Justin Trudeau sings along with Canada's Jews - watch
Despite Rivlin's early departure, Canadian prime minister takes part in 'Koolulam' event in Toronto.
By AMY SPIROCanadian Prime Minister Justin trudeau sings along at a mass sing-along event (photo credit: LIORA KOGAN AND ISAACIMAGE)
Three minutes, close to 2,000 Canadian Jews and one prime minister.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau belted out the words to Matisyahu’s One Day at a mass sing-along event organized by the Israeli music initiative Koolulam in Toronto on Tuesday night.President Reuven Rivlin had been slated to attend the event, but flew back early to Israel because of his wife Nechama’s poor health. But Trudeau still showed up, along with Toronto mayor John Tory, and gave it his all.“Canada and Israel have a special bond, rooted in mutual respect and shared values,” Trudeau wrote on social media on Wednesday. “Last night I joined Toronto’s Jewish community to celebrate the ties that unite us, and the strength of our friendship.”In lieu of attending, Rivlin sent a video message to the gathering of Canadian Jews that he recorded before leaving.“I’m sorry that I have to return and cannot be with you here when you are watching me now,” Rivlin said in the video. “I have to go back to Israel to be with my wife... I came on her orders to visit you and to celebrate you and to be part of this important event.”Adam Minsky, the president and CEO of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, called the event memorable.“The evening featured an unforgettable community performance of the song One Day, an anthem of peace and unity, led by Israeli musical sensation Koolulam,” Minsky wrote on the UJA site. “It was truly awe-inspiring and emotional hearing almost 2,000 unique and diverse voices from across the Jewish community converge as one.”
The event was organized in coordination with the UJA-Federation of Toronto and Israel Bonds Canada. Koolulam has held dozens of similar events – including with Rivlin – in Israel and around the world.
