Toronto (April 24, 2020)  - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) brought together four of Canada’s leading Rabbis today for a panel discussion on the coronavirus pandemic and the Jewish community.

Rabbi Yael Splansky of Toronto’s Holy Blossom, Rabbi Reuben Poupko of Montreal’s Beth Israel Beth Aaron,  Rabbi Dan Moskovitz of Vancouver’s Temple Shalom and Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Ottawa’s Machzikei Hadas sat down for a Zoom discussion moderated by FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo to share their insights about the epidemic and its impact on the lives of Canadian Jews.

The Rabbis discussed how their congregations have responded and adapted to the new circumstances and discussed the efforts made by the community to care for and support vulnerable members and others who have been adversely affected by the pandemic. The Rabbis shared their concerns about the racism and antisemitism that has grown in the wake of the pandemic and offered their reflections about how Canadian Jews can draw on our traditions and teachings in approaching the challenges of the current moment.

The panel discussion on the Coronavirus Pandemic and Canada’s Jewish Community can be viewed in its entirety HERE.