Will you stand with military families?
Last week, a tragic fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright claimed the lives of four Canadian service members, including Private Aidan Goulding, a beloved member of our Jewish community.
In the days since, Jewish communities across Canada have come together to support the military families affected by this tragedy. Through a special emergency fund established by CIJA and Jewish Federations across Canada, our community has already raised tens of thousands of dollars to help families facing unimaginable loss and hardship.
If you have not yet contributed to the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright Emergency Fund, click here to donate.
Also in this newsletter: Another Iranian regime operative ordered deported from Canada, and how you can help press the federal government to take stronger action; CIJA joins J7 leaders in the UK to push for international action against antisemitism and extremism, including Noah Shack’s interview with the BBC; and ahead of elections in Ontario and British Columbia, explore where Toronto’s mayoral candidates and B.C.’s major political parties stand on issues that matter to our community.
Shabbat Shalom,
CIJA Team
Private Aidan Goulding’s service and sacrifice are a powerful reminder of the contributions Jewish Canadians make to the country we proudly call home.
As Ezra Shanken, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, told The Canadian Jewish News:
“I am proud of this young Jewish man’s service and sacrifice for our country. It stands in stark contrast to those who seek to intimidate and threaten our Jewish community while burning the Canadian flag. Aidan’s service reminds us of who we are and the values we uphold.”
The funds raised through the Canadian Forces Base Wainwright Emergency Fund will go to the Together We Stand Foundation, a Canadian charity supporting military families, including assistance with essential needs in the difficult months ahead.
Founded by Rick and Lillian Ekstein, children of Holocaust survivors who found refuge and a new beginning in Canada, the Foundation reflects their gratitude to the country that gave their families safety, freedom and opportunity.
As Stacey Leavitt-Wright, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton said:
“When the dust settles—in one month, two months, six months, whatever it is, from now—the families are still dealing with the trauma and the crisis... we will be there with these funds to continue to help them.”
If you have not yet contributed, please join us in supporting the families of those who serve our country.
DONATE TO THE WAINWRIGHT EMERGENCY FUND
CIJA CEO Noah Shack and Senior Vice-President Richard Marceau joined Jewish community leaders from the J7, an alliance representing the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel, to advance coordinated action against antisemitism and extremism.
In London, the British Foreign Secretary committed to convene a ministerial-level meeting on antisemitism, which will include his counterparts from the U.S., Germany, France, Australia, Argentina, and Canada.
Speaking to the BBC, Noah also warned that policies pursued by Canada, the UK and France toward Israel are being exploited by extremists to fuel radicalization and inspire acts of terror. “Antisemitism is a symptom of this broader problem of extremism that we all need to come together and collectively push back upon before we suffer more deadly consequences as a result.”
The threats facing Jewish communities cross borders, and so must our response.
The Immigration and Refugee Board has ordered the deportation of Amin Yousefijam, a former Tehran police lieutenant living in Toronto who pleaded guilty in the United States for his role in a criminal network that helped Iran evade sanctions.
According to new reporting by Stewart Bell at Global News, the network exported materials to Iran with potential military applications, including the manufacture of weapons of mass destruction.
CIJA and thousands of Canadians have consistently called on the federal government to ensure that Canada is not a safe haven for Islamic republic officials. The federal government must accelerate removals and ensure CBSA, police, and security agencies have the funding, resources, and tools they need to identify and remove dangerous individuals who pose national security threats.
Take two minutes to tell the government to take action.
Ontario: Election Day Is Monday. Know Where the Candidates Stand.
With municipal election day this coming Monday, these final days of the campaign are an important opportunity to understand where Toronto's mayoral frontrunners stand on the issues that matter most to our community.
CIJA asked Brad Bradford and Olivia Chow to outline their commitments to combating antisemitism, strengthening community safety, addressing hate-motivated crime, and ensuring Jewish Torontonians can live openly and safely. Both have responded, and their answers are now available on our website.
Before heading to the polls on Monday, take a moment to review the candidates’ responses to our questions, and learn more about their positions on these important issues.
VISIT THE ONTARIO ELECTION HUB
As British Columbians prepare to head to the polls, it's important to understand where the province's political parties stand on the issues that matter most to the Jewish community.
CIJA asked the major political parties to outline their commitments to combating antisemitism, strengthening community safety, and addressing the challenges facing Jewish British Columbians.
The Conservative Party of B.C., BC NDP, and CentreBC have all responded, and their answers are now available on our website.
Take a moment to learn more about the issues affecting Jewish British Columbians and how each party plans to address them.
Visit the B.C. Election Hub to read the parties' responses and learn more.