Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., November 08, 2008 Cheshvan 10, 5769 | | Israel Time: 23:11 (EST+7)
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Jewish group concerned Canadian election could take place on Sukkot
By Rhonda Spivak
Tags: Sukkot, Jewish World, Canada

WINNIPEG - Canada's largest Jewish organization has asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reject plans to call a federal election for October 14, which is the first day of Sukkot.

The Canadian Jewish Congress has written a letter to Harper, saying that holding an election during Sukkot would make it difficult for observant Jews to get to the polls and prevent them from working on election day. Harper might also suffer a backlash from a group of influential voters he has worked hard to court.

"This [Oct. 14] is the first day of the major Jewish festival of Sukkot, an important holy day on our community's calendar," stated the letter from CJC chief executive Bernie Farber. "An election on that day would have a very adverse impact on the Jewish electorate, as well as scrutineers, drivers, other campaign and Elections Canada volunteers."
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Last year, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty moved the date of Ontario's election by six days to avoid a conflict with the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret.

If the election date remains as is, observant Jewish voters will have the opportunity to vote in advance. It is expected that Harper will announce the election date on Friday or by Sunday at the latest.


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      1.   This is Canada and not Israel or Palestine, move out HA? 07:00  |  SHLOMO 05/09/08
      2.   `Shlomo` you are a poor example of a Canadian 09:34  |  Ron 05/09/08
      3.   Surely voting hours extend past sunset? 12:39  |  x-ray 05/09/08
      4.   Jewish group concerned about Jewish election 22:50  |  michelmicha 05/09/08
      5.   Ramadan 02:22  |  david 06/09/08
      6.   What Chutzpah! 04:35  |  Janice 06/09/08
      7.   Too many holidays 15:43  |  Ari 07/09/08
      8.   Who wrote these messages? 19:57  |  Canadian Democrat 07/09/08
      9.   Canadian voting on Holiday 04:45  |  Oh Canada 08/09/08
      10.   Canada vote on Holiday 04:49  |  Oh Canada 08/09/08
      11.   Ari, too many holidays?! 09:33  |  Zev Davis 09/09/08
      12.   Michaelmicha, the BR is not Canada 14:51  |  Zev Davis 09/09/08
      13.   Voting on Ramadan 00:01  |  Adriano 13/09/08
      14.   re: Voting Hours past Sunset 18:59  |  Jeff 17/09/08
      15.   "moving holidays" 19:01  |  Jeff 17/09/08
      16.   "moving holidays" 19:02  |  Jeff 17/09/08
      17.   jews 22:56  |  Tony 08/11/08
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