Rabbi Howard Morrison

In any society, fanatics who hate don’t only hate me—they hate you, too. They hate everybody. – Elie Wiesel

Dear Congregational Family,

As we all know, the resurgence of anti-Semitism has become rampant all over the world, including many parts of Canada. Tomorrow, my sermon is entitled, "When slander leads to anti-Semitism." Today, I share with you a statement produced yesterday by the Toronto Board of Rabbis, of which I am a member. It is entitled, "Statement on Current Anti-Semitism."

The Toronto Board of Rabbis notes with alarm the increasing number of public antisemitic incidents in our city, Canada and around the world. Centuries old antisemitic tropes have been given new life. Innocent people have been subject to verbal and physical abuse. Jews are being harassed on social media and at universities, threatened in their neighbourhoods, assaulted in restaurants and on the streets.

 While some elected officials have spoken out against the rising tide of antisemitism, words alone do not suffice. We urge all our levels of government to bring the full force of the law to bear on individuals and groups who commit antisemitic crimes.  We call on elected officials and faith leaders to unequivocally denounce antisemitism and to recommit to combatting antisemitism wherever it may be found. We join with others in our community in calling on the federal government to convene an emergency summit to tackle antisemitism as soon as possible.

 It is said that what begins with Jews does not end with Jews.  For the sake of all Canadians, now is the time to speak out against hatred and violence.

I wish everyone Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison