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Jewish Heritage Month Is a Bittersweet Time for Canada’s Jews
“Canadian Jews are thankful to live in a country that takes pride in its diversity,” writes FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt in his latest column in the Toronto Star. “And yet, for all the positives, there’s trouble in paradise. Amid disturbing developments on several fronts, Jews can’t afford to be complacent.”
Families Pay Tribute to Texas School Shooting Victims
Families are sharing photos and stories of their loved ones, who lost their lives in a mass shooting in Texas that killed at least 19 children and two adults on Tuesday afternoon.
FSWC is beyond sickened and heartbroken by the news of yet another horrific school shooting south of the border that has taken innocent young lives. Such tragedy is something no parent should have to face. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims.
Canadian Jewish Groups, Leaders Challenge Vancouver Residency of Designated Terrorist
Canadian Jewish groups are calling for the government to take action after a National Post story last month highlighted the residency in Vancouver of a man the State of Israel says is a member of a terror group.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center expressed concern that Khaled Barakat, found to have ties to the terror group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, “remains in Canada with free rein to participate in rallies and meetings."
Schoolkids Clean Up Antisemitic Graffiti Found at Ontario Park
Police launched an investigation after a group of children out for a morning play session came across hateful graffiti, including the N-word and swastikas, on playground equipment in London, Ontario last week. The kids decided to use spray bottles and wipes to clean away the graffiti.
A Jewish Teen Put Her Baby Up for Adoption in WWII. They Just Reunited.
Gerda Cole was an 18-year-old Jewish refugee in England with no money and no job when she gave her daughter up for adoption in 1942. Eight decades later, her 79-year-old daughter travelled from England to Toronto to meet her.
This Dutch Town Hid Jews During the Holocaust. Eight Decades Later, It’s Welcoming Fleeing Ukrainian Refugees
Lauded as “the village that kept silent,” Nieuwlande was named “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem after people in the Dutch town helped hide hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust. Today, residents are opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees.
House Passes Measure Condemning Antisemitism
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure last week condemning the rise of antisemitism. The resolution, which passed 420-1, calls on elected officials, faith leaders and leaders in civil society “to condemn and combat any and all manifestations of antisemitism,” as well as urges individuals to denounce denials or distortions of the Holocaust and encourages them to promote education focused on the Holocaust and antisemitism.
Murdered Artist's Work Returned To Family, 80 Years After The Holocaust
After a demolition crew made a startling art discovery in the walls of a Prague house, the work of Gertrud Kauders, a Jewish artist who was murdered in a Nazi death camp, has been handed over to her descendants.
Volodymyr Zelensky, Mila Kunis, Zoë Kravitz Among Jews on This Year’s Time 100 List
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined several Jewish people in being named to Time magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Other names include actors Mila Kunis, Andrew Garfield, Sarah Jessica Parker and Zoë Kravitz, comedian Pete Davidson, director Taika Waititi and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.
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 jaime@fswc.ca.
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