Shana Tova – 5786 – שנה טובה

שנה טובה | Shana tova.

This year, Rosh Hashana, the two-day holiday marking the Jewish New Year 5786, begins Monday evening, September 22.

Over the past few years, I have talked about how Rosh Hashana (literally “head of the year”) is different from the celebrations marking the arrival of January 1. It is a time of reflection and introspection. We review the previous year, and look ahead to the next.

As I reflect, I note that the past two years have been unlike any other in my lifetime. For Jews around the world, these are extremely troubling times. Jews in Europe and North America are actively questioning whether it is safe to wear signs that visibly identify ourselves.

As I noted two years ago, the first month in the Jewish calendar (Tishrei) is filled with holidays – what should properly be termed Holy Days. Combined with Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, there are 7 holy days this month. This year, all of the 7 holy days fall mid-week, meaning that observant Jews need to take a lot of time away from the office. Rosh Hashana is on the 1st and 2nd of Tishrei; Yom Kippur is on the 10th of Tishrei (this year falling on October 2); Sukkot runs from the 15th to the 22nd of Tishrei, so October 7-8 and October 14-15 (the first two and the last two days) are holy days. Please try to help your employees, your colleagues, your students, by making reasonable accommodations for observance of the holidays. My office will close Monday (September 22) at 2pm for the holidays.

In 2023, the last day of Sukkot fell on October 7, a day that forever changed the world for Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora. A few weeks in advance of that day, in my 2023 post, I asked if the world was more tolerant than I experienced in my early working years. That was before we witnessed the waves of antisemitism that have continued to rise over the past two years.

Earlier this week, CBC/Radio-Canada’s French language Washington correspondent said, “My understanding, and that of multiple analysts here in the United States, is that it is the Israelis, the Jews, that finance American politics a lot. There is a big machine behind them, making it very difficult for Americans to detach themselves from Israel’s positions. It’s really money here in the United States. The big cities are run by Jews, Hollywood is run by Jews.” To its credit, less than a day later, CBC relieved the journalist of her duties indefinitely.

I am even more concerned about her preamble. She said on-air that her antisemitic understanding is shared by “multiple analysts here in the United States”, and no doubt across Canada and around the world. As a result, CBC/Radio-Canada’s journalist got caught because she spoke the quiet part out loud. How many others share her views, and taint their reporting accordingly, without having exposed themselves?

A year and a half ago, I wrote “Defending my identity”, trying to capture some of my feelings on what was then the 5 month anniversary of the horrific attacks by Hamas. October 7, 2023 marked the start of a global campaign attacking Jewish indigeneity in Israel, a global campaign that began even before Israel’s military entered Gaza to respond to the attacks. I encourage you to re-read that piece to get an appreciation of what Jews like me are feeling as we approach the second anniversary of October 7.

Followers of this website know that I frequently travel to Israel. Israel is an intrinsic part of my Jewish identity. When Jews pray, we face toward Jerusalem. Our prayers and our bible contain countless references to Israel. Major Jewish festivals are tied to agrarian timetables and practices in Israel. I am not an Israeli citizen, but I have family who are.

The events of October 7, 2023 have been deeply troubling to me. The response – or more correctly, the lack of moral leadership – by Canadian officials has been disturbing. The sacking of British Columbia’s NDP cabinet member Selina Robinson demonstrates a pervasive rot – or latent antisemitism – among many political leaders.

I am tired of politicians thinking that the way to respond to antisemitic acts is to write on Twitter that “This is not who we are” or claim that “Hatred and violence against Jewish communities have no place in Canada.”. Condemnations on social media are no match for intimidation by throngs calling “Death to the Jews”. Tweets are ineffective against firebombings and shots fired at synagogues and Jewish community centres.

In defending freedom of expression, I have frequently quoted Aaron Sorkin’s brilliant speech from The American President. “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.”

Still, there are limits to those speech rights. As CIJA said in a statement, “We cannot allow mob-driven demonstrations to obstruct our right to participate fully in society.”

Which brings me to how you fit in to help in defending my identity. In resigning from British Columbia’s provincial NDP caucus, Selina Robinson wrote, “I don’t need your hugs and your emojis. What my community needs however, is for you to stand up to antisemitism.”

Call out hate when you see it online. Tell your elected officials that antisemitism isn’t just a problem for Canada’s Jews. Demand action.

And every once in a while, I’d be OK with a hug.

As I write this, the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk is fresh in the news. He epitomized Sorkin’s description of a man who made some people’s blood boil, but he punctuated his arguments with words, articulating often unpopular perspectives, challenging those with opposing views, and never shying away from a debate. I have personally required police to investigate death threats received as a result of my public profile, in one case on a matter as mundane as telecom policy. “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.”

For the past few years, I’ve observed that the journey we travel over the course of a year often takes some detours, presenting challenges along the way. “It is rarely a smooth, incident-free trip. Sometimes, it feels more like we are riding a roller coaster. Still, we press ahead, continuing to approach each day with a positive outlook, moving forward one step at a time.”

May we soon see the unconditional release of the hostages being held in Gaza and the end of hostilities. May the year ahead be marked by good health, by personal and professional growth, and may it be a year of peace for all. Shana tova.