This week, we called on Toronto City Council to reverse a budget cut that endangers all Torontonians, on Canada’s government to condemn Hezbollah, and on Canadians to participate in the international #WeRemember campaign on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Read on to learn more.
The CIJA Team
Antisemitism in Toronto is rising precipitously, and Toronto Jews are rightly worried. Cutting the police budget by $12.6 million at a time when Jew-hate is at a level many of us have never seen in our lifetime puts public safety – for all Torontonians – at risk.
We are grateful to the Toronto Police Service for their efforts to investigate hate crimes, keep civic order, and ensure unruly protests do not end in bloodshed, but shortchanging police capacity to support the most vulnerable is both ill-timed and poorly thought out.
Ask Mayor Chow and Toronto City Council to reinstate the Toronto Police budget so they can protect our community and the many other Torontonians who rely on them.
TAKE ACTION
Since mid-October, Hezbollah – on Canada's list of terrorist entities for 22 years – has been attacking Israel non-stop. In efforts to avoid a war on two fronts simultaneously, Israel continues to intercept the drones and missiles launched by the terrorist group and retaliates in only a limited fashion. While American and French diplomats have stepped in to avoid further deterioration of the situation, Canada has remained silent.
Read Emmanuelle Amar and Richard Marceau's piece in the Toronto Star about the failure of Canada and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly to condemn Hezbollah’s provocations toward Israel.
Never again is now.
To honour the memory of the six million Jewish children, women, and men murdered by the Nazis, the United Nations designated January 27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As the Israel-Hamas war continues into its fourth month, it has never been more important, as a global Jewish community, to mark this important occasion.
Join millions around the world who are taking part in the World Jewish Congress’ #WeRemember campaign. Between now and January 27, photograph yourself holding a sign, post it to social media, and please share this request with others in your networks. Many of these images will be projected onscreen at Auschwitz-Birkenau January 27.
LEARN MORE
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.
January 24 | Tu BiShvat
January 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 28 | A Collection of Works of Art by Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants in Canada
February 19 | Family Day (CIJA offices closed in BC & ON)
CIJA in the News
Canadian Jewish organizations launch initiative to combat antisemitism (The Jerusalem Post)
Ottawa attend «des preuves irréfutables» avant de parler de génocide à Gaza (Le Devoir)
Canada Distances Itself from South Africa's Lawsuit Against Israel (Israel National News)
Canada silent at Hezbollah fires on Israel (Toronto Star)
Poursuite de l’Afrique du Sud contre Israël pour génocide – Les Faits D’abord (Radio-Canada OHdio)
3 arrests made at Avenue Road bridge demonstrations (CityNews)
Jewish Torontonian: ‘Three death threats against me, I’m still scared’ (JNS)
«Il y a 136 otages toujours détenus par le Hamas», rappelle la directrice du CIJA (QUB radio)
FIRST READING: The Canadian 'pro-Palestinian' cause’s seamless embrace of Jew-hating pirates (National Post)
Ottawa sees 20% rise in hate incidents over past year (CBC News)
Crimes haineux en 2023 : Vancouver n’échappe pas à l’actualité internationale (Radio-Canada)
Vancouver Jewish Community concerned by rise in antisemitic hate incidents (Alberta Jewish News)
Hate crimes up by 30% in 2023: Vancouver Police (CityNews Vancouver)
Hate crime reports jump 31% in Vancouver, fuelled by Israel-Hamas conflict: police (Global News)
Le Canada attend la décision de la CIJ concernant l'allégation de génocide (La Presse)
Community Careers
Associate Director, University Relations and Public Education | Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver/CIJA
CEO, Ottawa Soloway Jewish Community Centre
Community Engagement Specialist | Jewish Federation of Ottawa
Associate Director, Community Security (Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver)
Director of Grants and Allocations (Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver/CIJA)
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