The Blogs: Etz Chayim Synagogue Hosts Event With MPs Ben Carr & Anthony Housefather

On November 13th, Etz Chayim Synagogue hosted an event called “Canadian Antisemitism: A Conversation with Rabbi Kliel Rose & Special Guest.” The special guest was the Honourable Anthony Housefather, the Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Mount Royal in Quebec. He was joined by Ben Carr, the Liberal MP for Winnipeg South Centre.

Together, they are two of the most prominent Jewish political leaders in the Liberal Party, proudly representing their constituencies in Parliament. Both have been vocal defenders of Israel during the ongoing war and also staunch supporters of Canadian Jewry, especially over the last year, as the amount of antisemitism has reached unprecedented levels in this country.

Ben Carr’s Opening Statement:

The evening event began at 7:00 pm with Mr. Carr taking to the podium first to give some opening remarks before introducing Mr. Housefather.

Mr. Carr praised Mr. Housefather as a colleague in parliament. “Your bonds deepen,” he commented, touching on the isolating feeling of being one of few Jewish Liberals in the House of Commons.

Mr. Carr admitted he must deal with being placed in difficult positions in parliament and is thankful for the support he receives from his colleague. “It’s no secret that he and I have at times been on the other side of the position of our own government,” he said. “I’ll never forget March the 17th, I think, when the NDP motion that was so controversial <was being voted on> and the feeling of standing there, seeing two other people, on my side, taking the same position that I did, one being Margo Mendochino and the other being Anthony, is something that sticks with you. The ambience of being in that chamber, in that House of Commons where these critically important decisions on the future of the country are taken, to feel isolated but at the same time so supportive, is something that I have not forgotten.”

Lauding Mr. Housefather’s character as a parliamentarian, a friend, and a member of the Jewish community, Mr. Carr said, “It’s amazing how often I have people call me and say, ‘God, that Anthony Housefather, he’s such a mensch, you know.’ ‘Anthony Housefather, you ought to be more like him.’ ” He continued, “I am often reminded, as I should be, of what a true mensch he is. I’m grateful, Anthony, for your friendship and for your guidance. I’m deeply respectful of the way in which you advocate for us and the way in which you have helped people like me find their way. In the public sphere and in the private sphere, when it’s not always easy to do so.”

After finishing his short speech, Mr. Carr invited Mr. Housefather up to the podium, saying,g “So, it’s with great pleasure, everybody, that here at Etz Chaim, in my riding of Winnipeg South Centre, in my home city, that I have the opportunity to welcome my dear friend and colleague, Anthony.”

Anthony Housefather’s Speech:

Mr. Housefather began by thanking Rabbi Kliel Rose and the Etz Chayim President Sabrina Bokser for putting on the event. Next, referencing the sentiments Ben Carr had just articulated about feeling isolated, Mr Housefather lamented, “It’s not easy.” He continued, “Being a minority, as we all know, Jews are ~1.2, 1.3 percent of the Canadian population, yet more than 50 percent of hate crimes incidents these days are directed against Jews!” This astonishing figure is, unfortunately, not hyperbole.

Mr. Housefather went on to explain the dynamics of the Liberal Jewish Caucus. “There are now eight and a half Jews in the House of Commons,” he quipped. Six of these individuals are in the Liberal Party, he informed the audience, but two others have also joined the Liberal Jewish Caucus.

Mr. Housefather stressed the importance of this caucus for standing up stronger together, with unity, to speak on Jewish issues. “We have our own chat group, we have our own support group, and we have supported one another. And the Voting March was a tremendous example of how it sometimes takes courage to stand up in the House of Commons against what all of your party members are doing.” Then, turning his gaze back to Mr. Carr, he began to praise the courage of his convictions. “Ben had been an MP for six months in March of last year, and we had to get up alone in the House of Commons to vote against a motion that, in my view, was very unfair to our friend and ally Israel. Ben had the courage to do that,” he exclaimed. Mr. Housefather continued, underlining Ben’s importance as a standard-bearer for Canadian Jews. “That’s why, to me, this community needs a Ben Car. This community has a Jewish voice that fights for Israel, that fights for the Jewish community each and every day. What I say to everyone is that politics is difficult sometimes. Antisemitism is an issue in which we should have no partisanship. We should have support in all parties for the Jewish community!”

Mr. Housefather continued to address the ongoing issue of antisemitism, decrying the disturbing rise in attacks and also taking aim at his own party’s past inaction. “So, when the Prime Minister said, ‘will you take this responsibility to be my special advisor on antisemitism in Jewish communities?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ The reason I most wanted to do it is because I told him, ‘You’re doing a very bad job.’ ”

In part, Mr. Housefather blames the recent rise in antisemitism on complacency. “In Canada, the United States, and Australia, we were somewhat spoiled. I really thought this could never happen in our country. We felt included. While antisemitism existed, it was a fringe minority position. So, in these three countries, where antisemitism was much less of an issue than it was in Europe or South America, we felt more betrayed.” He continued, “We saw something in our population that we never saw before. What we need to have happen is we need to hear moral clarity. Moral clarity from leaders at all levels, in all parties.”

Mr. Housefather also took aim at the progenitors of disinformation, listing what he felt were the biggest external influences in Canada. “The TikTok videos that are antisemitic. The money that is coming in to fuel antisemitism in the United States and Canada doesn’t just come from our citizens down the street, or the person in Vancouver, or in Newfoundland. Much of the hate on social media that is antisemitic comes from Russian bots, comes from Iran, Comes from China, comes from authoritarian regimes that have a goal of fermenting discord and dissension in North America.”

Throughout the speech, while recognizing past failures and remaining issues, Mr. Housefather repeatedly made a point of highlighting the successes they have had in parliament. For example, he pointed to the labelling of Samidoun and the IRGC as terrorist entities as a major success. Nevertheless, recognizing that the government had more work to do, Mr. Housefather called for similar actions to be taken against the Houthis in Yemen. Urgin patience, he also reminded the audience that parliament moves slowly: “This is a process that takes a long time,” he said. Mr Housefather also made the important note that it was preferable to be slow and successful than to rush and fail. “The last thing you want is somebody to be declared <terrorists>, and then to win in court because the government didn’t have the evidence to declare them.”

Another success touted was the increase in security funding for Jewish institutions. Roughly 16 million was being committed this year, and he noted, “Before daycares weren’t covered, now they’re covered.” Similarly, he mentioned the fact that cemeteries would also start to receive funding for security protection to prevent vandalism. Importantly, he added that the maximum funding cap has also been raised ten-fold from $100,000 to $1,000,000.

Questions with Rabbi Kliel Rose:

Although the format of the night’s event did not have a formal Q&A, Rabbi Kliel Rose had compiled a series of questions for Mr. Housefather, which he said were based on the submitted questions people in the community had given him beforehand.

Rabbi Kliel Rose started by asking, “How did your role as special advisor Jewish community relations and antisemitism come about.”

Mr. Housefather explained how he had increasingly felt cornered, turning into what he described as a Jewish MP instead of a MP who happens to be Jewish. This was because he felt a duty to defend Israel and the Canadian Jewish community against what were increasingly radical elements in the NDP and, to his disappointment, also the Liberal Party. “We had that motion that the House adopted in March, which was an NDP opposition day motion that I thought was horrendous, that the government amended it to make better, but was still not something that I agreed with. And I also didn’t agree they should have amended it. I thought they should have just voted against it. Which is a position I clearly gave… I really started thinking about whether or not I belonged in the Liberal Caucus. I had told the Prime Minister that this would be a very big red line for me, and I really thought it through.”

Mr. Housefather mulled over what his options were, “Should I sit as independent? Should I cross the floor with the Conservatives? Or should I stay as a Liberal and find ways to fight for my vision of liberal politics and the country within the Liberal party? And so I quickly recognized that being an Independent wasn’t helpful because being an independent, you have no power in the federal system.” He continued, “So, we need to be there to fight, and I decided to stay there to fight and be there to represent our community and do so loudly and proudly, and I think that is my best value to Canada’s Jewish community, that’s why I stayed.”

Having expressed his concerns to Trudeau many times, Mr. Housefather feels they appear to have seeped in. Mr. Housefather was pleasantly surprised to be invited to serve as the “Special Advisor on Jewish Community relations and antisemitism.”

For his next question, the Rabbi asked, “So, you referenced that speech in the House of Commons, and that was quite inspiring for many of us. Here’s a simple question. Why is it important for Canadians to believe in the state of Israel? And I guess I’ll push a little bit harder. What’s it been like on a personal level to be an open Zionist leader within both the Liberal Party and Canada.”

Mr. Housefather responded, “To me, Zionism is simple: It’s your belief that Jews have a right to a homeland in our indigenous territory. It’s nothing more. It doesn’t mean we have to agree with the government of Israel. It doesn’t mean we have to agree with the settlements. It doesn’t mean we have to agree with how they are prosecuting the war in Gaza.”

The Rabbi also asked Mr. Housefather about the universities: “How do we protect our Jewish students?”

In response, Mr Housefather noted, “The vast majority of universities have codes of conduct that prohibit all of the things that we’re worried about at universities” He went further, stating that in actuality, the universities had all the tools at their disposal to do so, but were simply failing to implement them. Rather, he argued, “It’s leadership by the universities. And where necessary, the province would need to step in. I have seen, though, this year, at most campuses, a significant improvement from what there was last year.” For example, “Much more concern by the administration, in many universities, a better complaint system, no encampments, less toleration of hateful demonstrations before calling the police, and definitely an agreement to include Jews in diversity, equity, inclusion programs.

For his final question, the Rabbi asked, “How do we start as a Jewish community to help people focus on the positives within Jewish life in the Jewish community?”

Mr. Housefather responded, “We have risen to heights in academia, in politics, in sports, in entertainment, in law, in medicine, in every field in Canadian history, and they’ve given so much back to this country… So, to me, we’re lucky to be Jews in today’s world. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a Jew in Cossack Russia. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a Jew in the Nazi time. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a Jew before we had full civil rights. We’re living in a time that is difficult, but we’re still living in a time that is a good age for Jews. And I don’t believe this will last forever. I believe we’re already on a path towards somewhat of a recovery domestically. And I pray internationally that Israel is able to find a way, you know, to eradicate terrorist organizations on its borders and make peace with its Arab neighbours and eventually get to a place where we have a two-state solution where two peoples can live comfortably side by side in peace and security.” It was good to end on a positive note after what was admittingly a very depressing presentation.

End of the Program:

Once the event came to its conclusion, Rabbi Kliel Rose announced that Mr. Housefather and Mr. Carr would stay for roughly 10 minutes to talk to members of the audience if they wished. The Rabbi half-jokingly implored the community to resist the temptation to swarm the MPs with questions and criticisms. Regardless, they both kindly stayed long past the 10 minutes allotted and took time with each person who approached.

Once the crowds around the MPs eventually thinned and dispersed, I raised my concern with Mr. Carr over the handling of the infamous incident in parliament in which a Ukrainian Nazi member of the SS Galicia Division was given a standing ovation. Mr. Carr shared similar concerns over this shameful event. We had a constructive discussion about the Nazi monuments in Canada, and he expressed a desire to look into the issue further.

Overall, regardless of anybody’s political differences and the sources of conflict that may arise from varying party affiliations, nobody can deny that Mr. Carr and Mr. Housefather are both impressive individuals who proudly and strongly advocate for the interests of their constituents, the Jewish Community, and Canada, while also remaining vocal defenders of Israel.

To finish on a purely aesthetic side note, the event was also a good opportunity to appreciate the shiny newness of the Synagogue now that the congregation Etz Chayim has moved to its current location on Wilkes Ave.

*MPs Carr & Housefather kindly reiterated their ongoing interest in hearing feedback from the public. Their government emails:

ben.carr@parl.gc.ca
anthony.housefather@parl.