I’ve often reported on anti-Israel activities at the downtown campus of Concordia University and the incident that stands out most vividly for me occurred in 2002, when Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to speak there. At the time, he was the former Prime Minister of Israel. His speech was cancelled after several hundred demonstrators got into …
Artists 4 Israel Hope to Make Positive Impact at Concordia University Read More »
Universities Canada is an organization that, according to its website, provides “university presidents with a unified voice for higher education, research and innovation.” The group aims to “foster collaboration among universities and governments, the private sector, communities and international partners to help build a better world” and to “find solutions to the most pressing challenges …
Will the Universities Canada New Non-Discriminatory Policy Make a Difference? Read More »
There are many remarkable individuals in Montreal’s Jewish community. Joe Mendel is one of them. I first met Joe just over two years ago, when I was invited for breakfast at the iconic Ruby Foo’s Hotel on Decarie Boulevard in Montreal. Joe is the managing partner of the ownership group. A few months ago, in …
The Remarkable Joe Mendel: Jewish Community Leader Steps Up When Needed Read More »
Amid the excitement created by the U.S. presidential election campaign, Canada’s Liberal government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently celebrated a major milestone – its first year in office. The 2015 Canadian federal election marked the return of the Liberals to power since 2006. Critics of the Liberals and Prime Minister Trudeau had voiced their concerns regarding …
Trudeau’s First Year in Office: Was it Good for the Jews? Read More »
Technology is widely touted as evidence of the advancement of society, helping to bring about a better world that makes us healthier, happier, and our lives easier. While this argument can be made, it’s becoming more apparent that technology is also making it easier for racism, bigotry and white supremacy to expand its reach. Given …
I used to believe that Zionism was ingrained in Judaism. Every Jewish group I interacted with seemed to be pro-Zionist. It’s logical: people are inclined to support their homeland. I am Jewish, therefore I support the state of Israel. My first interaction with anti-Zionist Jews came at a pro-Israel rally. I saw a couple of Neturei …
The Appalling Rise of Jewish Antisemitism on Campus Read More »
Charles Bronfman is a remarkable man. With a net worth of $2.3 billion (U.S.), according to Forbes, he is greatly admired for his philanthropy, community leadership and of course, his past ownership of the Montreal Expos. Now I am not one to read many books as I spend virtually all of my free time on the …
Getting to know Businessman, Philanthropist and Community Leader Charles Bronfman Read More »
It’s a wonderful document full of beautiful, well-written ideas, like the argument that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” And that “the wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to …
The next Quebec provincial election is fewer than two years away and the current Liberal government, led by flip-flopping Premier Philippe Couillard, must be feeling somewhat uneasy after the Parti Québécois elected the very smooth Jean-François Lisée as its new leader. There is only one reason why the Liberals still lead in the polls and …
Lisée’s Victory as New PQ Leader could be Bad News for Liberals Read More »
As a city councillor in the mostly-Jewish Montreal municipality of Côte Saint-Luc, one of my portfolios is naming rights. When we attach a name to a park, building, street or event, a tremendous amount of thought and consideration goes into the process. Most recently we renamed a street after the legendary Rabbi Sidney Shoham, who passed away …
Did Jacques Parizeau Really Deserve to have a Park Named After Him? Read More »
