Celebrating legacy, choosing connection

For generations, Canada has been shaped by Jewish communities. Trailblazing figures like Ezekiel Hart, whose 1807 election helped spur the fight for equal political rights, and Léa Roback, a 20^th century activist who advanced workers’ rights and social justice across Quebec, have helped build the diverse and inclusive society Canada strives to be, with contributions spanning medicine, law, the arts, academia and more.  

Jewish Heritage Month is a time to celebrate this legacy and its profound impact across the country. 

At yet, this moment unfolds amid an ongoing rise in antisemitism across Canada.  

A recent Senate report has called for stronger education efforts, improved data collection on hate and bias, and more effective action to counter misinformation, particularly on digital platforms, where harmful narratives can spread rapidly. Senator Kristopher Wells warned that “angry algorithms” are amplifying division by fueling outrage and isolation, emphasizing the need to return to human connection and dialogue as a way to counter hate and rebuild understanding. 

At the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) over the past year, we have been proud to support events, projects and partnerships that celebrate Jewish history and challenge antisemitism, from youth summits to community interfaith dialogues, from Yellowknife to Halifax, from Montreal to Brampton. Across the country, these initiatives have brought together students, educators, faith leaders, and community members to deepen understanding, build skills for respectful dialogue, and cultivate solidarity across differences. Campus-wide Shabbat gatherings uniting Jewish students and allies, professional training advancing anti-racism in social services, grassroots programs empowering youth through culture, conversation, and shared experience each reflect a commitment to fostering meaningful connection and encouraging open exchange.  

At a time when Jewish people in Canada—nearly 400,000 people representing a vibrant and diverse community—continue to face rising antisemitism and remain the most targeted group for police-reported religious hate crimes in Canada, the work we have supported responds with both urgency and hope. By creating spaces for encounter between Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Indigenous, and other communities, they model how dialogue can replace division and how Canadians must come together to strengthen equity, belonging, and social cohesion. 

Just like Hart, Roback, and the many others who brought Canadians together in shared civic purpose, helping to build a more just, inclusive country for all. 

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