudy was and that he was a big deal in music, comparable to a German Mick Jagger.

Once the young women realized that Rudy and the Scorpions had just rocked the Air Canada Centre and that Rudy was a mega international rock star, their interest in

Rudy soared.

Rudy turned to me and privately thanked me in his broken English for introducing me to these lovely and now very interested women.

He slapped me on the back and praised me for being a great wing man.

Hustling gorgeous women for international rock stars, I then mentally checked off that one on my bucket list.

Rudy then invited me up to his Four Seasons Hotel luxury suite, with the above-noted women.

A vision of a wild Euro-drug propelled orgy, crossed my mind. Momentarily.

But reason and prudence prevailed. I diplomatically declined, citing an early morning biz meeting the next day.

But the memory of right winging for a mega rock star, will linger for many a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Helene Rousse Casts Her Formidable Net at TIFF 2015

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Entertainment, Lifestyle

Through mere happenstance, in various TIFF events, I kept running into the very successful casting head, Helene Rousse, senior managing partner of the Montreal-based The Helene Rousse Total Casting Agency. After attending numerous TIFF films and their parties, Helene, (who reminds me of the also multi-talented French actress, Julie Delpy), was just ready to let her hair down and tell us her story of her successful ascension to one of the top casting people in the business. So I met with Helene over coffee on the second floor of the very light and airy TIFF Lighthouse coffee shop/bar.

Helene has operated her company for over fifteen years. Her company has provided casting services to some of the most well-known and successful Canadian and American producers and directors of feature films, animation films, documentaries, television series, made for tv movies, video games, music videos- Together with print, voice, reality-tv and variety entertainment.

Apparently, her business is also taking off in this fair city of Toronto-the undisputed Canadian capital of entertainment.

http://www.totalcasting.ca/home.html

I have personally urged Helene (the face that launched a thousand film clips) to look westward, young woman and establish a beachhead, here in the true Hollywood North.

Carpe Diem! Helene. Profitez de la Vie! ( Doesn’t it sound so much sexier in French?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Klubbing with Kylie Kardashian Jenner in Toronto’s Yorkville’s “70 Down” During TIFF

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Entertainment, Lifestyle

Hey, a few nights ago, I was klubbing with Kylie Friggin Jenner kutting a rug on the dance floor at a little known Middle Eastern-themed sheesha (hookah) lounge “70 Down”. Kylie was surrounded by her peeps and numerous heavyset black bodyguards, (see photo of Kylie and boyfriend Tyga).

Truth be told, my friend had initially spotted Kylie emerging from the kan, apparently “powdering” her nose. (triple entendre, intended). Kylie greeted her with, “Hi, girl, how is it going”? Before my friend could suggest they do some Tequila shots together, Kylie was surrounded by a big muscular dude, presumably one of her personal bodyguards. Further discussion with the Kylie was not encouraged.

(I was hoping to learn if the Kylie was going to dump her then boyfriend, the rapper, Michael Ray Stevenson, aka, “Tyga”.)

Drat! So instead of an up close and personal pic of Kylie, (I feel we are already on a first name basis)-Here is a pic of me at the klub, (total fish out water) at the bar with my new best friend, Amir, a well-known real estate broker from Thornhill. Or a very successful Middle Eastern arms dealer, or both.

Kylie and Tygamlw@ 70 down
mlw+70 down 2

Mitch Wolfe Tracks Down Toronto’s Best Outdoor Patio Restaurant and Bar- Kasa Moto

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Food

There are many beautiful outdoor patio restaurants and bars in Toronto. This past summer I set myself a goal of trying to frequent as many of these fine places as my liver and wallet can bear. Others climb mountains, run marathons, even engage in Iron Man Triathlons ( more about that in another post).

I do interesting restos and bars.

Toronto has a plethora of fabulous patios. From Terronis on Yonge, south of Summerhill, to Hazelton One in Yorkville, the Four Seasons d/bar, the Hyatt Park Plaza rooftop bar and the Ritz and the Thompson on Wellington.

But personal favorite is the new Kasa Moto, on Yorkville ( the former Remys). This amazing place is a two storey restaurant and bar, serving deliciously innovative and beautifully presented Japanese food and original and unforgettable Asian-inspired cocktails.

Attached are some random photos of Jean, the sommelier and the lovely, talented and very smart Chloe, a Queens University student, who when not a school or serving at Kasa, is an actress and model. She has written, produced, and starred in her own short film and she is a supporting actress in another independent film, making the festival circuit in the US.

Another friend of mine is Charlotte, Kasa’s operations manager ( of the long black dress). You may also catch the stunning back of Charlotte in the wide lens outdoor second floor patio shot. She is the striking figure striding purposely in the yellow/black number in the centre of the photo. I have come to know Charlotte well. She is in many ways the face of Kasa Moto. Charlotte, a former artist and model, is very intelligent, organized, efficient, warm and diplomatic with incredible style and taste.

Charlotte, her colleague Franco and such terrific staff as Abby, Chloe, and my favorite bartenders Ace, Manny and the wonderful Chivy, make a point of remembering all the guests who regularly grace the upstairs patio.

This is truly a place, where everyone knows your name and your favorite drink. In my case, Diet Coke, with a twist of lemon. ( Hey, I am strange that way).

This post is a mere amuse bouche. An appetizer. In future posts, I hope to fully explore this wonderful place in terms of its unique food, its atmosphere and the people- some of the most fascinating and quirky cast of characters- male and female in Toronto.

003kasa moto patio 7kasa moto thursday nite

 

Weber’s Charcoal BBQ Burgers on Highway 11 – A Great Ontario Cottage Tradition

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Food

For over 15 years, I have been heading to cottage country on the well-travelled Highway 11. Always passing the famous Weber’s sign, its burger stand ( a large one story trailer-like building) and typically its long line of parents, kids and grandparents waiting to sample Weber’s signature BBQ take-out burgers and fries.

Finally, this summer I decided to bite the bullet, or the cheeseburger, as the case may be. In the past, I was always late rushing to cottage country and I never seemed to have the time or inclination to stop at Webers. For fear I would lose a minute or 60 minutes of valuable and rare cottage time.

But this year, I am a single guy. I have time on my hands. In fact, nothing but time.

So for the first time in years, I have been checking out what’s all the fuss with this long-standing and very successful burger stand.

This famous burger stand is located outside of the town of Orillia, about a ten minute drive to Muskoka cottage country, centred off the towns of Gravenhurst and Bracebridge. Or if you are coming from Toronto to Muskoka- Weber’s is the halfway point.

Or in answer to the plaintive cries of kids in the back seat, “Are we there, yet?”

No, but we’re half there and we’re at Weber’s. WooHoo!!!

Weber’s is also the “ go to” burger place for cottagers heading to Parry Sound, Haliburton, the Kawarthas, Huntsville, Lake of Bays and even further north along Highway 11- North Bay and beyond.

Weber’s has been in business at this location since 1963! Basically, serving burgers, fries, soft drinks and in association with local Kawartha Dairy ( which has an adjoining stand)- ice cream, shakes and smoothies.

There are many reasons for Weber’s success.

It is extremely well-run and organized. Notwithstanding the long lines, they move very quickly, because there appear to be an army of friendly young people efficiently taking your orders in line, coming back with the bill, taking your cash (Weber’s only takes cash and provides change on the spot) even before you enter the assembly line of cooks- indoors.

See photo of me under the sign with cheeseburger, fries with gravy and soft drink in hand.

In side there are more friendly and very helpful young men and women preparing your burgers and fries, and filling your individual order.

Older dudes. Grizzled grilling veterans seem to be manning the multiple BBQ grills.

Many parents grab the boxes of burgers, fries and drinks and head back into their cars to eat their lunch or dinner in transit. Other families can been seen eating at the various colorful picnic tables located in the front and the back of the Weber’s stand.

In case of rain, families can eat inside some really cool railway cars bought by Weber’s for this reason.

It is a great and warm site with many very happy campers and families.

The actual burger, though fresh and priced reasonably, is no Burger’s Priest burger, by a long shot, or any other of the boutique burger joints in town.

A Weber’s burger is on par with a Harvey’s burger. Well-made, fresh, average. Same goes for the fries. On par with McDonalds fries, and not even close to New York Fries, or so I am told.

But there is no dispute with Weber’s success or its longevity. It is open 10 months a year, except for January

February. And it always busy, even in the off season from October to December.

Weber’s gets you coming to cottage country and leaving cottage country.

Weber’s bought a portion of bridge, formerly associated with Toronto’s CN Tower and it supported the installation of this covered bridge over Highway 11, so cottagers leaving cottage country and heading south on Highway 11 back to Toronto can stop at a parking lot across from Webers. Cross over Highway 11 by bridge to Weber’s and grab burgers and fries for the trip back home.

What a brilliant and very practical business idea and practice!

Many Ontario companies and the Ontario government can learn a ton from this very successful company that provides fast and friendly service and a very consistent product at a reasonable price.

And in the process, creates family memories and traditions that last for decades.

How so Canadian!

Webers 2webers 3webers 4webers 6webers

Mitch “Miguel” Wolfe Finds the Best Latin American Resto in Toronto

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Food, Lifestyle

Hola! There are a million foodie stories in the Naked City, as there are restaurants, bistros and street food stalls. But there are very few truly great Latino restos. And I have tried most of them- from the oh so hip Ossington, to multi-cultural St. Clair, to the sticks of Scarborough and further west to the uber suburban outback called Mississauga.

ave maria 2

But by far the best Latino restaurant in all of Toronto and the Greater Toronto area, is the little known Colombian café and grocery, “Ave Maria”, on Bloor Street west, near Euclid, nestled strangely in the heart of Koreatown,

literally sandwiched between a Korean sandwich shop and a suspicious all night Korean “spa”. “That’s Koreatown, Jake.”

ave marie 7- store

The small space, seating about 20 customers, is brightly-coloured, lively and very warm. A tribute to the owner, Maria and her supremely talented husband, the chef, Alan.

The restaurant has been open for about year and has been widely successful in an environment, not known for non Asian food emporiums.

I of course went full Colombian (as opposed to full Brazilian) and tasted all their best dishes.

Such as their: (1) perfectly made empanada – a light, soft cornbread covering potatoes and beef with their home-made hot and spicy sauce on the side; (2) specialty, shrimp ceviche, containing large, juicy, fresh shrimps cooked with just the right amount of lime juice and red onions; (3) signature dish of their spicy hot tamale, full of beef, chicken and pork covered in a protective leaf; and finally (4) their tres leches white cake, consisting of regular milk, evaporated milk and condensed milk and many other hidden ingredients, served with a hot and strong Colombian coffee chaser.

Oh my, the combo of cake and coffee was amazing and heavenly.

For once, the price was very reasonable – under $30 per person. The service was very warm, patient and I learned a great deal about Colombian dishes, from Maria and Alan, seen in the photo below.

ave maria 9- owner maria

Note the brightly covered international storefront and vibrant and cozy soft interior. But the unique Colombian flavours were the thing. And Ave Maria delivered big time.

Randi Cogan-Shinder, Toronto’s Hottest Perfume Entrepreneur Triumphs Despite Poor Ontario Busi

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Lifestyle, Media, Politics

In Liberal Premier’s Wynne’s Ontario, small Ontario companies are being whacked with skyrocketing utility costs, higher taxes, user fees, increased labor costs, rising insurance premiums, ballooning transit costs and soul-destroying regulatory red tape.

Ontario may be a great place for fat cat public servants pulling down six figures and overgenerous pensions, but it ain’t the greatest place for innovative and aggressive entrepreneurs.

Unless you go by the name of Randi Cogan-Shinder, Toronto’s answer to New York’s beauty/fragrance/apparel powerhouse Tory Burch.

Despite overwhelming odds and the business-unfriendly governments of McGuinty and Wynne, Ms. Shinder’s fragrance and beauty companies have thrived during the last decade.

In 2002, Shinder, then based in Ottawa, launched her small beauty and fragrance company with her first product, called Clean, a very popular “fresh from the shower” scent.

Shinder than partnered with mega media star and singer Jessica Simpson on a beauty and fragrance line, “Dessert Beauty”, (based on edible flavors).

Shinder’s next big success was her development and marketing of the micro-collagen enhancer LipFusion which sold more than 2.5 million units within the first nine months of distribution.Within a few years, Shinder’s various fragrance and beauty products were sold in over forty-six countries and she and her company had become an international business success story.

By 2006, Randi’s little company had morphed into the very successful, multi-product Fusion Brands company- which in turn caught the attention of bio-chem billionaire Eugene Melnyk, ( and Ottawa Senators owner) who bought 55% of Fusion Brands, for millions of dollars.

Shinder, as CEO grew the company for another few years and then sold out her entire share of the company to Melnyk for many more millions of dollars in 2009.

Along the way, in recognition of her creativity, perseverance and entrepreneurial success, Shinder was named Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and she was awarded numerous other national and international honors in the beauty, fragrance and marketing areas.

Her story is a great rags-to(Nina)-Ricci story.

Okay, rags may be overstating it a bit.

But Shinder’s achievement is still impressive in a brutally competitive environment and especially in Ottawa,  a predominantly one industry town- better known for fat, old, white male senators supping at the public trough, than for fit, lean, whip smart female entrepreneurs eating their domestic and international competition for lunch.

Post buy-out, Shinder devoted herself to the raising of her two children, a daughter and son (now 18 and 17 years, respectively).

Now based in Toronto, in 2012 Shinder together with her business partner and good friend,  Michael Nyman, of California, CEO of one of the largest marketing and communications companies in the world, jumped back into the fragrance fray and started developing a new line of scents and beauty products for young women and for women, young at heart.

Last year, Shinder launched a brand new beauty and fragrance line called,” i smell great.”

Four scents: angel cake, beach babe, candy crush and wild honey.

Bottled or incorporated in one of five sleek products: eau de parfum, wellness water mist, soft body whip,  and reactive lush lip.

During my interview with Ms. Shinder, I personally experienced all four wonderful scents with all my senses.

Frankly, I had great difficulty choosing between my two faves-  wild honey and beach babe.

According to the “i smell great” website,  wild honey “ intoxicates with the gentle yet enticing scents of honey, brown sugar, tahitian vanilla, sweet nectar with a touch of sexy. This delicious and soothing combination is almost edible, and will kiss your skin with an irresistible and yummy sweetness.”

On the other hand, beach babe, “ intoxicates with the gentle yet enticing scents of tropical breezes, coconut cream, golden suntan oil with a touch of sunshine. Close your eyes and let the warmth of the sun soothe you as the waves and salt air take you away.”

Shinder solved my dilemma by recommending layering these two scents together, thus wild honey + beach babe = wild beach babe.

I told you this business woman was smart and had all the answers!

I also inquired of Ms. Shinder whether she was considering a male line of scents and products, for the discerning female partner. Such as:

“Bay Street Banker” intoxicates with the rich new car scent of Porsche leather on your skin. Close your eyes and you almost smell the fresh cut fairways of the tony Rosedale Golf and Country club and feel the warm sea breezes off the dock of your multi-million dollar Muskoka cottage.“

Ms. Shinder suggested that I stick to my day job, whatever that may be.

Interestingly, this time around, Shinder is primarily marketing her “i smell great” products online through her very well-crafted website and through several popular YouTube bloggers as MakeupMandy24 and Juicystar07 and well-known beauty websites as PopSugar.com. Many such bloggers and websites have very favorably touted Shinder’s products. Such bloggers and sites represent millions of followers and visitors.

Shinder recently partnered with Hollywood and tv star, Sophia Bush, to promote her “i smell great “ line. Apparently, online sales have skyrocketed.

(I personally loved Sophia as the hot and funny Brooke Davis on the very successful, coming of age “One Tree Hill”, tv series.  So partnering with the vivacious Sophia Bush is truly inspired.)

Shinder and her team also actively use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and many other innovative ways to drive online traffic to her company’s webpage. Eschewing traditional retail outlets.

To date, her clicks over bricks, appear to be working. In a nod to Brooke Davis’ “Clothes Before Bro’s” line on “One Tree Hill”, how about “Chicks Before Bricks”?

According to Shinder, the feedback and response to her website have been overwhelming.

For now Randi Cogan-Shinder and her team are concentrating on marketing, promoting and developing her current line of “ i smell great” products.

But as Shinder’s personal brand and reputation soar, I would not be surprised if Shinder leaps into apparel and home accessories, with her signature and unique style.

Because what woman does not want to feel, look or live as great as Randi Cogan-Shinder.

Yoga for conservatives

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Lifestyle, Politics

I am thinking of starting a new Facebook Group, for stressed-out conservatives who have seen our hopes of a conservative resurgence in Ontario provincial politics dashed regularly by unpopular and politically tone-deaf provincial conservative leaders.

On the federal level, now we are faced with the popularity of one of the most content-free, superficial and dangerous federal Liberal leaders in recent memory.  The Boy Wonder Justin with the great hair and economic/environmental policies that may destroy our stable Canadian economy.

Much as Trudeau Sr. did in the ‘70s and early ‘80s.

If Trudeau the pretty boy puppet is elected, will he carbon tax us Canadians to financial death? Will he stop the oil pipelines flowing oil east to west and west to east and kneecap our oil and gas industry – the economic engine of our Canadian economy?

One day, Trudeau is pro-Israel, the next day he is pro Palestinian while he parties at mosques connected to Islamic terrorists, bent on destroying Israel, killing Christians and wreaking havoc on the west.

Once elected as PM, will he throw Israel and Jews under the bus as he courts Canadians who want to impose Sharia law in our communities in violation of our Canadian rights, freedoms and values.

As conservatives, how do we combat this New Age Adonis?

Well, instead of pulling our graying hair out, we should fight fire with fire.

We should breathe new life into our conservative mission, by stopping, and literally breathing in and out – yoga style.

Close our eyes and dream of a Canada, free of hypocritical, opportunistic Trudeauites and loony leftists.

We should inhale through our noses and let our breath circulate through our joints, muscles and up and down our chests and backs.

After a series of preliminary poses, (Sun Salutations, Downward Facing Dog, cat and cow poses) which loosen our limbs and open our hearts to new thoughts and ideas, we should then engage in my favorite pose: Warrior II, known as Virabhadrasna II.

After several years, I am still a novice yogi, but my yoga instructor, the strong and ethereal Iris, is the real deal.

  • 1. Open the arms so they are parallel to the floor. When the right leg is forward, bring the right arm in front of you and the left arm behind.
  • 2. Open the left hip toward the back of your mat.
  • 3. Keep the right knee bent and the right thigh parallel to the floor.
  • 4. Draw the belly in slightly.
  • 5. Find the shoulders directly over the hips.
  • 6. Reach out through both finger tips.
  • 7. The gaze is forward over the right hand.
  • 8. Engage the triceps to support the arms, and the quadriceps to support the legs.

Repeat on the left side.

Make sure the right knee stays tracked over the middle toe of the right foot. Don’t allow the knee to drift over to the left.

Hold the pose for ten breaths.

This yoga pose strengthen the legs and arms, opens the chest and shoulders, tones the abdomen and makes us fighting Conservatives – strong enough to take on the invading hordes of Trudeau lefty lightweights who want to weaken our national resolve and take us back to the disastrous tax and spend/stagflation days of Trudeau Sr.

Namaste, you left-leaning Liberal/lefty bastards!

Same Sex Marriage Between Jewish Canadian and Palestinian Women – More Uplifting Than Fiction

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Entertainment, Lifestyle

The American writer, Mark Twain, famously wrote, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”

For me, the word, “strange” denotes weird, with certain negative connotations.

But there is nothing strange or weird with the wonderful same sex relationship and marriage of Jess Salomon and Eman El Husseini, seen in this photo. (and note the link to an interview Jess and Eman gave recently on CBC radio).

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/palestinian-jewish-comedy-1.3251867

Full disclosure. Jess is not only a Facebook friend, and a friend, but I am also very proud to say that she is my second cousin from Montreal. A very successful human rights, international war crimes lawyer, turned brilliantly funny stand-up comedienne.

Think a wittier, smarter, bi-sexual red-headed Amy Schumer whose had a kick-ass international legal career. Who is not only laugh out funny, but in her spare time writes devastatingly smart political satire and political commentary.

Reminiscent of her more politically conservative,(but socially libertarian and libertine) and even stranger male cousin, moi. ( Hey, it’s in the genes, we’re family, after all)

Eman is also a brilliantly funny and smart stand-up comic and a terrifically, warm, passionate and compassionate person.

I was initially introduced to Eman as Jess’ partner, a few years ago, at the shiva ( Jewish funeral) of Jess’ grandmother and my great aunt, Nicki.

Admittedly, that was a gutsy move. But what better time to introduce one’s partner, one’s significant other, to the greater, extended Salomon clan. ( for those trying to keep score, my grandma Fanny and Nicki’s husband, Joel aka, Babe, were brother and sister, of a total of 9 siblings, Oy Vey!)

As to the very large and tight Salomon clan, who all stayed and lived in Montreal. And produced children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Think the Sopranos, as if the Sopranos, were manufacturers of men’s wear on Montreal’s The Main.

Both Jess and Eman headline and perform in Yuk Yuks comedy clubs throughout Canada.

Whenever they are in Toronto, I try to catch their individual performances. Both are amazingly funny and quick. They are both a delight.

Now they are making the move to The Big Apple, to seek fame and fortune and who knows, maybe their own show on Comedy Central.

Move over Amy Schumer (who I believe is a cousin of our very own Harvard-Radcliffe classmate, Fran Schumer) and Sarah Silverman, you now got some serious competition, from two brilliantly funny and awesome comics and performers.

jess and eman 2jess and eman

Harvard Capitulates to Anti-Semitism

by Mitch Wolfe, posted in Lifestyle, Media

As a Harvard graduate, class of 1974, I am thoroughly disgusted by the Harvard Administration’s cowardly capitulation to the anti-Israel BDS (boycott, divestment, sanction) movement on campus.

As reported recently by the Harvard Crimson (Harvard’s daily student-run newspaper), since April 2014, Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) stopped purchasing SodaStream machines (do-it-yourself soda and water machines which are owned and manufactured by an Israeli-based company). Since that time HUDS also agreed to remove SodaStream labels from existing water-filtering machines currently installed in the dining halls of many Harvard-Radcliffe residences, or Houses.
This highly unprecedented action, in response to complaints lodged in the Fall of 2013 by two radical pro-Palestinian student groups known as the College Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Harvard Islamic Society, is deplorable and panders to the anti-Semitism of this campus boycott.

Apparently, some members of these Pro-Palestinian student groups experienced “discomfort” when they noticed that the filtered water machines in certain dining halls had SodaStream labels on them. These members also believed that the existence of these SodaStream machines had the potential to offend those affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

According to one of the groups’ spokespersons,  these protesters believed that the SodaStream machines could be seen as a “microaggression to Palestinian students and their families and like the University doesn’t care about Palestinian human rights.”

SodaStream is an Israeli company that specializes in do-it-yourself soda and water machines. Sodastream’s main factory is located in the West Bank, in an Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, which is located in a suburb of Jerusalem.

Interestingly, according to well-respected Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, the location of this settlement is not a matter of dispute with Mohammad Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank and its former Prime Minister Salm Fayyad.  Both acknowledged directly to Mr. Dershowitz, that in all negotiations about borders and land swaps, this settlement would remain within Israel’s borders. Although the factory is in an area beyond the Armistice lines of 1949, it is not really disputed territory. Nor does it pose any barrier to a two-state solution.SodaStream has claimed that this factory was a “model of integration” employing 500 Palestinians, 450 Arab Israelis and 350 Israeli Jews on the same salaries and with the same social security benefits. Palestinian employees “received salaries four or five times that of the average wage in the territories controlled by Palestinian authorities”.

Assuming six members to a family, SodaStream also argued that this factory was providing income, employment and benefits to support about 6,000 Palestinians and Arab Israelis.

Clearly, both Palestinian and Arab Israeli employees in this factory, earning incomes four or five times greater than that earned by other Palestinians in the West Bank,  did not believe themselves or their families to be victims of “microaggression”.

By the way, these workers would not have even applied to work in this factory without the explicit support of the Palestinian Authority. Clearly, the latter did not believe these workers were subject to human rights violations in this regard.

So what is the real intent and logic behind this opposition? Why are these pro-Palestinian groups engaging in an anti-Israel BDS boycott of SodaStream?

I don’t buy the silly argument that these pro-Palestinian students feel “discomfort” from the existence of SodaStream machines or feel they are the victims of “microagression”.

The real intent of their boycott is to isolate, demonize, and delegitimize Israel – its people, its institutions, its businesses and its products.

In two words – Jew hatred. Otherwise known as a modern and more insidious form of anti-Semitism.

This more modern form of  anti-Semitism was best explained and criticized by Canadian Prime Minister Harper in his memorable, “Fire and Water” speech in the Israeli Knesset, when he stated,

“But, in much of the western world, the old hatred has been translated into more sophisticated language for use in polite society.

People who would never say they hate and blame the Jews for their own failings or the problems of the world, instead declare their hatred of Israel and blame the only Jewish state for the problems of the Middle East.

As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel. On some campuses, intellectualized arguments against Israeli policies thinly mask the underlying realities, such as the shunning of Israeli academics and the harassment of Jewish students.

Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that.

Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that: a state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history.

That is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism.

It is nothing short of sickening.”

Harvard was stained by explicit anti-Semitism in the 1920s and 30s, due to its clearly discriminatory admissions policies against Jewish applicants and students. Harvard’s reputation is now further stained by its capitulation to this more insidious form of anti-Semitism.

Next, these same groups will be “disturbed” by the very presence of Jewish students and faculty on the Harvard campus. Anti-Semitism at Harvard is a cancer that must be eradicated immediately.

Harvard must not tolerate Jew hatred or anti-Semitism on its campus as racism is not tolerated. Hatred of any form is not acceptable at Harvard.  In this case, there is no defense of the freedom of expression or the democratic right to protest.

Any student who engages in anti-Semitic activities at Harvard should be asked to leave.