CEASE & DESIST…

By Ken Gangbar (Leib Chaim)

On June 6th a TO bylaw supervisor called with an official warning, based on a public complaint, to cease and desist hostage postering. Toronto Municipal Licensing & Standards Notice To Comply L04254. For months I had been committed to postering despite vandalism, antisemitic defacing and cancel culture damage. Often replacing the posters twice in a day. I also attend rallies, give away yellow ribbon pins, wear a Bring Them Home Now ‘dog tag’, have an Israeli flag visible in my car, and diligently post on Facebook. My front street windows have a running count of the number of days and the number of Hostages along with Magen David’s and my Menorah.

I found postering a small important daily act as a proud Jew giving voice to the Oct 7th atrocities and the unimaginable plight of the hostages. I approached Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center For Holocaust Studies for support and guidance. They got in touch with Councillor Pasternak who brought this postering issue to the City’s attention. The City considers “mass postering” contravening the postering bylaw and stood their ground. A few days after receiving the cease and desist warning I turned around and ordered a yellow ribbon. If I couldn’t poster I would wrap the poles with yellow ribbon along Spadina from St Clair to Casa Loma. Both sides like the parting of the sea. My need to take a stand, to be visible, to speak out, to join with others all led me to these small acts.

But these acts are part of a larger personal journey. A journey that has been percolating for years but only took form since my mother Marion’s death on February 1, 2023 and Oct 7. A journey for deeper understanding and meaning through connecting with my Jewishness. It feels like a guided journey with teachers and mentors coming into my life along the way. Connecting to Torah, Mitzvot, Davening, Shabbat, Israel and community. I can feel the ages of generations embracing me as does my grandfather Phil’s Tallit. I can feel Hashem ushering me forward to learn and grow. A year ago I couldn’t have imagined this journey. Somehow it has been there all along just waiting for me to be ready and see deeper within myself and into the rich meaningful infinite of Jewishness.

My heart and prayers are with the many families of Oct 7th, the hostages and families, the IDF soldiers and families and those innocent in Gaza. Am Israel Chai