This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy, May 29, 2022

This week, CIJA was among a diverse group of Jewish and Israeli dignitaries, community leaders, and advocacy professionals to participate in The Canadian Summit of Israeli-Jewish Affairs, a two-day conference organized by the Embassy of Israel to Canada.

CIJA President and CEO Shimon Koffler Fogel sat on a panel that examined the complexities inherent in relations between Israel and Canada's Jewish community.

Sheba Birhanu, an Ethiopian Jew and CIJA’s Associate Director of Partnerships, sat on a panel that explored the diversity of Canada’s Jewish community and challenges some experience locally and in Israel.

Sara Saber-Freedman, Executive Vice President at CIJA, addressed the challenges Jewish university students face and how to maintain Jewish pride and advocacy with a balanced and open-minded university experience – and Israel’s role in that mission.

Keynote speakers were HE Ambassador Dr. Ronen Hoffman; the Honourable Irwin Cotler; and Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Nachman Shai. Other panelists and guests included Jewish community stakeholders, students, diplomats, heads of Canadian Jewish Federations, Israeli social media personalities, and journalists.

Over the past few weeks, CIJA joined in the public conversation on several issues of importance to the Jewish community, including the tragic death of Al Jazeera Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, combating rising hate, and the criminalization of Holocaust denial. 

CIJA Vice-President Richard Marceau illustrates the importance of new legislation criminalizing Holocaust denial as part of C-19, the Budget Implementation Act. Read it here.  

In an insightful op-ed, Nico Slobinsky, CIJA’s Senior Director, Pacific Region, and Queenie Choo, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Canada, present four policy suggestions for consideration by our governments in their fight against rising hate. Read it here. 

CIJA's Director of Research Becca Wertman-Traub, a Canadian-Israeli living in Jerusalem, explores the lessons learned from the tragic death of Al Jazeera Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. Read it here. 

On June 2, Ontario is going to the polls! Find out where and how you can vote, here. We want to be sure you have the resources and information you need to make the best possible decision to represent your interests as a Jewish member of the community. Visit CIJA’s Election Hub for details.

Speak up! There is no better time to write to your local candidates to find out how they plan to represent you and address issues of greatest concern to our community, such as rising antisemitism and hate; supporting vulnerable members of our community; and promoting the Ontario-Israel relationship.  

Queenie Choo and Nico Slobinsky: Canadians must unite against growing bigotry, discrimination and hate (The Province)  

Ancient peace symbol now tied to racism draws debate over proposed federal ban on hate emblems (CBC London) 

Ontario Government Relations Professional

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