An email from Dr Bennet, Minister in my riding to her constituents - Contact numbers for Canadians in Israel

Dear Silva, Today I am reaching out to you to affirm and declare that we unequivocally stand with Israel and condemn the terrorist actions committed by Hamas over the weekend. Now is the time to stand with Israel and affirm its right to defend its sovereignty, its security and its people. My heart and thoughts are with all Israeli people at this time. We are appalled at the rallies that are happening to celebrate and justify the murder and horrific attacks on innocent civilians by Hamas terrorists. The Palestinian people deserve better. The terrorism must stop, the violence is absolutely unacceptable. As a little girl, I remember singing Shalom Chaverim. I knew it was about wishing friends peace. Until my first trip to Israel in 1998, I think I took living in peace for granted. I chaired the Canada-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group for five years. I have been to Israel eight times. I led a delegation of Parliamentarians during the 2nd Intifada, I was part of the MPs in the summer of 2014 during the Gaza war. From the bomb shelters in schools, the iron dome, to all young people doing military service, the threat of attacks and violence was always palpable. On Monday evening in Mel Lastman Square, I stood in solidary together with my fellow MPs in the moving vigil for Israel Expressions, with prayers & singing Hatikvah led by Rabbi Splansky of Holy Blossom Temple. It moved us all. This recent attack on Israel reinforces the need to support Israel’s ability to defend its borders and the necessity of addressing the terrorism of Hamas and its risk to the region and the world. Shalom Chaverim My heart is with everyone affected by the horrific attacks. Carolyn   Canadian officials in Ottawa and in our missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are working around the clock to provide emergency consular assistance to Canadians in these difficult times. For emergency consular assistance, Canadians can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre: By calling +1 613-996-8885  By text message at +1 613-686-3658  Via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881  Via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad Via Signal at +1 613-909-8087 By e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca A message from the PM Our Prime Minister has made it very clear - Canada stands with Israel, and we unequivocally condemn Hamas' attack. To read his full statement visit: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/statements/2023/10/08/statement-prime-minister-trudeau-attacks-against-israel or watch the videos below.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. When I woke up this morning I thought of all that I have and am thankful for. I thought I would share. I am thankful for who I am. I am thankful for my faith in God, a good God and not a nasty one. I am thankful for having only one country bordering mine and that the USA is not trying to invade me or kill me. I am thankful for a good neighbour whose values of peace and democracy I share. I am thankful for living in a country where I can say whatever I want, do whatever I want, dress however I like and for being provided the opportunities for growth. I am grateful for all that I have. I am grateful for serving my country and always having careers where I could help my country, my people and all people. I am grateful for being able to live a life where I have good food to eat, a roof over my head, and a healthcare system that has kept me healthy. I am grateful for all the opportunities I have been given, even those I have rejected. I am thankful for the freedom to be able to do all this. I am grateful for learning how men should love women from the way I saw my father love my mother. He adored her. I am grateful for each friend that I have had and still have. I am grateful to all who love me and will love me. I am grateful for all the pets I have ever had. I am grateful for the choices I am able to make. I am grateful for the choice to be single or married and to change my mind if I choose to. I am grateful for all that I have experienced because it has made me. I love myself and I love all of humanity good and bad and I am grateful that I can. I am grateful for so much. I have had wonderful friends and mentors and still have friends from my childhood. I am grateful for each breath that I take and shall never take it for granted. I love life so much. I am thankful that I can still help people in my work. I am not so thankful that I have difficulty suffering fools, but hey, no one's perfect. Thank you God and country and everyone I know who enhances my life. What are you thankful for? No matter what you may be going through at this moment or day in your life, try to step back and think of one thing you are thankful for. What do you think?

Israel I am so sorry of what is happening. Hamas release the innocents.

It is so tragic what is happening in the Middle East. So many people have needlessly been killed and kidnapped simply enjoying a concert. I support the Jewish community here at home and overseas. Hamas has also taken Canadians as well and has killed at least one Canadian as well as people from other countries. What a mess and needless suffering. I have been watching the news with what is going on and support Israel. Terrorists should never be tolerated. They are a threat to the entire world dominated by hatred and evil acts. Taking civilians including women and children and watching men saying they would trade themselves for their families is heart breaking. Israel will retaliate and rightfully so. It is so unfortunate that so many people from all sides will be suffering and killed because of terrorism. It doesn't have to be this way.

What should you do today?

I was wondering what to talk about today. Should I talk about the Nazi in the house? Should I talk about countries where women have to cover their lovely faces because of ugly men? There is certainly no religion that your face needs to be covered or your hair. Actually Mohammed wanted to protect women. Should I talk about global warming and how there is resistance in trying to keep us alive? Sounds depressing? Yes it can be and that is why balance is important. For many just getting out of bed is a chore. There are things you can do to manage your mental health. I always suggest spending time in nature. I have created my own oasis in mine. Gaze up at the sky and take in what you see, walk through the park or forest and take in the sounds. Lay on the grass and just be with nature. What do you hear, what do you feel as well as what do you see? Have a favourite plant or flowers for you to enjoy and just inhale the fragrance and beauty. Listen to music and even better dance to it. Sing. Choose a new hobby. You may be surprised to find you have a talent you never knew you had. Take a class. Focus on your breathing and feel the sensations of your body. Socialize with people you like and enjoy. Don't know any? Join a club or rereation. Create boundaries with those who cross the line. It is ok to protect yourself. Learn how to love yourself, if you do not. Learn to live and enjoy. It may be by just leaving your room. If need be, get the help that you need. Get a physical if it has been awhile, exercise, walk and know that you can make changes one step at a time. Have a good week everyone. Try to balance your life. What do you think?

Men's Conference Oct 12-13, 23 (I can't seem to paste the schedule. If interested provide an email I can send the program to. Sorry.

For Love of Country: Military Policewoman www.silva.redigonda.ca

The next day I ran a mile and a half in fourteen minutes and five seconds. Was I dead! Our instructor told us that we would all pass the gym portion if it killed her. I think we all liked her. She made us laugh and treated us humanely. Wednesday was another rushed day with no time for myself. Thursday I had a haircut and was fingerprinted and photographs of me were taken. I felt good and wrote home. Friday I earned my pass to go out. Was I glad! I met a recruit by the name of Peter – not hard to look at. I had badly needed fun. We’d been so rushed all week, it was incredible to finally have a break. Saturday, I began the day by going to Canex, which is a store that military people use. It has everything one could need from groceries to stereo equipment. I went to get film developed. I had taken some pictures before leaving for the military and also when I arrived at the base. They turned out well. As I left the Canex, I paused at the barber shop. Many a young man would be sitting on the outside steps, crying after having his hair butchered. Young men with beautiful hair they would never see again; after the barber was finished, I couldn’t recognize them! I knew exactly how they felt and what their tears meant. I went to the bowling alley after that but couldn’t find Peter. I joined the bowling league and found I wasn’t doing badly. At home I considered bowling to be a bore and mainly for geeks. Here it was an excuse just to be out; we could almost be ourselves. I returned to the barracks at 8: 30 PM. It was becoming my home. I did the wash, ironed, and shined some shoes. I was glad to go to bed and sleep. It was Sunday the 27th of October. I went to church and saw Peter. I liked him. He was rubbing his knee against me, when he had the opportunity, which made me nervous, considering how everyone noticed everything. After that I didn’t get to sit next to him. Peter was confined to barracks (CB). He wasn’t allowed to go anywhere except church and to the mess for meals. Attending church seemed to upset me terribly. I felt like crying and wishing I could believe in God. I deduced the possibility that if there was a God, and I wanted to believe in one so much, then I should be able to, but since I could not believe, then God could not exist. Monday, I went to the Recreation (Rec) centre and saw Moose. We had started at the same time from Toronto. He was being released. I guess he couldn’t take it. He was with another recruit being released. I didn’t see Peter. That day I received a letter from home. My mom was worried about Granville. Granville would be our final testing ground. At drill, we were terrible. I saw Peter as I entered the class for first aid training. He was walking the opposite direction. I skipped PT (physical training) because my foot had swollen and proceeded to the hospital (MIR) to have it checked. A male recruit seated nearby kept staring at me and made the mistake of telling me how beautiful I was. I hadn’t felt beautiful since I was forced to cut my hair, and here in Cornwallis what they did to me would have caused my hairstylist to have an anxiety attack. I let the recruit know exactly what I thought of his comments. He did not speak to me again.

Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman.”

For Love of Country - Military Policewoman continues www.silvaredigonda.ca

I was looking forward to going out that night, but when inspected to see if I was suitably attired to leave the barracks, I was informed I was wearing too much makeup. Too much makeup consisted of some lipstick, so I was not permitted to leave. I ironed that night, while most of the other women went out. I awoke Sunday to find a light blanket of snow outside. I walked to church and socialized. One of the men I met, Tom, volunteered to shine a pair of boots for me. This would become routine. I was advised that if I was seen with the same male more than twice, I was considered his girlfriend. I decided to avoid that. I returned to my barracks, worked on my kit and wrote home. That afternoon we had a blizzard. A power failure occurred and left us with no electricity. It was a cold crisp day, but we had fun with all the changes. One of women told me that the others thought I was too wild. I couldn’t believe this place. Wild, I was not. That night we went to bed as nightfall approached because we still did not have electricity. The next day we were kept extremely busy. We were not given time to wash, go to the toilet, or smoke a cigarette. We immediately had three class periods of first aid instruction, followed by more drill, pool and gym. Thank goodness I had my Award of Merit, which gave me some time to rest. I found there was hardly time to breathe. There was certainly no time to study. My confidence grew as I totally immersed myself in the course. But I missed home so much. Excerpt From: Silva Redigonda. “For love of country : military policewoman.” www.silvaredigonda.ca (for your signed copy). Ebook is also available.