NationBuilder

On Yom HaShoah, CIJA was joined by Holocaust Survivors, community members, diplomats, Party Leaders including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Cabinet Ministers, Senators, and Members of Parliament from all parties to honour the six million victims of the Holocaust and the brave Survivors who have strengthened and enhanced Canadian society. All joined to reflect on the tragedy of the Holocaust and renew our collective commitment to combating antisemitism.

Hundreds of people attended the moving commemoration at the National Holocaust Monument, while thousands watched the livestream. Watch it on Facebook or YouTube.

Watch now

Yesterday, while we observed Shabbat, anti-Israel activists gathered in Toronto for Al Quds day which was established by extremist Iranian Ayatollahs in 1979 to foment hatred against Israel.

Thanks to a stern warning from Toronto police – for which we are grateful – and the scrutiny of our community, it appears that no laws were broken, and we did not witness a repeat of what took place last weekend , though we did observe antisemitism including troubling calls for intifada, despicable claims that Zionism is racism, and absurd comparisons to the conflict in Ukraine.

There is another protest this afternoon organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement in Toronto which we will be monitoring closely, and we will react accordingly.

If you missed it, we invite you to read this week’s Word from Our Chair, Gail Adelson-Marcovitz.

A Word From Our Chair

Since 2021, when Israel designated Samidoun as a terrorist organization associated with PLFP, CIJA has been calling on the Minister of Public Safety to add the organization, known to be active in Canada, to Canada’s ‘Listed Entities,’ a list that already includes the PLFP.

Learn in this National Post article by Terry Glavin how a senior member of PFLP leadership has remained active in promoting terrorism on a global scale.

The Government of Canada has launched consultations to inform the first-ever National Action Plan on Combatting Hate. People across Canada, particularly those with lived experience of hate, including members of the Jewish community, are encouraged to have their say in the development of the Nation Action Plan by completing the online questionnaire by May 4, 2022.

Together, we can build a safer, stronger, and more inclusive and equitable future for all where everyone can live their life free from the fear of attack or abuse because of who they are.

We invite you to complete the questionnaire so your voice can be heard.

Have your say!