Opinions Archives - Page 12 of 15

Will Montreal’s First Jewish Mayor be Declared Innocent of Bribery Charges?

It was one of the most extraordinary falls from grace by a prominent figure in Montreal Jewish community history. Seven months after being elected as the city’s first Jewish mayor, albeit on an interim basis, Michael Applebaum was paraded down the front steps of his home in handcuffs by the province’s anti-corruption police, UPAC, and […]

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Stop Blaming Trump for Canadian Antisemitism

Opinions /

Last week, a series of incidents involving antisemitic graffiti made headlines in Canada, with many pundits attempting to tie them to the U.S. election of Donald Trump and the apparent rise of right-wing extremist elements in the United States. Arm-chair activists have been weighing in, blaming Trump as well as his appointment of his chief strategist, Steve

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Don’t be Afraid to Stir it up with Your Favourite Celebrities

Opinions /

Though the eyes of the public remain fixed on the United States and the actions of its President-elect (especially on Twitter), there is more happening in the world that is worth discussing. For example, the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement has declared the week of Nov. 25 to Dec. 3 the “International Week of

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After Historic Trade Mission to Israel, Mayor Coderre the Toast of Jewish Community

Opinions /

It was around four years ago when Denis Coderre stepped down as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Bourassa to seek the mayoralty of Montreal. One of his handlers gave me a call. “Can you do an interview with Denis for the Jewish press?” he said. “People need to know what a

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Antisemitism in Canada: The Numbers Don’t Lie

Opinions /

Late last year, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implemented his campaign promise of welcoming thousands of Syrian refugees to Canada, many groups felt it was important to launch anti-Islamophobia campaigns. One of the most well-known of these campaigns began earlier this year by the City of Toronto itself, in partnership with the Ontario Council

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Reflections on Rosenthal’s Remembrance Day Contributions

Opinions, Quebec /

I’d like to take this opportunity to bring to light a particular Remembrance Day ceremony that is near and dear to my heart. Larry Rosenthal, a long-time B’nai Brith Canada activist in Quebec, must be commended for once again organizing a very special commemoration at the Baron De Hirsch cemetery Jewish War Veterans monument. Although

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My Grandfather’s Testimony at the Last of the Nazi Trials

Opinions /

I am the grandchild of four Holocaust survivors. In February, I accompanied my maternal grandparents, Marika and Bill Glied, to Detmold, Germany to witness my grandfather’s testimony against a former SS Nazi guard, Reinhold Hanning. I travelled back in June to witness the court give its judgment. On June 17, 2016, for likely the

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Artists 4 Israel Makes Strong Impression on First Visit to Montreal

Campus, Opinions, Quebec /

For a first-time visit to Montreal, Artists 4 Israel made a fairly good impression last week on McGill and Concordia university campuses. Artists 4 Israel was established in 2009 as a non-profit initiative to promote artists’ rights and the right of Israel to exist in peace and security. Based in New York City, its artists are talented

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The Need to Properly Address Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community

Opinions /

Worldwide, 35% of women have been the victim of either physical or sexual violence at some point in their life, most of this coming from an intimate partner. Within Ontario, more than 6% of women who have been or are currently in a serious relationship report experiencing domestic abuse. While this is far better than the global average,

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Volunteering – A Great Mitzvah

Opinions, Quebec /

One of the essential pillars of B’nai Brith Canada as a charitable organization traditionally has been volunteer community service. After all, “people helping people” is something we like to say, so I hope that the following piece of personal history tugs at your heartstrings and persuades you that there is importance attached to volunteering to

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