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Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be in town next week as the keynote speaker for the Jewish National Fund of Windsor’s sold-out Negev Dinner.
“It took us about six months to secure a contract with Prime Minister Harper as the keynote speaker and we’re absolutely thrilled,” said Al Teshuba, co-chair of the 2024 Negev dinner and president of the Conservative Party of Canada’s Windsor West Electoral District Association. “We timed everything based on when he was available because his schedule is so packed. It just worked out, and the response has been tremendous.”
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The dinner is set for Aug. 8 at the Caboto Club. Sponsored by the Jewish National Fund of Windsor, it has been a tradition for the area’s Jewish community for five decades.
Proceeds from the dinner were originally sent to the Negev region, but funds are now spread among major projects throughout Israel.
This year, the dinner will support fundraising for the rebuilding of Kibbutz Kissufim, which was attacked Oct. 7 by Hamas, a militant Palestinian political group governing the Gaza Strip which Canada considers a terrorist organization.
The local honouree at this year’s dinner will be Dr. Connie Gambriel, who the JNF said has been “a tireless advocate for Israel” for nearly 50 years.
Harper will do an interview-style presentation with former CTV Windsor anchor Jim Crichton, also emcee of the event, asking questions.
As an extra tribute to Harper, the riding association has put up a billboard thanking him for his past role in getting the Gordie Howe International Bridge project underway.
Harper and former Michigan government Rick Snyder announced in 2012 they had an agreement allowing the bridge project to proceed.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which oversees the project for the Canadian government, was also formed during Harper’s tenure and he was a driving before behind the bridge’s name.
The billboard, which went up July 26, will remain at the corner of John B Avenue and Sandwich Street for four weeks.
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