Celebrating Jewish Heritage, Fighting for a Brighter Future
Today more than ever, Jewish pride matters. While there are many ways to confront antisemitism, one of the most powerful is to double down on being defiantly Jewish.
In this edition, we look at what we have planned for Jewish Heritage Month, the 2026 Census, and an update on new funding for community security. Read below for the latest news—and how together we’re seizing this opportunity to strengthen Jewish life.
In everything from the arts and science to business and academia, Jewish Canadians have made an impact that far exceeds our size. This May, during Jewish Heritage Month, we will not only celebrate the past but also look ahead.
Throughout the month, in partnership with Jewish&Canadian, we're highlighting Jewish advocates taking action today to fight for a brighter future for our community and all Canadians. The first story profiles Jewish students from the Canadian Union of Jewish Students (CUJS), who work in coordination with groups like Hillel Ontario. Pe'er Krut, President of CUJS and a JD/MBA student at the University of Toronto, shares how the CUJS champions the rights and interests of Jewish students to ensure they feel seen, supported, and valued at a time when so many on campus feel isolated.
Watch and Share Pe’er’s Story
Follow us on socials for more shareable content this month.
Tens of thousands of you have spoken out alongside CIJA and Jewish Federations across Canada calling for enhanced government resources to support community security.
Last Tuesday, our collective advocacy delivered a significant step forward. The federal government announced it is more than doubling funding for the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP) to $135M over 5 years – an essential program supporting life-saving security measures, from personnel to technology, that protect our community spaces and people.
It's a significant step forward, not the finish line. There’s much more needed to strengthen our community’s safety while we continue to put pressure on authorities and leaders to confront the sources of the serious threats we face.
But last week’s outcome is an example of what we can achieve when our community comes together with a strong and united voice.
Tens of thousands of you have spoken out alongside CIJA and Jewish Federations across Canada calling for enhanced government resources to support community security.
Starting today, May 4, census invitations will begin arriving in mailboxes across Canada.
Why does this matter? Because when Jewish Canadians are undercounted, our community is underrepresented in public policy, funding decisions, and resources for vital priorities like fighting antisemitism and strengthening community security.
Here’s what you need to know when you receive your census:
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1 in 4 households will receive the long-form census, which includes:
- Question 23 (Ethnicity)
- Question 30 (Religion)
- Question 23 (Ethnicity)
- You can write “Jewish” in Question 23, Question 30, or both—whatever best reflects your identity.
- You may list multiple identities (e.g., Jewish and Moroccan, Jewish and Russian).
Please complete your census as soon as it arrives, and encourage your friends, family, and networks to do the same. Every response strengthens our collective voice.