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Dear John, 

This week, the Toronto Holocaust Museum celebrated its grand opening, international media covered an anti-Israel conference in Canada showing, yet again, how important it is for us to confront antisemitism at every opportunity. You also get the chance to meet the Toronto mayoral candidates, and with Pride month here, we have a few events you might be interested in. 

Read on to learn more. 

The CIJA Team  

Last week, the Toronto Holocaust Museum celebrated its grand opening. CIJA helped secure participation from nearly 40 members of the political sector, civil society, and many of our partner communities all there to celebrate. 

Premier Doug Ford announced that the Government of Ontario will be supporting a range of programming at the Toronto Holocaust Museum with a $500,000 grant. This is the culmination of months of CIJA advocacy, supported by Thornhill MPP Laura Smith and Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport Neil Lumsden. 

The Jerusalem Post covered an anti-Israel conference scheduled to be hosted in Canada by “Independent Jewish Voices,” In the article, The Jerusalem Post noted “While the organization claims to represent Jewish voices, its controversial stance and selection of speakers have raised concerns within the Jewish community in Canada.” 

One of those concerned was CIJA. Our President and CEO, Shimon Koffler Fogel stated “By platforming speakers like Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the antisemitic BDS Movement, IJV is making clear that it supports a one-state framework – which would mean the destruction of the Jewish state, which Barghouti unabashedly sets out as his objective. It demonstrates in the clearest of ways that the group has no interest in promoting peace and universal rights.” 

June 26 is Election Day in Toronto, and CIJA is here to help you “Meet Your Next Mayor.”

In recent weeks, CIJA created multiple opportunities for community to engage candidates about their vision for the city. Candidates toured UJA’s Sherman Campus facilities, celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut, participated in UJA’s Walk with Israel, and attended the Toronto Holocaust Museum opening to show their support for our community and to hear – directly from you – about what matters most. 

CIJA also shared results of a short survey of the Jewish community with candidates to give them a snapshot of what’s top of mind during the election.

Candidates have created short videos to share their message with Toronto’s Jewish community. Check out CIJA’s social media channels (CIJA Twitter, CIJA Instagram, CIJA Facebook) over the coming days, or watch them all –  and find more information about voting and candidates – on CIJA’s Toronto election website.   

June is Pride Month in Toronto and CIJA is participating in several events across the GTA.
We would like to invite you to join the GTA Jewish community as our delegation marches in the Trans March, Dyke March, and Pride Toronto Parade, June 23-25, 2023. We march to demonstrate our support for the LGBTQ2+ Jewish community, the past contributions and human rights initiatives of Queer and Trans Jews, as well as to protest anti-Jewish bias, past and present, in Pride parades, Women's Marches, and equity-seeking spaces across North America. Our marching group intentionally centres LGBTQ2+ Jewish people, and as such, allies to both Jewish and LGBTQ2+ communities are encouraged to join us.

Now with a Canadian organization platforming the founder of the antisemitic BDS movement and other problematic speakers, it is clearer than ever that antisemitism is thriving in Canada as it is around the world. 

It’s time to face it, and it’s time to fight it. 

That’s why from October 16-17, CIJA, Jewish Federations from across the country, and our entire community are joining forces with like-minded Jewish Canadians and allies to face, fight, and push back against antisemitism.  

Register today to become part of the largest community gathering from coast to coast to coast standing strong, speaking with one voice! 

CIJA in the News 

Incoming sponsored travel rules for lobbyists will limit ‘educational opportunity’ for MPs and Senators, say CIJA and Results Canada (The Hill Times)

Jewish anti-Israel conference sparks controversy in Canada (The Jerusalem Post)

Community Calendar

October 16-17 | Antisemitism: Face It, Fight It
June 24 | Fête Nationale du Québec
July 1 | Canada Day

Careers

Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg

Executive Director, Hamilton Jewish Family Services