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Dear John, 

This week we encouraged safety “bubble” zones around critical community infrastructure and supported efforts to take a serious and in-depth look at the growing phenomenon of antisemitism across the country.  

Read on to learn more. 

CIJA  

Whether at a house of worship, a community centre, or a school, people should never have to walk through hateful demonstrations simply to participate in community life.

Last week, we applauded Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca for announcing his intention to bring forward a Members Resolution to protect Vaughan’s places of worship, schools, childcare facilities, and its hospital from demonstrations and protests.  

This week, Toronto Councillor Brad Bradford wrote a letter to the Attorney General of Ontario asking for the creation of “safety zones” around places of worship and community social infrastructure in Toronto, considering the 93% increase in hate crimes in the city – half of which have been antisemitic incidents targeted at the Jewish community – since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.   

The House of Commons Justice Committee has passed a motion, introduced by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, for a comprehensive study on antisemitism. This study will focus on the rampant antisemitism on Canadian university campuses and the experiences of Jewish students.  

In these difficult and uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to have voices of reason that can cut through the deluge of hate and misinformation. This is why the National Post has launched Channel Israel, a free weekly newsletter that takes a critical look at how the media is portraying the war in Gaza, provides exclusive commentary on events that affect Israel and Canada’s Jewish community, keeps you up to date with the biggest news stories of the week, and provides a one-stop-shop for what Canada’s best and brightest pundits have to say about it all. 

Sign up here to receive it in your inbox every Friday morning.

Community Calendar

Communities are gathering in cities across Canada in support of the people and land of Israel. Find an event near you.

April 22-30 | Passover

CIJA in the News 

UQÀM student union votes to boycott Israel (Montreal Gazette)

Israeli MK: ‘Canada completely lost its moral compass’ (Jewish News Syndicate)

LAWTON: Why Canada shouldn’t turn its back on Israel (True North)

Israël | Le bureau du Québec n'est « en rien » une prise de position, défend la ministre Biron (La Presse, syndication de La presse canadienne)

Jew-hate and 'inquisitions' in Canada (Jewish News Syndicate)

Inorganic nature of Toronto’s protests and the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network – The Alex Pierson Show (640 AM Global News Radio)

Around the Towns: west end (The Suburban)

UN head, a Catholic, accused of artifice for fasting in Gazan solidarity (Jewish News Syndicate)

Community Careers

Associate Director, Communications & Marketing - CIJA
National senior professional, External Affairs - CIJA
Associate Director, University Relations and Public Education | Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver/CIJA
Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist - Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver