One of the reasons the shock of “October 7” hurt so deeply was because of the sense of abandonment that Jews felt throughout the Western World in its aftermath. The very next day after October 7, the rage and the protests registered on the streets of the democratic world – to our disbelieving dismay – were expressions of support for Hamas, not for Israel. The organizers rolled out the signs and shared the slogans all around the world.
The inversion of morality and the twisting of truth did not begin that day. They were seeded into Western society and normative civil discourse some decades earlier. But, on October 8, 2023, we saw their full sinister bloom.
The silence and pro forma equivocations of so many elected officials in the face of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish intimidation, fostered our first sense of having been abandoned. The silence or hostile responses of the leaders and/or members of the organizations whose causes Jews had long supported, also contributed.
Indeed, we are justified in still feeling that way: betrayed and on our own in the fight for Israel, Jews and democratic values. But it would be wrong and unfortunate not to notice that the Jewish community and supporters of Israel are not alone in this fight. For example, GAJE has brought readers’ attention to the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA), a coalition of widely-based, diverse, community organizations and individuals “combatting antisemitism through awareness, advocacy, education, training, and respectful dialogue.” ALCCA members respond publicly respond boldly, with openly-expressed precision to the malign efforts of the haters.
Other actors as well, have stepped forward to stand with the Jewish community. Last week, a new initiative was launched by Cardus, a non-partisan think tank “dedicated to clarifying and strengthening the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good.” GAJE has often featured Cardus’ research and writings about education and educational funding.
At a two-day conference in Toronto, Cardus launched a multi-year initiative, called Simeon, which was described as “a call-to-action for Canadian Christians and Jews to stand together against hatred and work toward a more just society.” The conference – or Summit, as it was called – was organized by Cardus in partnership with CIJA, Rick Ekstein and Phaze 3 Associates, and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
Father Deacon Andrew Bennett, one of the driving forces behind the conference and the Simeon initiative, succinctly explained the purpose of the combined project. “We are launching a new movement in this country… coming together as Christians and Jews to combat the scourge of antisemitism for the sake of Canada.” (Our emphasis)
Thus, in merely a handful of words, Father Bennett pointedly explained why it is vital that we fight antisemitism. Not only is the fight important for its own sake – to vanquish hatred – but equally, if not more importantly, to protect and to secure the democratic norms and principles of the society that we cherish. And for the purposes of this update, there is another essential component to Father Bennett’s capsule declaration: We are “coming together as Christians and Jews.” The emphasis falls on “together”.
Father Bennett plainly states that Jews are not alone in the fight against antisemitism. In the framework of the values and the purposes he champions, Christians and Jews work together. After all, this is Canada. (That this update was written on Canada Day, lends it heightened relevance and urgency.)
Partnering with CIJA, Rick Ekstein and Phaze 3 Associates, and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto,
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GAJE expects to be before the Court of Appeal in the Fall, arguing for the right to a hearing on the merits of our application for fair educational funding in Ontario. When we learn the date of the hearing, we will share it with our readers.
If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit, please click here. Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of helping to underwrite the costs of the lawsuit. For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
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Shabbat shalom. Am Yisrael Chai
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
July 4, 2025
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 