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Dear John, 

This week, we answered questions about Israel’s new government, spoke out against the dangerous crossover of antisemitism and hate directed at the LGBTQ2+ community, and, with the Canadian Jewish community, supported earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.

Read on to learn more. 

The CIJA Team  

Almost 1,200 people got answers to their questions about Israel’s new government and what it means for the Jewish community in Canada by participating in Coalition: A look at Israel’s New Government.

An insightful conversation between Mark Regev, Chair of the Abba Eban Institute at Reichman University, and Dr. Einat Wilf, author and former Israeli politician, was moderated by Yaron Deckel, Senior Emissary of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

If you attended, we hope you found it thought-provoking and informative. We value your feedback and would like to know how we can improve upon your experience for future events. Please take a few minutes to fill out a short survey here.

If you were unable to attend, want to watch it again or share it with family, friends, and colleagues, you can access it here.

Sheba Birhanu, CIJA's Associate Director of Partnerships, spoke with CBC News about the dangerous crossover of antisemitism and hate directed at the LGBTQ2+ community.

We have all seen the devastating images of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday, killing at least 22,000, injuring many thousands more, and causing enduring damage and destruction. These numbers are likely to rise significantly.

The Jewish community in Turkey has lost its leaders – Saul Cenudioglu, president of the Antakya community, and his wife, Fortuna. The town’s synagogue was also partially destroyed. (See here for footage of the synagogue’s Torah scrolls removed to safety).

As part of Operation Olive Branch, 150 Israeli rescue personnel were immediately dispatched. They joined Israeli and Jewish aid organizations already in Turkey, including our Jewish Federation partners and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), which, with the Jewish Agency for Israel and United Hatzalah, are providing food, first aid, tents, heaters, blankets, and thermal clothing. The JDC is working in cooperation with the Turkish Jewish community, to ensure the urgent needs of their community are met.

United Israel Appeal of Canada is welcoming support from across Canada for Jewish organizational efforts to save lives and provide necessities and comfort to those traumatized.

CIJA in the News 

Community Calendar

March 2 | The Abraham Accords: A Turning Point in the Legal World
March 5-6 | Purim 
October 16-17 | Democracy in Action 

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