This week, we undertook a BUYcott action to support Indigo - Chapters, targeted by anti-Israel groups. We are communicating our concern about a school trip where TDSB students were exposed to hateful chants and messaging, we supported a petition to urge the government to list Samidoun as a terrorist entity, and we rallied community support for Canada to vote against an unfair UN resolution.   

For more information, read on.

CIJA

Over the past few months, anti-Israel groups have waged a malicious campaign targeting Heather Reisman and Indigo - Chapters. Under the offensive banner "IndigoKillsKids," these groups have spread false and defamatory messages about Indigo - Chapters, an iconic Canadian retailer that has been a beacon of philanthropy for the Jewish community.

To counter this injustice, we are launching a national and international #BUYcottIndigoChapters campaign on September 25. We urge you to participate by purchasing from Indigo - Chapters in-store or online and encouraging your friends and family to do the same. By standing together, we can show our support for those who stand with us. 

Click here to learn more.

On September 18, a disturbing incident occurred when Toronto District School Board (TDSB) students and staff attended a rally meant to address mercury contamination affecting Indigenous communities. Instead, they were exposed to antisemitic chants about Israeli "occupation." While we unequivocally support the right to peaceful protest and remain committed to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, educators, schools, and school boards have a responsibility to protect students from exposure to divisive ideologies that promote hate.

We need your help. Take a moment to write to the TDSB’s Director of Education demanding that geopolitics remain outside of school time and that no one is exposed to hate on a sanctioned field trip.

Let’s stop Canada from serving as a home base for terrorism. The House of Commons has started its fall session, so now’s the time for them to add Samidoun to the list of terror entities. MP Kevin Vuong is sponsoring a House of Commons petition to list Samidoun as a terror entity in Canada. These petitions can make a real difference – the Government is required to consider and respond to them. Click here to add your name to this important petition. 

Almost 14,000 of you joined us in urging the Trudeau government to vote against a blatantly anti-Israel resolution at the UN General Assembly that sought to advance a deeply flawed International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion unfairly targeting Israel. While there were concerns that Canada might vote in favour of the motion, as France eventually did, our collective action helped ensure that Canada abstained. However, abstention is not a victory.

The fight to ensure unambiguous, strong support for the Jewish state and the Jewish people remains our collective focus and, with your help and support, we will continue to press on all fronts to achieve that objective. Read our statement here.

Take Action

Tell the TDSB to Keep our students safe from hateful protests
It’s time to make terrorist symbols illegal!

Community Calendar

September 30 | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
October 2 | Rosh Hashanah (Starts at sunset)
October 11 | Yom Kippur (Starts at sunset)
October 14 | Thanksgiving
October 17 | Sukkot (Starts at sunset)

CIJA in the News  

Government challenge on UNRWA funding review case struck down (Toronto Sun)

Controversial deal with anti-Israel protesters has big donors deserting University of Windsor (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Judge declines to boot novel JR of Ottawa’s renewed funding for the UN relief agency in Gaza (Law360)

Non à la perversion par la haine de nos lieux de savoir! (Le Journal de Montréal, + syndication QMI)

Federal government extends ban on senior Iranian officials back to 2003 (Toronto Star, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

Jewish advocacy group challenges Muslim association to condemn terrorist groups (True North)

CIJA calls on Canadian parliament to take immediate action on antisemitic threats (The Jerusalem Post)

Jewish groups urge Trudeau to press Emir of Qatar over Hamas ties (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Le Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes appelle le Parlement canadien à prendre des mesures immédiates face aux menaces antisémites (Radio J)

Case to halt Canadian funding of UNRWA can proceed: Judge – Forum Daily – (5:18-6:44) (The News Forum)

More UWindsor donors pull funding over deal with pro-Palestinian protesters (Windsor Star, + Postmedia Syndication)

Royal Bank-sponsored Vancouver Queer Film Festival has banished Israeli cultural institutions (The Canadian Jewish News)

Canada abstains from UN motion calling on Israel to end occupation of Gaza, West Bank (National Post, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

L’ONU adopte massivement une résolution demandant le retrait des troupes israéliennes (Le Droit, + The Associated Press Syndication)

Canada Abstains in High Profile UN Vote (CFMS 105.9)

L’Assemblée générale de l’ONU réclame la fin de l’occupation israélienne des territoires palestiniens (Le Devoir, + syndication par Agence France-Presse)

Canada abandons Israel and sides with Hamas in UN vote: Jewish advocacy groups (True North)

Gazan children in Canada offered controversial curriculum by Palestinian Authority (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

Community Careers

Communications and Social Media Officer (Jewish Federation of Ottawa)
Associate Director of Development (Edmonton)
Campus Director, Hillel Western
Campus Director, Hillel York
Administrative Coordinator at Hillel Ontario
Director of Education & Mobilization, Hillel Ontario
Wellness Support Specialist. Hillel Ontario
Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator at Hillel Ontario