Latest news with #Lefton
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DEC warns turtles are on the move
State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton on Wednesday reminded New Yorkers that turtles are nesting in May and June, and she encouraged motorists to 'Give Turtles a Brake.' According to a DEC news release, turtles are often spotted on or near roads this time of year as they search for sandy areas or loose soils to lay their eggs and thousands of turtles are killed each year by unsuspecting drivers when turtles cross roads to find nesting areas. 'Our state is home to a wide range of turtle species and today DEC is calling on New Yorkers to do their part to help protect these long-lived species and 'Give Turtles a Brake,'' Lefton said. 'Vehicle strikes are a major cause of turtle mortality this time of year, so DEC is asking drivers to be cautious, be on the lookout, and slow down, especially on roads near rivers and marshy areas.' Drivers who see a turtle on the road are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the driver can safely stop and exit the vehicle, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing, the release stated. Motorists are advised not to pick up or drag turtles by their tails. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up safely by the sides of their shells. It is important to maintain a secure grip as turtles may kick to loosen your hold and dropping them can result in potential injury. Snapping turtles require special care when handling — they have long necks that can snap back and inflict a strong bite if held by the sides. Instead, turtles should be picked up by the rear of the shell using both hands or carefully slid onto a mat or blanket and dragged safely across the road. DEC also reminded people not to take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit. Most of the 11 species of land turtles that are native to New York are in decline, the release stated. It takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Losing even one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may be able to help if an injured turtle is found. Learn more about New York's native turtles on DEC's website. DEC recognizes May 23 as World Turtle Day. American Tortoise Rescue, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, created World Turtle Day to celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. The animals are rapidly disappearing due to smuggling, the exotic food industry, climate change, loss of habitat and the illegal pet trade, according to the release. Follow @NYSDEC on social media late May through early June for more information about turtles in the state.
Calgary Herald
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'It's needed now more than ever': Jewish community optimistic ahead of Walk with Israel fundraiser
Toronto Jewish community leaders are hopeful that the 2025 Walk with Israel will build on the record-breaking attendance, fundraising and public support of last year's march. Article content Article content 'The Walk with Israel really represents a moment of solidarity and togetherness and pride for the Jewish community in Toronto,' Sara Lefton, the chief development officer of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto (UJA), told National Post. 'I think at a moment where there has been so much antisemitism and so much isolation of the Jewish community that it's needed now more than ever.' Article content Article content Last year, the UJA Walk with Israel down Bathurst Street in northern Toronto drew an estimated 50,000 participants, the largest ever in the event's history. Noah Godfrey, a co-chair of the event alongside his wife, is similarly upbeat that this year's walk will be a positive gathering for Toronto's Jewish community and their allies supporting the Jewish state. Article content Article content 'We are big believers in the need for the State of Israel, for Jews, and for the need for self-determination. It's been pretty important a role Israel has played for Jews, not only in Israel, but for the diaspora,' he told the Post. Article content While sporadic groups of anti-Israel protesters lined the walk's path last year, some of them yelling antisemitic slurs, Lefton noted that UJA is taking safety precautions seriously ahead of this year's march. 'The Jewish security network is working on behalf of the community with Toronto Police to make sure that there's a coordinated plan to deal with any counter-protesters and to make sure that we're safe and secure.' Article content Article content Godfrey agreed that organizers were taking any potential threats seriously, but emphasized it would not distract them from the importance of the event. Article content Article content 'We're not deluding ourselves that the people will show up. But we also are not also going to let it ruin our day. We're gonna have a wonderful day, a wonderful walk,' he said. Article content Upholding a peaceful environment in which Jews and non-Jews alike show their support for Israel is vitally important, Lefton said. 'This is a celebratory march about pride,' she said. 'We're marching as Canadians who are standing with Israel.' Article content Another major goal of the walk is to raise money for Israelis. Lefton shared that the 2024 event fundraised over $1 million, which was earmarked to help 'people in Israel who are suffering as a result of the current situation.' The UJA executive explained that some of the donations had been used to assist families in Sderot, a town which was attacked during the October 7 invasion by Hamas, who are struggling to find mental health and trauma support.
Ottawa Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
'It's needed now more than ever': Jewish community optimistic ahead of Walk with Israel fundraiser
Toronto Jewish community leaders are hopeful that the 2025 Walk with Israel will build on the record-breaking attendance, fundraising and public support of last year's march. Article content Article content 'The Walk with Israel really represents a moment of solidarity and togetherness and pride for the Jewish community in Toronto,' Sara Lefton, the chief development officer of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto (UJA), told National Post. 'I think at a moment where there has been so much antisemitism and so much isolation of the Jewish community that it's needed now more than ever.' Article content Article content Last year, the UJA Walk with Israel down Bathurst Street in northern Toronto drew an estimated 50,000 participants, the largest ever in the event's history. Noah Godfrey, a co-chair of the event alongside his wife, is similarly upbeat that this year's walk will be a positive gathering for Toronto's Jewish community and their allies supporting the Jewish state. Article content Article content 'We are big believers in the need for the State of Israel, for Jews, and for the need for self-determination. It's been pretty important a role Israel has played for Jews, not only in Israel, but for the diaspora,' he told the Post. Article content While sporadic groups of anti-Israel protesters lined the walk's path last year, some of them yelling antisemitic slurs, Lefton noted that UJA is taking safety precautions seriously ahead of this year's march. 'The Jewish security network is working on behalf of the community with Toronto Police to make sure that there's a coordinated plan to deal with any counter-protesters and to make sure that we're safe and secure.' Article content Article content Godfrey agreed that organizers were taking any potential threats seriously, but emphasized it would not distract them from the importance of the event. Article content Article content 'We're not deluding ourselves that the people will show up. But we also are not also going to let it ruin our day. We're gonna have a wonderful day, a wonderful walk,' he said. Article content Upholding a peaceful environment in which Jews and non-Jews alike show their support for Israel is vitally important, Lefton said. 'This is a celebratory march about pride,' she said. 'We're marching as Canadians who are standing with Israel.' Article content Another major goal of the walk is to raise money for Israelis. Lefton shared that the 2024 event fundraised over $1 million, which was earmarked to help 'people in Israel who are suffering as a result of the current situation.' The UJA executive explained that some of the donations had been used to assist families in Sderot, a town which was attacked during the October 7 invasion by Hamas, who are struggling to find mental health and trauma support.
National Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
'It's needed now more than ever': Jewish community optimistic ahead of Walk with Israel fundraiser
Article content Last year's walk was buoyed by the return of four Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas and held in Gaza, and this year's event is equally timely, Lefton said. 'It's a scary time to be a Jew in Toronto and in Canada, in general. We have never seen this kind of hate targeted against our community before,' she said. 'Our children are waking up and going to school knowing that there are very real threats that they're facing. For the last year, our community has really been banding together to make sure that we stand up against this hate and use our voices, because we need to call attention to the fact that we're facing this kind of hatred and antisemitism and that it's not acceptable.' Article content The adversity Canadian Jews have faced throughout the days and months since the October 7 atrocities — swastikas graffitied on schools, bomb threats against synagogues, shootings at Jewish day schools — underscored for Godfrey the unending struggle of the Jewish people to never give up or be complacent. Article content 'We can never take freedom for granted…. I think that is even more palpable today, post-October 7, than it has been in my entire lifetime,' he said. Article content 'It's even more important now to show our friends in Israel and around the world that they are not alone and that the Jewish diaspora is here and strong and supportive of what we're fighting for.' Article content Article content
Vancouver Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
'It's needed now more than ever': Jewish community optimistic ahead of Walk with Israel fundraiser
Toronto Jewish community leaders are hopeful that the 2025 Walk with Israel will build on the record-breaking attendance, fundraising and public support of last year's march. 'The Walk with Israel really represents a moment of solidarity and togetherness and pride for the Jewish community in Toronto,' Sara Lefton, the chief development officer of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto (UJA), told National Post. 'I think at a moment where there has been so much antisemitism and so much isolation of the Jewish community that it's needed now more than ever.' Last year, the UJA Walk with Israel down Bathurst Street in northern Toronto drew an estimated 50,000 participants, the largest ever in the event's history. Noah Godfrey, a co-chair of the event alongside his wife, is similarly upbeat that this year's walk will be a positive gathering for Toronto's Jewish community and their allies supporting the Jewish state. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We are big believers in the need for the State of Israel, for Jews, and for the need for self-determination. It's been pretty important a role Israel has played for Jews, not only in Israel, but for the diaspora,' he told the Post. While sporadic groups of anti-Israel protesters lined the walk's path last year, some of them yelling antisemitic slurs, Lefton noted that UJA is taking safety precautions seriously ahead of this year's march. 'The Jewish security network is working on behalf of the community with Toronto Police to make sure that there's a coordinated plan to deal with any counter-protesters and to make sure that we're safe and secure.' Godfrey agreed that organizers were taking any potential threats seriously, but emphasized it would not distract them from the importance of the event. 'We're not deluding ourselves that the people will show up. But we also are not also going to let it ruin our day. We're gonna have a wonderful day, a wonderful walk,' he said. Upholding a peaceful environment in which Jews and non-Jews alike show their support for Israel is vitally important, Lefton said. 'This is a celebratory march about pride,' she said. 'We're marching as Canadians who are standing with Israel.' Another major goal of the walk is to raise money for Israelis. Lefton shared that the 2024 event fundraised over $1 million, which was earmarked to help 'people in Israel who are suffering as a result of the current situation.' The UJA executive explained that some of the donations had been used to assist families in Sderot, a town which was attacked during the October 7 invasion by Hamas, who are struggling to find mental health and trauma support. Last year's walk was buoyed by the return of four Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas and held in Gaza, and this year's event is equally timely, Lefton said. 'It's a scary time to be a Jew in Toronto and in Canada, in general. We have never seen this kind of hate targeted against our community before,' she said. 'Our children are waking up and going to school knowing that there are very real threats that they're facing. For the last year, our community has really been banding together to make sure that we stand up against this hate and use our voices, because we need to call attention to the fact that we're facing this kind of hatred and antisemitism and that it's not acceptable.' The adversity Canadian Jews have faced throughout the days and months since the October 7 atrocities — swastikas graffitied on schools, bomb threats against synagogues, shootings at Jewish day schools — underscored for Godfrey the unending struggle of the Jewish people to never give up or be complacent. 'We can never take freedom for granted…. I think that is even more palpable today, post-October 7, than it has been in my entire lifetime,' he said. 'It's even more important now to show our friends in Israel and around the world that they are not alone and that the Jewish diaspora is here and strong and supportive of what we're fighting for.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
