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Active Shooter Drills in Toronto? Why This Synagogue Says It’s Adopting Heightened Security Measures
Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto has adopted heightened security measures, including recently starting active shooter drills, amid an uptick in violent incidents. "It’s to keep us safe, because we are not," Rabbi Michael Dolgin told the Toronto Star.
'Highly Disturbing': Jewish Group Sounds Alarm Over Hate Promoter's Candidacy
FSWC expressed alarm last week after learning that a Brantford man convicted of advocating genocide and promoting hate against the Jewish community is a candidate in the upcoming Canadian federal election. "It’s highly disturbing that a man convicted of advocating genocide and spreading hateful rhetoric against Jewish people now has access to voters’ personal information, including that of the very community that he targeted with calls for their mass murder," Michael Levitt, FSWC's president and CEO, said in a statement. "This is a glaring blind spot in our electoral system and a serious security concern."
McGill Moves to Cut Ties with Student Union After Protest Led to Classroom Blockades, Vandalism
McGill University announced this week that it is looking to cut its contractual relationship with the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) after a three-day anti-Israel strike on campus last week led to blocked access to classrooms and vandalism. "Protest is indeed part of university life — our policies and the law protect peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," interim deputy provost Angela Campbell said in an email to students. "But vandalism, obstruction, threats and violence do not fall within these protections."
‘Vancouver Has an Antisemitism Problem,’ Byelection Candidate Says
"Vancouver has an antisemitism problem and we need to address it," said Jaime Stein, one of ABC Vancouver’s unsuccessful byelection candidates. "I witnessed it first hand on this campaign with the threats I received on social media and the vandalism that happened to our signs." This comes as Jewish groups in Vancouver take aim at one of the city’s new councillors-elect over a 2021 social media post.
Asked to Clarify If He Sees Genocide in Gaza, Carney Says He 'Didn't Hear that Word'
While at a rally in Calgary, someone in the crowd shouted: "Mr. Carney, there's a genocide in Palestine!" as the Liberal leader was getting settled on the stage. Carney replied: "I'm aware. That's why we have an arms embargo." He has since claimed that he did not hear the word "genocide" and was just "stating a fact in terms of the arms restrictions."
"Words matter and misinformation causes real damage," said FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt in an online post. "Impulsive and reckless remarks won't change the Middle East. But they will change Canada for better or worse. And it's Canadian Jews facing hate every day who will bear the consequences."
Toronto Police Spent Nearly $20 Million to Deploy Officers to Protests Related to the Israel-Hamas War
The Toronto Police Service spent nearly $20 million to secure protests related to the Israel-Hamas war and to conduct community outreach within the city’s Jewish and Muslim communities last year, a new report shows.
Holocaust Survivor Ruth Sigal Recognized with Vancouver Honour, Memoir Reissue
The City of Vancouver is proclaiming April 9 as Ruth Kron Sigal day, in recognition of the Holocaust survivor's efforts to ensure younger generations know about the atrocities against Jewish people in Lithuania during the Second World War. Her memoir, Ruta's Closet, has been newly re-released, with its author, Keith Morgan, including additional research and planning for a companion website and podcast.
'Extremism Versus Democracy': October 8 Documents Rise of Antisemitism After Hamas Terror Attack
The film October 8, which examines the rise of antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel, opened in theatres across Canada on Friday. Wendy Sachs, an American documentarian and journalist, sat down with the National Post to discuss the documentary and what inspired her to make it.
Azerbaijan Is Sending a Jewish Singer to Eurovision with a Message of ‘Peace and Love’
Mamagama, a three-man band made up of a Jewish singer, Lebanese-Russian guitarist and ethnic Azeri drummer, will represent Azerbaijan this year at the annual Eurovision Song Contest and hopes to also represent a symbol of coexistence, tolerance and love.
Florida’s Todd Golden Becomes First Jewish Coach to Win March Madness Since 1988
Todd Golden became the first Jewish coach in 37 years to win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament as his Florida Gators edged Houston 65-63 in the final on Monday night.
Report Antisemitism and News of Concern to FSWC
If you would like to report antisemitism or news of concern to Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, please email advocacy@fswc.ca.
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