As we approach a new Jewish year, we do so at a time of enormous challenges: a tidal wave of antisemitism, growing efforts to push Jews out of public life, and, as we saw this week, attempts by our own government to isolate Israel.
Against problems of that scale, it is easy to ask: What difference can one person make?
Our tradition offers a simple answer: small actions matter.
Judaism has always understood the power of the seemingly small. The original David v. Goliath story is ours.
Maimonides teaches that “virtues will not be attained by the magnitude of one great deed, but by the multitude of deeds,” and that we should consider each small deed capable of tipping the scales for the entire world.
That means taking every opportunity to drive positive change, no matter how small, when they present themselves.
There is an old parable about a man trapped in a flood who prays for G-d to save him. A rescue boat comes, but he refuses: “G-d will save me.” Another comes, and again he refuses. When he eventually asks G-d why He did not save him, G-d replies: “I sent you two boats. What more did you want?”
In short, when the boat comes, take the boat.
That lesson feels particularly relevant this week, as the Government of Canada announced it will follow the UK Labour government’s decision guided by domestic politics to restrict trade with Israeli settlements.
Regardless of where you stand, there are reasons to be concerned — for Canada's influence in the region, for the prospects of peace for Israelis and Palestinians, and for the safety of Jewish Canadians.
Moments like this can leave us feeling like speaking up does not matter. But Rosh Hashanah reminds us of the power of a call to action. The shofar sounds one blast at a time, but its cumulative call awakens us to act.
We have a choice: we can be defeatist, or we can be defiant.
I have seen what this community can accomplish when we act together. Over the past year, we have seen what can happen when thousands of people make that choice.
As part of CIJA’s advocacy, our community called for greater resources to protect Jewish institutions, and the federal government more than doubled funding for the Canada Community Security Program.
Together with organizations across our community, we successfully advocated for the Combatting Hate Act, giving law enforcement and prosecutors additional tools to protect targeted communities.
Thousands demanded stronger enforcement following a hate protest featuring Nazi-era propaganda and imagery in Toronto, in addition to Jewish organizations coming together to call for authorities to enforce the law. Eight individuals have now been arrested and charged.
In Montreal, thousands took action and answered our call when an opposition brought back a motion at City Council containing deeply incendiary and divisive provisions, helping change the outcome. Montreal City Council ultimately adopted a significantly amended version of Projet Montréal’s motion, removing its most harmful and divisive provisions.
And when Boy George faced calls for cancellation in Vancouver after expressing solidarity with the people of Israel, thousands of Canadians thanked the venue through CIJA's ActionHub for standing firm.
Each individual action was small, but together, they made an impact.
Our work is far from finished. Hate crimes remain at unacceptable levels. Institutions continue to be weaponized against our community by extremists. Too often, laws and policies exist on the books but are not enforced.
The generations that came before us achieved the promise of Canada through hard work and perseverance, organizing, voting and building institutions in the face of adversity. They understood that determined civic engagement matters.
With our community and the promise of our country under threat, the responsibility to fight for a brighter future now belongs to us.
Rosh Hashanah begins a season of teshuvah. We take stock of our actions and commit to change in the year ahead. This year, I am asking each of us to commit to a few small acts that can have an outsized impact.
Help our community become the most involved in Canadian civic life. If there is an election where you live, be sure to vote — and bring others with you. All levels of government – from the school board to the cabinet table – matter in pushing back against the extremism threatening our community and our Canadian way of life.
If you want to become more politically active, organizations like CJPAC can help.
Speak to your friends, neighbours, and colleagues. Help them understand that the extremism threatening Jewish Canadians threatens the values, institutions, and freedoms all Canadians depend on.
And be ready to act. Sign up for CIJA text alerts so that, when there is an opportunity to make your voice heard, you can be part of a broader movement for change.
These may seem like small acts. But when tens of thousands of us act together, these small acts become a powerful force for change.
On behalf of all of us at CIJA, I wish you and your families a sweet, healthy, and impactful 5787.
Shanah Tovah U’Metukah,
Noah Shack
CEO, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
