CAEF Letter to Mayor Chow on Jewish Safety in Toronto
- CAEF
- a few seconds ago
- 2 min read
Mayor Olivia Chow
City of Toronto
Dear Mayor Chow,
Words seem to fail you when it comes to addressing Jew hatred; while your words provoke anti-Jewish sentiments because you unjustly reject the truth. Facts fail you; you then fail civic society in Toronto.
So, I am sending you the recent recorded message from Mayor Jeremy Farkas of Calgary whose short speech at a recent Chanukah menorah lighting set the proper tone, embraced truth, justice, democracy and the diversity of Canada. Importantly, Mayor Farkas rejected radicalism, jihadism, terrorism, anti-Zionism, antisemitism, and the misguided idea that tolerating the intolerable is righteous. It is not.
Mayor Chow, the Jewish community in this city, as in all cities, towns and villages, in which Jews have settled in this wonderful country, have contributed richly to all aspects of civic, cultural, political, financial and educational life. Jews deserve better than what you have given, but that is not the sole reason I write. History will evaluate your contribution to peace, order and good government, and at the moment you are failing.
You are failing because you have allowed the explosion of hatred on our streets which makes them unsafe for everyone, not just Jewish people. You have not participated in meaningful events in the Jewish community, contributing to Jewish feelings of isolation, not inclusion. Your misspoken words in one particular setting, one that can truly be seen as antisemitic, encouraged lies, libels and attacks against our community, making all minority communities feel vulnerable.
Your term is not over, you can make amends, you can get on the right path, and you can contribute to a safer, welcoming community by following in Mayor Farkas’ steps.
Denounce the haters, remove them from our streets, condemn antisemitism in schools and public institutions, speak out against the threats, become more vigilant and more vocal, show up for the Jewish community, name and shame the Jew haters, and recognize that AntiZionism is just the latest dressed up disguise for antisemitism.
If you have doubts, then listen to the Chief Rabbi of South Africa who sees the next Bondi Beach massacre as potentially occurring here, then take action. Bondi Jihad: Chief Rabbi’s warning
Sincerely,
Andria Spindel, Executive Director
cc. Councillor James Pasternak
Councillor Dianne Saxe
Councillor Brad Bradford
Councillor Mike Colle