CIJA

This week, we connected you to Israel's decisionmakers, celebrated democracy in action in Israel, and analyzed the impact of the 2023 Federal Budget on the Canadian Jewish community.

P.S. Due to Passover, the next issue of This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy will be on April 9. Chag sameach!

While the Jewish community in Canada watches with interest the ongoing developments in Israel, CIJA has put together the following list of key political contacts in Israel.

Should you have thoughts you wish to share as Israel faces the challenges ahead, these are available for you to send messages of support, constructive criticism, and concern.

This week in Jerusalem, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, postponed the controversial judicial reform legislation to allow more time for dialogue on the proposals and developing a negotiated consensus. In response, CIJA issued a press release in support of the delay, celebrating the Israeli people’s ownership of their cherished democratic rights by peacefully protesting to ensure their voices were heard.

In this week's 2023 federal budget, CIJA was pleased to see several measures, including specific requests from communal agencies, that benefit and support the Jewish community in Canada.

We are grateful for the government’s enhancement of the Security Infrastructure Program, which provides funding to non-profit organizations, including synagogues and Jewish community centres, at risk of hate-motivated crime. This funding mitigates the costs of security infrastructure improvements.

We expect the government’s renewed commitments to assist those requiring food security, to increase Holocaust education, and support community safety through existing and enhanced programs and grants.