CJCF welcomes ruling by Court of Appeal of Ontario on Sears case

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum (CJCF) has welcomed the ruling of the Court of Appeal of Ontario, rejecting the attempt by the editor of  an antisemitic Toronto publication  to appeal his conviction for promoting hate.

In a written decision released on  July 16, 2021, the Court rejected the attempts to appeal the convictions of James Sears on two counts of willfully promoting hatred against identifiable groups - Jews and women - contrary to S.319(2) of the Criminal Code for statements written and published in Your Ward News. The statements appeared in Your Ward News, distributed in Toronto and online between January, 2015 and June, 2018.

"This decision reaffirms once more, as has been determined by the Supreme Court of Canada and multiple other courts, that our justice  system is  capable of understanding the difference between hate speech, as it is now clearly defined and interpreted ,and merely offensive or distasteful statements," said Les Scheininger, spokesperson for the CJCF. "As was found in this most recent decision, the governing legal principles were set by the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of antisemitic Alberta school teacher James Keegstra in 1990 and guide the Courts in applying the test for promotion of hatred. As in the Your Ward News case, in which the Court was able to determine the distinction between hate speech and satire, the Courts have been capable of applying the law set out in the Keegstra case and deciding which statements are stronger than  'dislike' and  'disdain' or only ''discredit, humiliate, hurt or offend."  It is nonetheless sad to see decades after the courts dealt firmly with  the likes of Keegstra, Ernst Zundel and others that individuals like this still taint our society with their hatred.

"In Canada, we have the tools to combat hate, whether it is spread by public statements, written word or on the internet. It is the responsibility of government and law enforcement authorities to strongly enforce the law."

About the  Canadian Jewish Community Forum

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum was formally launched on May 27, 2021 by a  group of former Canadian Jewish Congress senior leaders from coast to coast. For 92 years, until its dissolution in 2011, CJC was  recognized as  the Parliament of Canadian Jewry and served as the community’s democratic and grassroots voice, advocate and intervenor with governments, courts and other communities, domestically and internationally.  The CJCF will  provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel.

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Contact:

Mike Cohen

Communications Advisor, communicationsmjc@gmail.com

CJCF Commends Important Initiative of Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum wishes to commend members of the national legislatures of Australia, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States who came together across party lines to launch the Inter-Parliamentary Task Force to Combat Online Antisemitism. 

“We wish to commend these leaders for taking the important international initiative to address the urgent dangers which are getting worse on a daily basis resulting in worldwide physical assaults, deaths and civil insurrection,” said CJCF Spokesperson Les Scheininger.

Mr. Scheininger said that the CJCF wishes to thank these leaders for their hard work and diligence to date and welcomes the intentions to continue the efforts.

“We appreciate the preliminary recommendation that legislators should consider ways to make the online space safer for all for all,” Mr.  Scheininger said. “Thirty countries have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. World political leaders and civil society condemn racism. Numerous internet providers have banned various other examples of objectionable posts. Yet, in spite of repeated calls for self-regulation and self-policing, announcements of proposed changes and new proposed legislation, racist posts still persist and are becoming more prevalent.”

The CJCF hopes that the next stages of the Task Force work includes the study of the use of existing international legislation, including the Canadian Criminal Code and its enforcement, present international conventions and protocols criminalizing racist and xenophobic acts and the need for legislators to take responsibility for ensuring that there are criminal prosecutions rather than placing the burden on groups and individuals to take action.

About the  Canadian Jewish Community Forum

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum was formally launched on May 27, 2021 by a  group of former Canadian Jewish Congress senior leaders from coast to coast. For 92 years, until its dissolution in 2011, CJC was  recognized as  the Parliament of Canadian Jewry and served as the community’s democratic and grassroots voice, advocate and intervenor with governments, courts and other communities, domestically and internationally.  The CJCF will  provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel

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Contact:

Mike Cohen

Communications Advisor, communicationsmjc@gmail.com 

CJCF Manitoba Region expresses deep concern over possible exclusion of mohels to perform circumcisions in a home or synagogue

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum, Manitoba Region, has voiced its concerns with the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons, which appears to prevent mohels who are physicians from performing circumcisions in a home or synagogue. In Winnipeg all the mohels are physicians.

CJCF Manitoba Spokesperson Israel  Ludwig  said that the   College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba's Draft Standard of Practice for Performing Office-Based Procedures (including cosmetic/aesthetic and minor surgical procedures, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and laser service), is now in the public domain for consultation and feedback.

Israel Ludwig

Included in this Standard of Practice are male circumcisions. In section 2.1 of the draft, it is noted "members must not perform, or cause, permit, or enable another person to perform any procedure in a location other than a medical clinic." The performance of male circumcision by members (physicians) has been included in the draft, however as Mr.  Ludwig points out the performance of male circumcision as part of a brit milah, or part of a religious ceremony, was not explicitly referenced. 

"If brought into force, this draft as it is currently worded., would therefore make the performance of a Jewish brit milah by a physician outside of a medical clinic a violation of the College's Standard of Practice," Mr. Ludwig stated in a letter to  The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba. "The brit milah has deep and fundamental roots in Jewish tradition and our heritage. Abraham was commanded by God to circumcise his son Isaac on the eighth day following birth. Since then, Jewish people have faithfully and continuously followed this commandment for thousands of years. A covenant between Jews and God, the brit milah is an indelible physical symbol of our everlasting bond with God. In addition, it is the rite of passage whereby our newborn sons are welcomed into the Jewish community, surrounded by the love of their family and friends. This ceremony is often performed in a synagogue or a family home."

Mr. Ludwig said  there is overwhelming evidence in peer-reviewed medical journals of the safety of circumcision and the skill of a trained and certified mohel  -the person who performs the Jewish rite of circumcision). "I urge you to consider the implications of this standard, which would infringe on our right to religious freedom, and amend the proposed Standard of Practice to explicitly exclude Jewish ritual male circumcisions," his leteter states.

About the  Canadian Jewish Community Forum

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum was formally launched on May 27, 2021 by a  group of former Canadian Jewish Congress senior leaders from coast to coast. For 92 years, until its dissolution in 2011, CJC was  recognized as  the Parliament of Canadian Jewry and served as the community’s democratic and grassroots voice, advocate and intervenor with governments, courts and other communities, domestically and internationally.  The CJCF will  provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel.

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Contact:

Mike Cohen
Communications Advisor, 514-826-0383

 

CJCF holds Insiders Briefing on Quebec's Bill 21

 The Canadian Jewish Community Forum held an Insiders Briefing on Bill 21,  An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State. On April 21   the Quebec Superior Court struck down key provisions of the legislation. This decision was specific to all English language school boards based on Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

English Montreal School Board Chair Joe Ortona and  Ted Goloff, past president of the Lord Reading Law Society, addressed the virtual gathering. This included CJCF members from coast to coast and leadership from the Canadian Greek community.

The CJCF is a new organization, established by  new leadership and former leaders of the Canadian Jewish Congress, which disbanded 10 years ago. It intends to provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel.

The Lord Reading Law Society was founded in 1948 to promote the interests of Jewish members of the Quebec Bar.

Mr, Ortona  explained that the EMSB’s position has always been that Bill 21 conflicted with its values and mission and with those of all Quebecers as expressed in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. “Its very adoption was contrary to our societal goal of promoting our peaceful co-existence in a pluralistic and inclusive Quebec,” he noted. “We argued successfully that Section 23 guarantees minority language educational rights to English-speaking minorities in Quebec, including the exclusive right of management and control of minority language schools.” 

Joe Ortona addresses media after the decision.

“Section 23 has evolved through the years and successive decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada have recognized an exclusive right of management and control accorded to linguistic minority communities across Canada for the operations of their public school systems. For this reason we urged the Quebec government to refrain from appealing the judgement. Unfortunately they did not follow that route. So we prepare now for our next date in court.

“Pour comprendre la décision rendue, il faut remonter à octobre 2019, mois au cours duquel la CSEM s’est jointe au Conseil national des musulmans canadiens, à l’Association canadienne des libertés civiles, aux enseignants et enseignantes qui portent un signe religieux et à la Fédération autonome de l’enseignement, qui est un syndicat d’enseignants et d’enseignantes, dans la contestation de la validité de la loi 21 devant la Cour supérieure du Québec. La loi 21 est entrée en vigueur le 16 juillet 2019 et a empêché les enseignants et enseignantes des écoles publiques, les avocats et avocates travaillant pour l’État, les juges et les policiers et policières de porter un signe religieux au travail. »  »

Mr, Ortona said that we have seen the negative impact of Law 21 on our staff- many of whom wear Kipas-  and on the culture in our schools and centres. “The law is forcing individuals to choose between government employment and a desire to wear religious apparel. We have had to refuse employment to some qualified candidates and promotions for others. And of course, many have simply not applied.

The Lord Reading Law Society had standing before the court and has appealed the decision. Mr. Goloff prepared for and pleaded the Society’s challenge to the law. CJCF Quebec spokesperson Frank Schlesinger also chairs the Society’s Human Rights Committee. The Society  took the position that the law has no reason to exist and, in fact, will create and worsen divisions in Quebec rather than solve any problem, the existence of which problem has yet to be proved.

 Ted Goloff at court with immediate Past President Greg Azancot and Frank Schlesinger .

Mr. Goloff argued the illegality of Bill 21, its disastrous effects and that it ought to be struck down, notwithstanding the invocation of the notwithstanding clauses of the Quebec and Canadian Charters. He also cited the “Hart Act” of 1832 that emancipated Jews in the Province of Quebec, the effects of which cannot be struck down by Bill 21.  

There was a tremendous amount of discussion among the participants at the meeting. Discussion moved into Bill 96 and Bill C-32,  language legislation being proposed by the Quebec and Canadian governments.

“Each time the notwithstanding clause is used, it chips away at all of our rights,” said Hal Joffe, a CJCF member from Calgary.

 CJCF National Steering Committee spokesperson Les Scheininger and Mr. Schlesinger agreed that more insider briefings like this will be organized.

CJCF Welcomes Quebec government's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism/Le Forum de la communauté juive du Canada (FCJC) se réjouit de l'adoption par le gouvernement du Québec de la définition de l'antisémitisme

Montreal, June 10, 2021-   The Canadian Jewish Community Forum (CJCF) welcomes the Quebec government’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. 

“We commend Premier Francois Legault, Minister  Benoit Charette, and the National Assembly for supporting this milestone, worldwide initiative,”  said Frank Schlesinger, spokesperson in Quebec for the CJCF.

IHRA’s working definition on antisemitism was developed by a consortium of 34 countries in 2019. Since then, many other jurisdictions have signed on. The definition is aimed at educating people of all ages, and sensitizing individuals, institutions, and policy makers to the dangers of Holocaust denial, antisemitism, and discrimination against the Roma. 

Although Jewish Canadians represent one per cent of the total population, close to 20 per cent of all hate crimes target the Jewish community and its institutions, an appalling statistic. Noting that there is no place for violence or discrimination against any community, Mr. Schlesinger added that CJCF encourages all citizens to stand together and reject all expressions of antisemitism, racism, hate  and indifference.

About the  Canadian Jewish Community Forum

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum was formally launched on May 27, 2021 by a  group of former Canadian Jewish Congress senior leaders from coast to coast. For 92 years, until its dissolution in 2011, CJC was  recognized as  the Parliament of Canadian Jewry and served as the community’s democratic and grassroots voice, advocate and intervenor with governments, courts and other communities, domestically and internationally.  The CJCF will  provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel.

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Contact:

Mike Cohen

Communications Advisor

514-826-0383

Montreal, le 10 juin, 2021- Le Forum de la communauté juive du Canada (FCJC) se réjouit de l'adoption par le gouvernement du Québec de la définition de l'antisémitisme de l'Alliance internationale pour la mémoire de l'Holocauste (IHRA). Le porte-parole du FCJC au Québec, Frank Schlesinger, a déclaré : " Nous félicitons le premier ministre, ainsi que le ministre M. Benoit Charette et l'Assemblée nationale d'avoir soutenu cette initiative mondiale éminente. "

La définition de l'IHRA sur l'antisémitisme a été élaborée par un consortium de 34 pays en 2019. Depuis, de nombreuses autres juridictions y ont adhéré. La définition vise à éduquer les personnes de tous âges et à sensibiliser les individus, les institutions et les décideurs aux dangers du déni de l'Holocauste, de l'antisémitisme et de la discrimination à l'égard des Roms.

Bien que les Canadiens juifs représentent un pour cent de la population totale, près de 20 pour cent de tous les crimes haineux visent la communauté juive et ses institutions, une statistique alarmante. Notant qu'il n'y a pas de place pour la violence ou la discrimination contre quelque communauté que ce soit, M. Schlesinger a ajouté que "FCJC encourage tous les citoyens à faire front commun et à rejeter toutes les expressions d'antisémitisme, de racisme, de haine et d'indifférence."

À propos du Forum de la communauté juive du Canada

Le Forum de la communauté juive du Canada a été officiellement lancé le 27 mai 2021 par un groupe d'anciens hauts dirigeants du Congrès juif canadien d'un océan à l'autre. Pendant 92 ans, jusqu'à sa dissolution en 2011, le CJC a été reconnu comme le Parlement des Juifs canadiens et a servi de voix démocratique et populaire de la communauté, de défenseur et d'intervenant auprès des gouvernements, des tribunaux et des autres communautés, à l'échelle nationale et internationale.  Le FCJC se veut être un forum pour éduquer, discuter et débattre des questions d'intérêt et de préoccupation, tant régionales que nationales, qui ont un impact sur le Canada, la communauté juive canadienne et le bien-être du peuple d'Israël.

communicationsmjc@gmail.com

CJCF Condemns act of “terrorism” on Muslim family

Toronto, June 9, 2021-    Leadership from the Canadian Jewish Community Forum (CJCF) have expressed their shock and horror following the attack in London, Ontario  that killed four members of a Muslim family and left one child in hospital.

“We extend our deepest condolences to this family, their friends and their community,” stated Les Scheininger, spokesman for the CJCF National Steering Committee. “The perpetrator of this crime chose to murder four innocent human beings and severely injure another merely because of their religion. This was targeted racism and Islamophobia of the worst kind.We stand with the Muslim community and with Canadians across the country in condemning this heinous act."

   About the  Canadian Jewish Community Forum

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum was formally launched on May 27, 2021 by a  group of former Canadian Jewish Congress senior leaders from coast to coast. For 92 years, until its dissolution in 2011, CJC was  recognized as  the Parliament of Canadian Jewry and served as the community’s democratic and grassroots voice, advocate and intervenor with governments, courts and other communities, domestically and internationally.  The CJCF will  provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel.

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Contact:

Mike Cohen

Communications Advisor

514-826-0383

communicationsmjc@gmail.com

CJCF expresses deep sadness over the tragic discovery of 215 aboriginal children’s graves/ Le CJCF exprime sa profonde tristesse suite à la découverte tragique de 215 tombes d'enfants autochtones

Toronto, June 3, 2021- With the tragic discovery of the bodies of 215 Aboriginal children in unmarked graves behind a residential school in Kamloops BC,  the Canadian Jewish Community Forum wants to honour the memory of each child.

“As Jews we know all too well the pain and horror of genocide most especially so the deaths of our children at the hands of others,” said Les Scheininger, the spokesman for the CJCF Steering Committee.

“Please remember they were children, they all had a name, they were all loved by their families before they were kidnapped and taken to these awful places. They were beaten, their souls destroyed and it took us over 100 years to even begin to talk about the genocide of First Nations. May their memories be for a blessing.”

 About the  Canadian Jewish Community Forum

The Canadian Jewish Community Forum was formally launched on May 27, 2021 by a  group of former Canadian Jewish Congress senior leaders from coast to coast. For 92 years, until its dissolution in 2011, CJC was  recognized as  the Parliament of Canadian Jewry and served as the community’s democratic and grassroots voice, advocate and intervenor with governments, courts and other communities, domestically and internationally.  The CJCF will  provide a forum to educate, discuss and debate issues of interest and concern, both regional and national, that impact Canada, the Canadian Jewish community and the welfare of the people of Israel.

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Contact:

Mike Cohen

Communications Advisor

514-826-0383

communicationsmjc@gmail.com

 Le CJCF exprime sa profonde tristesse suite à la découverte tragique de 215 tombes d'enfants autochtones

Toronto, le 3 juin 2021- Avec la découverte tragique des corps de 215 enfants autochtones dans des tombes non marquées derrière un pensionnat de Kamloops en Colombie-Britannique, le Forum communautaire juif canadien veut honorer la mémoire de chaque enfant.

"En tant que Juifs, nous ne connaissons que trop bien la douleur et l'horreur du génocide, et plus particulièrement la mort de nos enfants aux mains d'autres personnes", a déclaré Les Scheininger, porte-parole du comité directeur du CJCF.

"N'oubliez pas qu'il s'agissait d'enfants, qu'ils avaient tous un nom, qu'ils étaient tous aimés par leur famille avant d'être enlevés et emmenés dans ces lieux horribles. Ils ont été battus, leurs âmes ont été détruites et il nous a fallu plus de 100 ans pour commencer à parler de notre génocide des Premières nations. Que leurs souvenirs soient une bénédiction".

 À propos du Forum de la communauté juive canadienne

Le Forum de la communauté juive canadienne a été officiellement lancé le 27 mai 2021 par un groupe d'anciens hauts dirigeants du Congrès juif canadien d'un océan à l'autre. Pendant 92 ans, jusqu'à sa dissolution en 2011, le CJC a été reconnu comme le Le Parlement des Juifs canadiens et a servi de voix démocratique et populaire de la communauté, de défenseur et d'intervenant auprès des gouvernements, des tribunaux et des autres communautés, à l'échelle nationale et internationale.  Le CJCF fournira un forum pour éduquer, discuter et débattre des questions d'intérêt et de préoccupation, tant régionales que nationales, qui ont un impact sur le Canada, la communauté juive canadienne et le bien-être du peuple d'Israël.