Jewish Canadians have contributed significantly to the country’s culture, justice system, and communities. Alongside many other diverse groups, their impact—from celebrated artists and judges to Holocaust survivors rebuilding their lives and young leaders driving change—spans every province and field.

Yet, during Jewish Heritage Month—a time meant for recognition and reflection—I often feel our story is overlooked. Our identity is pushed to the margins. Our pain is too often dismissed.

Why do so many in my community feel invisible in Canada’s national conversations about identity, inclusion, and justice? This invisibility is not accidental. It reflects deeper tensions and misunderstandings woven into Canada’s identity narratives.

A Canadian Issue, Not a Fringe Concern

Today’s antisemitism in Canada often appears subtly. It may not take the form of obvious slurs or symbols but surfaces in spaces that claim to be inclusive—academic conferences, art venues, political movements—where Jewish voices are marginalized, grief questioned, and identity treated as negotiable.

Canada’s history with antisemitism ranges from early 20th-century immigration restrictions to the internment of Jewish refugees during World War II. While Canada has made progress—adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism, funding Holocaust education, and supporting multicultural initiatives—these efforts remain incomplete.

Zionism, the political and cultural movement advocating for a Jewish homeland, represents Jewish self-determination but is often misunderstood or unfairly portrayed. This misunderstanding contributes to marginalizing Jewish perspectives, making it harder for Jewish Canadians to fully express their identities and concerns.

Leaving out Jewish voices from public conversations ignores an important part of Canada’s story. Jewish Canadians are not visitors or historical footnotes—we are citizens, present and deeply rooted.

The rising tide of antisemitism isn’t fringe; it tests Canada’s commitment to pluralism. Failing to address it risks repeating painful mistakes. But if Canada confronts this honestly—without euphemisms or excuses—there’s still time to keep Jewish life visible and valued.

Let that be a shared responsibility.

The Role of Jewish Organizations and Allies

Jewish groups across Canada work tirelessly to fight antisemitism, raise awareness, and bring people together. Organizations like the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), B’nai Brith, and local federations offer crucial support and speak up for the community.

But true progress needs more than Jewish voices alone. Allies—individuals and communities committed to calling out antisemitism wherever it appears—are essential. Solidarity means confronting antisemitism clearly, consistently, and without hesitation—alongside opposition to all forms of discrimination.

Still, despite these efforts, Jewish stories and experiences too often remain absent from the broader public conversation.

Erased from the Narrative

In 2020, Jewish Canadians were the most frequently targeted religious group in reported hate crimes. These numbers represent vandalized synagogues, hateful online messages, and harassment in public spaces. Yet, media and public discussions often overlook these realities.

This exclusion extends to classrooms and cultural institutions. While other communities rightly feature prominently in curricula and programming, Jewish history is often limited to Holocaust memorials—or omitted altogether.

Jewish exile, survival, and return are often framed primarily as geopolitical issues rather than deeply human stories—an approach that overlooks the personal pain and resilience behind these experiences. Similarly, antisemitism is frequently brushed off as a relic of Europe’s past, ignored in today’s Canada. Together, these narrow perspectives distort reality and leave Jewish Canadians feeling isolated and unheard.

Diversity Within the Jewish Community

Jewish Canadians are far from a monolith. Our community includes Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and many other backgrounds with varied beliefs and practices—from secular to Orthodox.

Recognizing this diversity is important because it shows that Jewish life here is vibrant, complex, and far richer than simple stereotypes. It also reveals how antisemitism intersects with other forms of discrimination, which calls for thoughtful understanding and inclusive support.

When Coverage Misses the Full Picture

Jewish Canadians face challenges beyond hate crimes and exclusion. Media coverage of Jewish issues and Israel often falls short.

Mainstream reports frequently highlight Palestinian humanitarian struggles but often ignore serious security threats Israel faces—such as those from Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group openly committed to the destruction of Israel.

This imbalance leaves Jewish perspectives underrepresented. It oversimplifies a deeply nuanced conflict, ignoring the broad spectrum of Jewish and Israeli experiences.

The reality is complex, with moral, political, and emotional layers that must be recognized. Honest conversations require this complexity. Good journalism should be fair, thoughtful, and respectful—showing the full picture, not just controversy or soundbites. Only then can Canada foster informed and inclusive dialogue.

Pride Without Permission

Still, we show up.

We light candles on Friday nights, pack kosher lunches, and name our children after lost relatives.

In a world that sometimes sees us as a problem, we persist—quietly, stubbornly, and lovingly.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s resistance.

Jewish Canadians contribute both visibly and behind the scenes. We organize food drives, advocate for refugees, run businesses, and serve on school boards. Our culture—rooted in justice, memory, and resilience—is about more than survival. It’s about meaning.

But we shouldn’t have to hide who we are to be accepted.

Jewish pride needs no permission. It doesn’t depend on fitting someone else’s political frame or waiting for an invitation.

What we ask for is simple: the right to live openly and safely—without our pain dismissed, our values distorted, or our presence erased.

What Must Change

If Canada truly wants to be inclusive, Jewish Canadians must be fully recognized in that vision.

That means acknowledging both our contributions and the threats we face. It means listening when we speak about our fears—not dismissing them as exaggerations.

Urgent steps include:

• Education: Jewish history and antisemitism should be meaningfully included in school curricula—not just during commemorative weeks but year-round, as part of Canada’s story.
• Representation: Jewish voices must be present in equity, diversity, and human rights conversations—especially in spaces where they have been marginalized.
• Solidarity: True allyship means confronting antisemitism clearly and consistently, even when it challenges dominant narratives.
• Active Engagement: Canadians must report hate crimes, support Jewish cultural events, and challenge antisemitic rhetoric whenever they encounter it.

Only by taking these steps can Jewish Canadians be truly seen, heard, and valued as integral members of Canadian society.