Many thanks to Ambassador Hoffman and the staff of the Embassy of Israel for their vision and the realization of the two-day summit they organized and hosted in Ottawa. The summit’s objective was to examine the relationship between Israel and the Canadian Jewish community now and in the future.
The well-organized summit brought together community leaders from across the country to learn, share, and become better informed about today’s challenges. The opening session was followed by round table discussions on topics including the new direction in Canada-Israel relations, the power of education, Canada’s diverse Jewish community, campuses in the front line of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS), antisemitism, and social media in the nexus of combating antisemitism.
Adam Minsky, CEO of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. said that Israel is the largest project of the Jewish people in the modern era; it changed the status of Jews in the world in the 20th century. Yet, the 21st century has seen the Canadian Jewish community struggling with the effects of events in Israel on their communities and the rise of antisemitism which are undermining our safety. Antisemitism is not an Israeli experience, but a Canadian Jewish issue and is a threat to Canadian democracy.
Ambassador Irwin Cotler stressed that a national action plan on education is important, but more so is action on such a plan. Antisemitism in schools and universities across Canada, including the walkout at the OCDSB by Palestinian students and their supporters, was discussed.
Education is a key factor in the future Jewish existence in Canada. An important part of the conversation was the relevance of Jewish education in fostering an attachment to Jewish identity within the young generation and for its future leadership of the Jewish community.
Recognizing that along with the change in population, the dynamic in Canada is also changing, Senator Linda Frum stressed that we cannot assume that the Canadian government will continue to be supportive of Israel in the future.
Ya’ara Saks, MP for York, urged all participants to learn together and to understand what is important for the security of the Jewish community in Canada as well as the security of Israel.
Senator Jerry S. Grafstein stressed the need to fight for ‘Jewish Rights’, not only Human Rights.
Aviva Klompas, a social media specialist, described tweets as “toxic waste blowing the air; if it enrages, it engages,” she said. Social media is well funded and sophisticated, and outnumbered as we are, we must deal with the lies, misinformation, and distortion.
Dr. Nachman Shai, the Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs, shared new initiatives by his office in a special session.
The summit was engaging, informative, and a wonderful opportunity to meet members of the Jewish community from coast to coast. It may signal the beginning of more cooperation among Jewish organizations across the country.
