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Presented by CIJA, JFC-UIA, & Canada's Jewish Federations and sponsored by Maspik! | JNF Canada, Fieldgate Families and the Azrieli Foundation. The National Post is the official media partner.
This week, we connected you to Israel's decisionmakers, celebrated democracy in action in Israel, and analyzed the impact of the 2023 Federal Budget on the Canadian Jewish community.
Read on to learn more.
The CIJA Team
While the Jewish community in Canada watches with interest the ongoing developments in Israel, CIJA has put together the following list of key political contacts in Israel.
Should you have thoughts you wish to share as Israel faces the challenges ahead, these are available for you to send messages of support, constructive criticism, and concern.
“Like you, during the past few weeks I have watched the unfolding turmoil in Israel over the proposed judicial reform, the continuing and escalating – but largely peaceful – protests, and the hour-by-hour developments. And I am relieved that the people of Israel, who raised their collective voice loudly and repeatedly have been heard. It demonstrates the power the people hold and that change is possible even between trips to the ballot box. Truly a democracy in action and one of which we can all be proud!”
This week in Jerusalem, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, postponed the controversial judicial reform legislation to allow more time for dialogue on the proposals and developing a negotiated consensus. In response, CIJA issued a press release in support of the delay, celebrating the Israeli people’s ownership of their cherished democratic rights by peacefully protesting to ensure their voices were heard.
In recent weeks, CIJA has been working to provide Canada’s Jewish community and media with resources and clarity regarding the evolving legislative issue in Israel. These efforts include an interview on CP24, explainers about what is happening in Israel and Judicial Reforms on social media, and two Unity Not Uniformity webinars (A Look at Israel’s New Government and Unpacking the Controversy).
In this week's 2023 federal budget, CIJA was pleased to see several measures, including specific requests from communal agencies, that benefit and support the Jewish community in Canada.
We are grateful for the government’s enhancement of the Security Infrastructure Program, which provides funding to non-profit organizations, including synagogues and Jewish community centres, at risk of hate-motivated crime. This funding mitigates the costs of security infrastructure improvements.
We expect the government’s renewed commitments to assist those requiring food security, to increase Holocaust education, and support community safety through existing and enhanced programs and grants.
Accords d’Abraham - Un développement majeur vers la paix au Moyen-Orient (La Presse +)
Netanyahu ally: Plan to overhaul Israeli judiciary delayed (CP24)
Canadian Jews welcome freezing of judicial reform in Israel (Israel National News)
Hate-crimes unit will investigate after swastikas painted on Plateau synagogue (Montreal Gazette)
Montreal synagogue spray painted with swastikas (CTV News Montreal)
Montreal’s historic Bagg Street Shul defaced with antisemitic graffiti (The Canadian Jewish News)
Bagg Street Shul defaced with swastikas (The Suburban)
Une synagogue du Plateau profanée par des symboles nazis (Journal Metro)
April 5-April 13 | Passover
April 17-18 | Yom HaShoah
April 24-25 | Yom HaZikaron
April 25-26 | Yom Ha’atzmaut
May 25-27 | Shavuot
Get all the latest information from our newsletter, "This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy."
