This week, we continued to monitor the war in Israel as we advocate for the people of Israel and more than 137 hostages still held in Gaza. We met with community members and MLAs in Calgary in support of Alberta’s Jewish community, and we invited you to join us in Ottawa tomorrow, December 4, to unite and rally for the hostages, the people of Israel, and the safety of Jewish Canadians.

Read on to learn more.

The CIJA Team  

As Israel’s war with Hamas enters its seventh week, more than 137 children, women and men are still held hostage in Gaza. We join Israelis and all good citizens of the world in hoping that every one of them returns home soon. We have been active on social media in reporting developments, celebrating the return of the hostages released during the pause in operations, and dispelling misinformation and disinformation about Israel and the conflict.

Follow us on socials to stay informed. 

We are seeing an alarming rise of antisemitic incidents across Canada and the world as well as an increase in online hate as misinformation, emotion, and opinions misguide people to hold Jews around the world responsible for what is going on in the Middle East. 

This poses a grave danger to all Canadians.

We can all advocate for the Jewish community and for a safer Canada. So, if you see something, you need to say something. Use our online form to report incidents of hate to CIJA and help combat antisemitism in your community. Report hate here. 

Join CIJA, JFC-UIA, Canada's Jewish Federations, and thousands of community members and allies on Monday, December 4, at 1:30 PM ET on Parliament Hill to unite and rally for the hostages, the people of Israel, and the safety of Jewish Canadians. Contact your local federation for details.

We were pleased to join the Calgary Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federation of Edmonton for an Advocacy Day at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton. We were pleased to meet with both Cabinet Ministers and Opposition Critics to discuss the critical issues affecting Jewish Albertans, including community security, education, and combating antisemitism. The day concluded with a legislative reception, in partnership with CJPAC, welcoming many elected officials, Jewish community members, and student leaders. We are grateful to Premier Danielle Smith and all the Ministers and MLAs who came together to support and connect with Alberta's Jewish community.

Community Calendar

Communities are gathering in cities across Canada in response to the devastating war on Israel by Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza. Find an event near you.

December 7-15 | Chanukah

CIJA in the News 

'Tears of joy': Family with Toronto connections part of hostages released by Hamas (CTV News)

Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau (Times Colonist, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

Temporary Israel-Hamas truce unlikely to pave way for longer ceasefire, say foreign policy experts, as hostage-prisoner exchange begins (The Hill Times)

Social media algorithms to blame for antisemitic, Islamophobic content online, Waterloo expert says (CBC News)

Israel's war with Hamas brings renewed focus to BDS movement and role of boycotts to effect change (CBC News)

WARMINGTON: Some York professors want to be able to teach while being before the courts (Toronto Sun)

La guerre entre Israël et le Hamas remet en avant le mouvement BDS et le rôle des boycotts pour apporter des changements (Les Actualités)

Ottawa goes to court to get $122,000 grant back from Laith Marouf employer (The Globe and Mail)

Ford will not remove MPP from caucus amid allegations of 'dangerous rhetoric' on social media (CP24)

Moe stands by social media post accusing Sask. NDP of 'supporting antisemitism' (CBC News)

Calls continue for Victoria city councillor Susan Kim to resign after she doubted reports of Hamas’ sexual violence during the Oct. 7 attacks (The Canadian Jewish News)

Is It Too Little, Too Late For Anti-Racism Commissioner? (Vancouver Sun)

Anti-racism commissioner meeting with Jewish and Muslim communities, city says (Montreal Gazette)

Discours haineux et exemption religieuse : Le Bloc veut s’attaquer aux discours haineux et antisémites (La Presse)

Le Bloc veut éliminer une exception du Code criminel sur les discours haineux (Le Devoir, + syndication par La presse canadienne)

Molotov cocktail thrown at Jewish Community Council building hours after it hosted a meeting about boosting security measures in Montreal (The Canadian Jewish News)

Molotov cocktail thrown at Jewish centre in Montreal - NewsTalk Tonight with Jim Richards (iHeartRadio)

Ontario doctors disciplined over Israel-Gaza protests (CTV News)

Community Careers

CEO, Ottawa Soloway Jewish Community Centre

Community Engagement Specialist | Jewish Federation of Ottawa