The history of hatred repeats itself
For the last three decades, life for Jewish-canadians has been just about as good as it has been anywhere, at any time: Jews are widely accepted in society; all career options are open to us; and we can live anywhere we wish and send our children to any school. It wasn’t that long ago when these freedoms were unimaginable to Canadian Jews.
During the Second World War, prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King shut Canada’s doors to European Jews, dooming many to perish in the Holocaust. The war’s conclusion, however, did not end anti-semitism in this country.
In the 1950s, signs reading “No Jews or dogs allowed” were commonplace in Canada. Until the mid-1990s, private institutions such as Toronto’s Rosedale Golf Club would not admit Jews.
Jewish members were finally admitted to Ottawa’s tony Rideau Club in 1964, and prime minister Pierre Trudeau named Canada’s first Jewish cabinet minister, Herb Gray, in 1970. Thanks to the hard work of many people, Jewish-canadians became widely accepted in society.
But while systemic discrimination decreased, individual Jews still faced anti-jewish attitudes. Growing up in North York, Ont., I was subjected to anti-semitism into my teens. And when I started visiting lumber mills in northern Ontario in my 20s, I was often accused of trying to “Jew down” prices. Still, things were changing in Canada and, by the 1990s, anti-semitism seemed to be all but eradicated — or so we thought.
Historically speaking, Jewhatred has always found a way to hibernate, and then resurge. Jews enjoyed hundreds of years under Spain’s Golden Age until the flames of the Inquisition killed thousands, with the survivors being expelled en masse.
Today, many look at that long era, and the acceptance of German Jews for almost two centuries before the rise of Nazism, and are baffled: how could such a good situation deteriorate so quickly?
We may not have to look far for an answer, as it always happens quickly, and it is happening again.
Already the group most targeted by hate crimes, Jews experienced a dangerous surge in anti-semitism during the conflict between Israel and Gaza in May. People living in predominantly Jewish neighbourhoods in Toronto
and Montreal were verbally and physically harassed. Rocks were thrown at attendees of a peaceful pro-israel rally in Montreal.
This dangerous spike in anti-semitism was caused by a variety of factors. The boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel has whipped up hatred, not just toward the Jewish state, but toward Jews in general — and anyone with an affinity for Israel.
Likewise, our deeply divided society and the rise of populism around the world has made Jews a target both of extreme-left and extreme-right ideologies. Throw in the proliferation of anti-semitism on social media, and the results are toxic.
In response, there are three steps that Canadians — Jews and non-jews alike, including our policy-makers — need to take.
First, they must condemn anti-semitism, specifically and unequivocally. While Jews are certainly not the only group in Canada to face hate and discrimination, of which recent heinous incidents against Indigenous and Muslim populations serve as powerful reminders, Jews continue to be the most frequent target of religious hate crimes. We need our friends to speak publicly to condemn anti-semitism.
Second, enact concrete policy. Policy puts words into action. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-semitism has been adopted by the federal government, three provinces and many municipalities. The definition is an important tool to recognize anti-semitism and unmask those who attempt to hide behind a facade of “anti-zionism,” while really seeking to delegitimize Jews. The IHRA definition needs to be adopted broadly across Canada.
Third, Canadians should reach out to their elected officials. Each call, letter and email counts. Politicians consider public opinion when making decisions on public policy. As individuals, we can make a big difference by contacting our elected representatives and telling them that anti-semitism has no place in Canada.
Most Canadians are peace-loving people who abhor hatred and discrimination. Policy-makers, legislators and all Canadians of good conscience must speak out. If you witness anti-semitism, refute it, repudiate it and relegate the hatred of Jews to the dustbin of history.