From Canadian Election Gloom to Jewish Resilience

The results are in. What comes next? A Jewish take on staying resilient, proactive, and hopeful in post-election Canada.

If you’ve spent any time on social media since the Canadian elections, you’ve probably seen it: the anger, the fear, the flood of despair. Posts declaring, “The writing is on the wall… Time to make Aliyah,” or “I’m moving to Florida, that’s it.” 

But none of the posts I have seen have felt all that helpful. Certainly a lot of confusion and raw emotions have been shared. But nothing that seems to educate people about the significance of this election or ways one might choose to move forward from a place of strength. So I decided to draft some ideas and maybe spark some others to think of and share more beneficial responses as well. 

To start, here is a quick crash course in Canadian politics for our American friends: Canada’s political landscape operates differently than what many Americans are used to. Someone who considers themselves a liberal or moderate Democrat in the U.S. might actually find themselves voting Conservative in Canada. That’s because Canada’s Liberal Party often embraces policies that lean much further left than what many U.S. liberals would support, especially in areas like free speech, media regulation, taxation, and centralized government control. And here’s something even more important that I’m not sure the majority of Canadians even understand: unlike in the U.S., where power is divided between federal and state governments and the president is checked by Congress, Canada’s Prime Minister (especially with a majority government or coalition) can enact sweeping reforms with little opposition. That means one election can reshape national policy overnight, which is why the stakes feel so high here.

And while we’re at it… a note for our Israeli readers, too: Canadian politics differ significantly from Israel’s as well. In Israel, coalition governments and a proportional representation system often mean that even small parties can hold major sway, and no single leader has unchecked power. Debate, negotiation, and compromise are built into the system. In Canada, by contrast, a majority government can pass legislation quickly and unilaterally, without needing consensus from smaller parties. That kind of centralized authority means political shifts here can happen swiftly,  and their impact can hit hard.

This is why for many people in the Jewish community, and for others concerned about democracy, economic direction, and social stability, the results of this election sting pretty badly. It’s not just about who won; it’s about what it seems to say about where Canada is heading. Rising antisemitism, financial strain, increased polarization, and questions about long-term safety and stability have left many feeling shaken.

I’ll admit, my initial visceral reaction was heavy. The elected PM has not bothered to hide his feelings about Israel and that is certainly concerning. After over a decade of watching Canada’s institutions erode under the spotty leadership of Trudeau, many Canadian minorities feel vulnerable to racism and discrimination since there has been little to no recourse and it feels like we are watching our social fabric crumble. 

It didn’t help that during the final hours of voting, disheartening occurrences like the Elections Canada website crashed just as people were making a mad dash to the polls and I also found out that there was a new policy put in place which allowed voters to cast a ballot with only a signed vouch from someone in the same riding (yes this is legit. It’s on the Elections Canada Website. Unfortunately it means that non-citizens could theoretically, not ethically, vote with only a $5,000 fine if the corroboration is found to be fraudulent). This left me feeling more than a bit unsettled. Especially knowing these changes were implemented under the same government that stood to benefit from them. I found myself spiraling into frustration and suspicion, not because I had hard proof of wrongdoing, but because, in a climate where public trust is already fragile, it’s easy for doubt to take over. 

But then I paused and asked the question we all need to ask ourselves right now: Is this way of thinking helpful?

Because here’s the truth: despair is not a strategy.

Jewish history is filled with moments of uncertainty and fear. But in every generation, we rise. We organize. We build. We move forward.

So instead of doom-scrolling ourselves into paralysis, let’s talk about where we go from here: practically and purposefully.

1. We Strengthen Our Communities

Before packing bags for Miami, let’s remember: Jewish life in Canada is still vibrant, still meaningful, and still worth fighting for (unless you’re ready to move to Israel, of course). How do we go about it?

By getting more involved in or strengthening your local community life. Support your synagogues, day schools, camps, and cultural organizations. Help build new resources and strengthen the ones you already have, like eating at local kosher restaurants, prioritizing support of Jewish-owned businesses, Jewish creatives, and local Jewish events.

Show up. Invite others. Strong communities don’t just survive political storms. When we weather them together we can emerge stronger and thrive.

When Jewish life becomes more visible and active, it sends a powerful message: we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere.

2. Advocate, Don’t Abdicate

Feeling frustrated? Good. Channel it.

Write to your elected officials. Show up to community town halls. Speak up. Politicians need to know that the Jewish community is engaged, watching, and not afraid to push back.

Write blog posts. Support Jewish organizations that foster strong relationships with government leaders. Get involved in grassroots efforts that make real noise where it counts. Remember: silence isn’t noble… it’s akin to surrender.

Every voice counts.

3. Learn, Educate, and Empower

Knowledge isn’t just power. It’s armor.

Educate yourself, your kids, and your community about Jewish identity, Jewish history, and Israel. Make media literacy a dinner table topic. Host a book club. Invite a speaker. Start a discussion group in your living room.

When we understand who we are and where we come from, we’re much harder to intimidate… and much easier to inspire.

4. Build Strategic Alliances with Other Groups

As a community it’s generally better to build bridges rather than walls.

Now is the time to strengthen ties with other communities who care about democracy, freedom, and human rights. Coalition-building takes time, but in a divided world, it’s one of our best tools for standing tall and standing strong.

5. Support Alternative Media

If you’re tired of seeing Jewish stories twisted (or ignored entirely) in mainstream media, you’re not alone.

Now is the time to support independent journalism, launch new initiatives, and elevate voices that tell the truth about Jewish life, antisemitism, and Israel.

The narrative battlefield is real, and we need to show up ready.

6. Personal Resilience Matters

Yes, for some, Aliyah or a move to the U.S. might make sense. I personally would love to make the move to Israel as soon as I can, and those who choose that path should do so proudly. It’s our homeland, after all.

But if you’re staying in Canada? Then it’s time to double down on strengthening your own Jewish life. Learn more about Jewish rituals, spirituality, and mindfulness practices that can keep you grounded through this political turbulence.

Tend to your inner world…  because when everything else feels chaotic, your personal resilience matters more than ever.

To Sum It All Up…

We’ve been here before –  not exactly like this, of course – but close enough to know that panic doesn’t help. It paralyzes. What helps is perseverance. Creativity. Community. Faith.

I get it. It’s overwhelming. The pit in my stomach hasn’t gone away either. Honestly, writing this blog is probably just as much about therapy for me as it is about helping others through this crazy time. But we need to remember what thousands of years of Jewish history have already taught us:

We are tougher than this moment.

As it says in Pirkei Avot: “It is not upon you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Let’s get to work, together, and maybe, just maybe, make Canada great again.