Read Avi's Editorial on Times of Israel

It Has Been Another Interesting Week

I was warmly welcomed by Ryerson University'sPresident Mohamed Lachemi who introduced me to the university's new provost andVice President Academic, Michael Benarroch. Benarroch was dean of theUniversity of Manitoba's Asper School of Business and comes with an impressiverecord of accomplishment, including receipt in 2009 of the Shem Tov Award forservice to the community by the Jewish Foundation of Winnipeg. We discussedmany issues concerning inclusion, diversity, free speech, antisemitism andracism, the boycott campaigns and the far-ranging social challenges leaders ofinstitutions are consumed by today. In all, the university has certainly madeheadway in the last number of months, and while few guarantees exist andchallenges lurk on the horizon, the university is being steered by twowell-meaning leaders, including its Chancellor, Lawrence Bloomberg.

On the heels of thismeeting was a strong letter against antisemitism delivered to our offices fromMinister Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. Responding to our requestthat Canada adopt the working definition of antisemitism pronounced by theInternational Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), the Ministerenthusiastically expressed the government's support for the IHRA workingdefinition. A portion of Minister Joly's letter reads: "Canada hasbeen a full member of the IHRA, and served as its Chair from March 2013 toFebruary 2014. Canada strongly supports the working definition of antisemitismand the illustrative examples that were adopted by consensus in May 2016."

In light of risingantisemitism, including this week's unparalleled antisemitic attacks inmultiple public spaces coast to coast, the Canadian government's reinforcementof the IHRA definition of antisemitism is critical, if not imperative. Still,the "white power" and "KKK" graffiti found in Ontario parksthis week coupled with "Arbeit Macht Frei" ("Work Sets YouFree") graffiti in a Quebec park is cause for concern for all who believein the fight against racism, intolerance and hate.

Earlier this week, Ifound myself walking through Yorkdale's Holt Renfrew store upon receivingreports of a clothing line called Miu Miu having a yellow star sewn onto someof its clothing on the upper left. Not dissimilar to the yellow star the Nazismade Jews wear to identify themselves, sure enough, there it was on a prettylittle dress sitting on the rack. After my complaint to the Manager followed byour organization's complaint to Holt's head office, the company pulled theproduct from its stores. In a statement to one of our board members, Miu Miusaid, "It was not Miu Miu's intent in any way to make any politicalor religious statement, and we apologize for any offence that may have beentaken. Kindly note that effective immediately these items will be removedfrom the collection."

That is why we cannotsit on our laurels. This week, we are launching a petition calling uponOntario's Attorney General, Yasir Naqvi, to forcefully respond to incidents ofhate and intolerance all across Ontario. Since hate crime and hate speechcharges require crown consent, it rests with the AG's office to respond tocommunity and police concerns, particularly with respect to the annual haterally called "Al Quds Day" and the distribution of hate materialslike "Your Ward News" and even hateful websites. As a society, wecannot be silent. It is our duty and obligation to speak out against hate andintolerance.

And with this in mind,this week also brought me to the offices of Ontario's NDP party executive toopen a channel of communication and to express concerns. The executive wasreceptive and demonstrated a willingness to speak openly - particularly as it relatedto antisemitism and anti-racism. Indeed, our universal championship of humanrights through our programs like Tour for Humanity, Freedom Day, Compassion toAction, Speakers Idol and others demonstrate our shared enthusiasm for buildinga respectful and compassionate society.

This too was my messageyesterday at York University, as a presenter at a conference for the Faculty ofEducation. My topic, "Ever Again" focused on the reoccurrence ofantisemitism throughout the ages and in Canada. The diverse and to-be educatorsin the room learned about the length of Jewish history in Canada and thecurrent rising tide of antisemitism - even on university campuses themselves.  

Taking action andbuilding bridges should be our most important mechanism for repair of theworld. A willingness to have tough discussions even in the 'lion's den' is aparamount motivation for me and for the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center.

 Shabbat Shalom,

 Avi