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Corey Margolese
Fighting Antisemitism Through Education

October 7: Silence, Antisemitism, and the Glorification of Terrorism

October 7: A Day to Remember

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a devastating terrorist attack on Israel that shook the world, marking a horrific day in which upwards of 1,200 people were murdered—the highest number of Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust. This was not a military operation—it was a deliberate and targeted assault on civilians. Hamas gunmen stormed Israeli towns, taking 250 hostages, murdering families in their homes, and spreading terror with ruthless efficiency. To date, 101 people remain hostages in Gaza, enduring unimaginable conditions. Families cling to the hope that their loved ones will be returned safely, but the pain of uncertainty, the fear of what horrors might be unfolding in captivity, and the devastation of those whose loved ones have already been killed are beyond words.

These hostages include men, women, children, and the elderly. Their families are trapped in an agonizing wait for information, knowing that the captors holding their loved ones have no respect for human life or international law. Hamas has a long history of using civilians as human shields, and there is no reason to believe that the remaining hostages will be treated with any more humanity than the others who have been brutally executed.

Amid this horror, groups around the world are openly celebrating these unspeakable acts. Just this past weekend in downtown Toronto, a rally took place in support of Hamas and Hezbollah, where protesters glorified the violence, chanting for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jewish people. This is not an isolated incident, nor is it entirely new. Such marches have occurred before, but in many cities around the world, their frequency has increased dramatically over the past year. These protests have reached new levels of extremism, where individuals openly praise the terror inflicted by Hamas and Hezbollah—two organizations recognized as terrorist entities in Canada. It is deeply disturbing that rallies filled with calls for genocide are allowed to continue in democratic societies that claim to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

Many of these protesters have no real understanding of the ideologies they are supporting. Hamas and Hezbollah are not resistance movements fighting for freedom or justice; they are terrorist organizations that have repeatedly committed atrocities against civilians. These groups are responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people, both Jewish and Muslim. They receive billions of dollars in foreign aid, ostensibly meant to support the people of Gaza and Lebanon, but instead, that money is diverted to fund terrorism. While these organizations build weapons and tunnels to carry out attacks, the very people they claim to represent live in abject poverty, with little to no access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical care.

The glorification of Hamas and Hezbollah is not just a problem of ignorance—it is a symptom of a deeper, more insidious form of hatred. The protesters who chant for the destruction of Israel are not simply opposing a government; they are calling for the eradication of the Jewish people. This is antisemitism in its most blatant form, and it is on the rise. In the wake of the October 7 attack, acts of antisemitism have increased by 90% in Canada, more than double the increase toward any other group. Jewish people around the world are facing a wave of hate that echoes the darkest chapters of history.

And yet, many institutions—the media, governments, schools—remain silent. In their fear of offending those who espouse anti-Zionist or antisemitic views, they have chosen to silence Jewish voices. This silence is not neutral. It is a form of complicity that allows hatred to grow unchecked. There is no honor in standing by while evil is allowed to perpetuate. As Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran pastor who opposed the Nazis, famously said:

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

This quote is a chilling reminder that when we allow hatred to flourish, it does not stop with one group. The hate that begins with the Jews never ends with the Jews. Representatives of Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, all backed by the Iranian regime, have publicly stated that after they have wiped the Jewish people off the face of the earth, they will move on to the Christians. This is not just a Jewish issue; it is a human issue. Terrorism, antisemitism, and hatred of any kind threaten the very fabric of society.

We must confront the dangerous rise of antisemitism and the glorification of violence with urgency and resolve. It is not enough to condemn these actions in private or to express outrage behind closed doors. The voices of those who support justice, peace, and the sanctity of life must be louder than the chants of those who call for death and destruction. We must hold our leaders accountable—whether in the media, in government, or in our communities. They must be willing to speak out against the hate being spread in our streets and take concrete action to ensure that those who glorify terrorism face the consequences of their actions.

Equally important is the need for education, yet we must acknowledge that universities and colleges, through their teaching staff, are often responsible for perpetuating antisemitic tropes against Jews and spreading harmful lies about Israel—such as the false claims that it is an apartheid state or guilty of genocide. These educators are defended by their institutions under the guise that universities are places for exploring thought and engaging in academic freedom. But this is a thinly veiled excuse for the spreading of hate, and it needs to stop. The poisoning of young minds with biased, misleading, and hateful rhetoric is not education—it is indoctrination. Schools, universities, and community organizations must take responsibility and actively work to combat these dangerous narratives, educating people about the realities of terrorism, antisemitism, and the true historical context of the conflict in the Middle East. Ignorance fuels hatred, but knowledge, rooted in truth and fairness, can be a powerful antidote.

The events of October 7, 2023, are a stark reminder of the fragile nature of peace and security. But they are also a call to action. We cannot allow the horror of that day to fade into the background of our collective consciousness. The hostages who remain in captivity, the families who mourn their murdered loved ones, and the Jewish communities around the world under threat of violence deserve our unwavering support and solidarity.

To those who remain silent in the face of this evil, remember Niemöller’s words: There will come a time when the silence you uphold today will leave you without anyone to speak for you tomorrow. The attack on Israel, the rise of antisemitism, and the glorification of terror are not isolated issues—they are symptoms of a larger problem that threatens all of humanity. We must speak out, stand together, and ensure that the voices of justice and compassion drown out the voices of hatred and violence.

Let us not be bystanders to this unfolding tragedy. Stand with the Jewish community, with Israel, and with all those who value life and human dignity. Let us remember the hostages still in captivity, the families mourning their losses, and the communities living in fear. And let us work together to ensure that the future is one where terror and hatred are no longer given space to grow.

About the Author
Rabbi Corey Margolese is the President and CEO of Jewish Learning Fund, a charity dedicated to connecting Jewish individuals with their Jewish identity. Rabbi Corey is also president of JTeach.ca which offers sessions and resources to educational and community groups in the areas of antisemitism, Holocaust education, and understanding Judaism. As well, Rabbi Corey is the Director of Education and Principal of JTeach Academy which offers Jewish identity affirming Ontario high school credit courses. Rabbi Corey has appeared frequently as an expert contributor in newspaper articles, on TV news shows, and as a guest speaker & panelist at local and international conferences.
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