There is strength in numbers… and confidence and resolve

The school year returns next week for most students of all ages. It is an exciting and nerve-wracking time for many of our children. But with a loving hug, friendly pat on the back and timely words of encouragement, the kids seem always able to get past the first-day butterflies.

It will not be the same, however, for the institutions and ordinary folk to get as easily past the anti-Jewish, anti-Israel and anti-democracy actions and demonstrations that have been reported to await the post-summer return to the routine rhythms of our society. Campus protesters have rolled up their tents. But they prepare to unfurl other flags of hatred and to incite behaviours entirely antithetical to core western values.

It is therefore important that GAJE supporters and readers of this update be made aware of a newly formed, widely based group that is determined to fight antisemitism and, in the process, stand up for and to protect western values. We should know that there are others – indeed many others – who recognize that the fight against antisemitism is also a fight on behalf of democracy. Thus, as a form of public service announcement, GAJE brings to its supporters, news of the recent formation of the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA). (The following information is from the Coalition’s website.)

ALCCA is “a coalition of 28 organizations and many more individuals dedicated to combatting the unprecedented levels of antisemitism in Canada. Each member organization brings expertise and dedication – and a great deal of voluntarism – to our work. The coalition includes:

Honest Reporting Canada, Jewish Educators and Families Association (JEFA), Secure Canada, StandWithUs (Canada), Bring Love (A Catholic organization), Temple Sinai, Lawyers for Secure Immigration, Human Rights Action Group, Canadian Jewish Advocacy (CIJA), StartUp Nation, Hillel Ontario, Allied Voices for Israel (AVI), Canadian Union of Jewish Students (CUPS), Holy Blossom Temple, Lawyers Combating Antisemitism, Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism, End Jew Hatred, Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA), Canadian Women Against Antisemitism (CWAA), Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF), Jewish Parents of Ottawa Students Association (JPOSA), Manitoba Israeli Coalition, Jewish Medical Association of Ontario (JMAO), Winnipeg Friends of Israel (WFI), The Jewish Medical Association of British Columbia (JMABC), Ottawa Against Antisemitism, Jewish Physicians Association of Manitoba (JPAM), Association des Médecins Juifs Du  Québec (AMJQ). 

Guided by five principles:
1.      We believe in the power of working together. When Jewish communities and democratic values are at risk, we must coordinate our efforts. Otherwise, we remain ineffective.
2.      We support the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The definition, adopted by many countries including Canada, recognizes that it is not antisemitic to criticize Israel’s government, policies or practices in a manner similar to how other countries are criticized. However, it is antisemitic to demonize Israel, the world’s only Jewish democratic state, and Zionists, who include the vast majority of Jews, without distinction. 
3.      We believe in respectful dialogue with those who disagree with us. But we reject hatred in all its ugly forms, including intimidation, harassment and the celebration of violence or barbarity.
4.      We believe that Canadians have a duty to reject all forms of extremism. This is not just a “Jewish” issue, it is a “Canadian” issue.
5.      We believe that protecting our children, including students in kindergarten to those in universities and colleges is our highest priority. They are entitled to embrace their Jewish identities, without fear. Their voices need to be heard and supported.

“Too many Jews and their allies feel helpless in the face of pervasive, unprecedented antisemitism, hatred and extremism. They don’t know how to respond. At times, they are frustrated by perceived inaction or feel uninformed about what action is being taken or what is effective. All that must change.”

The ALCCA website is: www.alcca.ca

The sie explains how we can stay informed about this stark threat to our society and how we can become involved in the battle to protect it. Let us join the battle. There is strength in numbers. And confidence. And resolve.

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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, 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)

August 30, 2024