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Seth Goren

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May 7, 2026, 8:44 PM

Remembering You’re Not Alone

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Last Friday, Hillel Ontario partnered with Beth Tzedec Congregation in Toronto to host Shabbat dinner for over 120 Jewish and Iranian students. The following is a reflection of my comments at the event. Many of us are well aware of...

Feb 23, 2026, 9:27 PM

Theory and Practice

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My colleague Jay Solomon recently wrote about the impact on Jewish students and Jewish identity of treating “Zionist” as a slur. He shares illustrations of their experiences on campus and how students are pushing back on narratives that dismiss...

Feb 12, 2026, 10:33 PM

A Tension in Cultivating Allies

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One of the primary modes for combatting antisemitism and advocating for Jews and Israel is cultivating non-Jewish allies, individuals who can support, stand beside, and speak up with us. One rationale for this is a recognition of our community’s...

Jan 15, 2026, 6:22 PM

Campus Antisemitism: Different, Not Better

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One of the most common questions I get asked about Jewish campus life centres on antisemitism: Is it getting better? Whether based in hope that it is, the slightly fewer examples of campus-based Jew hatred in our Instagram feeds,...

Nov 27, 2025, 8:49 PM

The Power of Narrative and the Power of Reporting

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to join members of the Jewish community at Queen’s Park. This CIJA-organized Lobby Day is an opportunity for elected representatives to hear Jewish perspectives and priorities on matters facing the community in...

Nov 19, 2025, 10:40 PM

Offering Rebuke

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The November 5 incident at Toronto Metropolitan University was beyond disturbing. Even setting aside the rising antisemitism it reflects, the prospect that uninvited people would interrupt a private event in a private space, damage property, and leave multiple attendees...

Nov 5, 2025, 4:07 PM

I’ve always struggled with expressions like, “Our community is open to everyone,” or “Everyone should be able to bring their whole selves here.” I get the sentiment. These kinds of phrases are intended to reflect a community’s warmth, support, and...

Oct 30, 2025, 4:20 PM

Towards the Margins of Campus

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The other week I wrote about how antisemitism has leached into the groundwater on campus. As a result, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is a boon for everyone, including those on campus, but there remains serious work ahead...

Oct 22, 2025, 3:18 AM

‘It’s Complicated’: Advocacy and Jewish Identity

Jewish identity is complicated. It’s a religious identity. Or it’s an ethnic identity. Or it’s a racialized identity. Or it’s a national identity. Or it’s a cultural identity. Or it’s a type of ancestry. Or it’s some combination of...

Oct 17, 2025, 12:03 AM

The Continuing Remediation

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The past week has been filled with scenes of joy, as Jewish communities around the world marked the return of those hostages still alive from their captivity in Gaza. It’s nearly impossible to watch the reunions with family and...

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About Me

Originally from Philadelphia, Rabbi Seth Goren lives in Toronto and is Hillel Ontario's Chief Executive Officer.