Antisemitism is Canada’s Warning
Lord Dr. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once warned that antisemitism never stops with Jews. His insight—that hatred of Jews is a harbinger of deeper societal decay—has never been more relevant, especially here in Canada. The rise of antisemitism isn’t just a problem for Jews; it’s a signal that our entire society is unraveling.
Rabbi Sacks understood antisemitism as an early indicator of broader societal dysfunction. When a country tolerates this hatred, it reflects a collapse of the values that sustain it—justice, tolerance, and truth. As he often reminded us, “The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews.” This chilling pattern has played out repeatedly in history, and now, it’s happening in Canada.
In recent years, Canada has seen an alarming surge in antisemitic incidents. B’nai Brith’s annual audit recorded 5,791 antisemitic occurrences in 2023, far surpassing previous records. The Jewish school, Toronto’s Bais Chaya Mushka, has been targeted with gunfire—twice in one year. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader, dangerous trend that mirrors the breakdown in civil discourse and the erosion of trust in public institutions.
Antisemitism thrives in societies that are confused about their own values. In Canada, where diversity and inclusion have long been cornerstones of our national identity, this resurgence of hate challenges the very fabric of who we are. Antisemitism isn’t just a rejection of Jewish people—it’s a rejection of the ideals that Canada was built upon: mutual respect, tolerance, and acceptance.
We are witnessing a country torn between its aspirations and its growing divisions. The rise of antisemitism is not occurring in a vacuum. It reflects deeper fractures in our society—growing political polarization, rampant misinformation, and a loss of faith in democratic institutions. As conspiracy theories spread, Jews once again become scapegoats for societal anxieties, echoing a familiar and dangerous pattern from history.
This is more than just a problem for the Jewish community. Antisemitism, as Rabbi Sacks pointed out, is a litmus test for a society’s health. When hatred against Jews is tolerated, it signals a collapse of the moral framework that protects everyone. Antisemitism is not just about the Jewish people—it’s about the integrity of our society as a whole. When bigotry is left unchecked, it opens the door to wider societal breakdown and violence.
Canada has always been proud of its multicultural identity, but the rise of antisemitism indicates that our core values are under threat. We are at a critical juncture. If we allow this hatred to spread, we risk losing the essence of what defines us as a nation. Antisemitism is not only a warning for Jews—it is a warning for Canada.
The stakes are high. If we do not confront this resurgence of hate, we risk undermining the very principles that have made Canada a beacon of diversity and inclusion. Rabbi Sacks’ words ring true now more than ever: “The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews.” It is a lesson we ignore at our peril.