Dear John,

My two-year term as Chair of CIJA ends this week. I did not choose to lead our national advocacy agency through the most tumultuous period in recent memory, but it has been my honour.

Being in the eye of the storm has been infuriating, frustrating, inspiring, and humbling. Through it all, it has made me only more resolute—and I see that same resolve growing across our community. Before I pass the baton to our incoming Chair, Michael Aronovici, I want to share a few thoughts. These are my own personal observations.

A house divided cannot stand. A central CIJA mission has been to collaborate with and unite institutional and grassroots advocacy groups across the country. We do not always need to agree, but to fight enemies who are well-funded, organized, and determined, we must stand as one. Or we will not stand at all.

We cannot defeat antisemitism, but we can defeat antisemites. Antisemitism is 2,500 years old, shape-shifting, and ingrained. Eradicating it is not a realistic objective. What we can do is fight and defeat antisemites themselves. We win by activating the silent majority of Canadians who do not want their country dominated by violent, anarchic extremism. Canada was built on the rule of law, democracy, and a social contract worth defending.

Canadians are joining us in that fight. And done right, the numbers are on our side, and politicians will find the courage to repel extremism. Through legislation, the courts, police, and political advocacy — all of which we are actively and successfully pursuing — we fight alongside our allies to make space for our children to live freely, safely, and successfully. That is what CIJA's strategy is built around. We are winning battles. We can win more, and we must build toward winning the war.

We must speak the truth — directly, honestly, without hesitation, and with strength. We will not be heard if we are oblique or obsequious. We will be heard and respected when we demand what we, as citizens, are owed, call out the rot corroding Canadian society, and make clear that there is a price to pay for failing to uphold the law. Canadians will demand it.

We cannot allow ourselves to be divided from the people and land of Israel. We may disagree with its politics and criticize its strategy. But as Rabbi Soloveitchik writes in Fate and Destiny, for two thousand years Jews could be persecuted and killed with impunity because they had no sovereign power. Israel changed that calculus entirely; antisemites no longer face a defenceless community. Supporting Israel is not a political preference — it is a matter of Jewish physical survival. Antisemites are defeated not through accommodation or appeasement, but through sovereign power, collective pride, and the willingness to defend Jewish life. Israel provides all three.

Finally, I am proud of and confident in the CIJA we have rebuilt. Our leaders and staff are vibrant, mission-driven, hardworking, and professional. The strategy — spanning communications, community mobilization, the courts, and government advocacy — is working. The battle is ongoing and we won’t win every skirmish, but much has been accomplished.

Thank you for the support, advice, questions, and complaints — all of it has been invaluable. Most of all, thank you to the incredible staff of CIJA. My prayer for you is Chazak v'chazak v'yitchazak — may you go from strength to strength.

Over to Michael, our new Chair. I am excited to remain on the Board under his leadership and continue the fight.

Shabbat Shalom,

Elan

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, represents vibrant Jewish communities across the country that contribute immensely to Canadian society, advocating for a brighter future for Jewish communities and all Canadians.

Le CIJA, le Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes, est l'organisme de défense des intérêts des Fédérations juives du Canada-UIA et représente ainsi les communautés juives organisées de tout le pays, lesquelles contribuent au tissu social canadien en favorisant un avenir meilleur pour tous.