Last week in this space, we noted that one of the ways we protect civil, decent democratic society in Ontario/Canada is by protecting and enhancing Jewish community life.
That means, of course, we must raise our children to know who they are, why and how to connect with and feel part of Jewish history and Jewish peoplehood. In addition to raising children to be knowledgeable, caring and engaged Jews wherever they choose to live, we must also stand up for ourselves and for our remarkable faith and heritage. We must stand up to the haters who propagate their hatred of our Judaism and of the Jewish State on the very streets of our cities and communities.
Amy Spitalnick, the CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), recently published an article on the site of eJewishPhilanthropy whose thesis confirmed the link that pushing back against anti-Semites in and of itself, holds up and strengthens democratic society. JCPA publicly asserts that “Jewish safety is inextricably linked with the safety of other communities and a strong, pluralistic democracy.”
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) has the history and the credibility to be in the vanguard of the fight to protect the pillars of American democracy. Throughout its 80-year history, JCPA has been at the forefront of the fight for civil rights, justice, and equality in the United States. It has served in the U.S. as a convener of Jewish groups and organizations in the cause of safekeeping democracy and democratic life.
In the article, entitled “We must work across communities to fight antisemitism and defend democracy”, Spitalnick advises of wrote: “Recent research from the University of Chicago, the Anti-Defamation League and others underscores the deep connection between antisemitism and broader threats to democracy and diverse communities.”
“…The research shows that messaging connecting Jewish safety with our democracy, democratic norms and values, and the safety of others isn’t just accurate — it resonates strongly with the communities who must be engaged in this fight. Research conducted in the fall of 2023, detailed in our report, found that such messages tested very well across race, generation and party. As the report notes, recent follow-up research, focused on 18- to 34-year-olds, found that the most resonant messaging highlighted antisemitism’s threats to our democracy and freedom and how antisemitic hate spreads to target other groups. This tells us that there is a clear path forward: one that recognizes the deep interconnection of Jewish safety with the safety of others and brings together communities under threat in pursuit of an inclusive democracy in which all Americans’ rights and freedoms are protected.”
Although the research referenced in the article is based upon the current American experience, it clearly applies in broad terms to circumstances unfolding in Canada. Spitalnick’s conclusions comprise important reading for our community as well.
But the key to enabling us to step resolutely on the “clear path forward”, as Spitalnick refers to it, is first, to stand up as Jews and for our Judaism, to stand up to the anti-Semites knowledgeably and confidently as Jews.
That, of course, requires that we educate our children – and indeed, ourselves – in and about our heritage. If only the Government of Ontario understood the incontrovertible nexus between standing up to the anti-Semitic bully and standing up for Ontario’s civil, democratic society. Perhaps then, it would end its unjust, discriminatory, single-denominational funding of education in Ontario.
Spitalnick’s article can be read at: https://jewishpublicaffairs.org/news/ejewishphilanthropy-we-must-work-across-communities-to-fight-antisemitism-and-defend-democracy/
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The appeal by the Government of Ontario of Judge Eugenia Papageorgiou’s refusal last summer to throw out GAJE’s application for fairness in educational funding, was heard in early June by a panel of three judges. The court reserved its decision.
GAJE will publish the court’s decision as soon as it is known to us.
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If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit for fairness in educational funding in Ontario, please click here.
For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of underwriting the costs of the lawsuit.
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Shabbat shalom.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
July 5, 2024
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 