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The Canadian Jewish News

@thecjn.bsky.social
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Est. 1960: Daily breaking news, cultural commentary, in-depth podcasts and a new quarterly magazine. Support independent Jewish media: thecjn.ca

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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 5h
Fundraising campaigns for the Belleville police officer, who was seriously injured during the Yom Kippur attack and the synagogue he was protecting, continue to grow and surpass initial goals as donors around the world contribute. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/fundrai...
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Fundraisers for Belleville officer and synagogue surpass initial goals
The campaigns are helping support Const. Jeff Smith and fund security and building repairs at Sons of Jacob Synagogue.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 23h
A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an altercation broke out between two pilots. Israeli officials are describing the incident as a terrorist attack. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/israel-...
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Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after terror attack on board
The co-pilot is said to have stabbed the pilot in an attempt to control the plane.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
In Ontario, synagogues can hire police officers for paid-duty security. In Quebec, they can’t. After the Belleville synagogue shooting, Jewish leaders are again calling for changes to the rules. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/hiring-...
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Hiring off-duty cops to protect shuls: 'Non merci' in Quebec
After a Yom Kippur shooting in Belleville, synagogues are looking for more options to protect worshippers.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
On Sept. 20 a gunman opened fire at a Belleville synagogue on Yom Kippur, as about 25 people gathered for Kol Nidrei services. Police later confirmed the attack was hate-motivated. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/surreal...
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A painted sukkah made in 19th-century Germany, smuggled out of Nazi Germany in 1937 and eventually brought to Israel is now at the centre of a Toronto art exhibition exploring Jewish history, displacement, memory and what it means to call a place home. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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An art exhibit that features painted sukkot poses questions about history, home and displacement
The works are part of the exhibit 'Like a Bird's Nest,' on display in Toronto to Nov. 29.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
University students lobby MPs in Ottawa, urging the government to improve campus security for Jews, days after an Ontario synagogue was attacked. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/univers...
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University students lobby MPs in Ottawa to improve campus safety for Jews
Students describe Hitler salutes, torn mezuzahs and harassment, and call for tougher enforcement of campus policies.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Five major parties are seeking seats in the upcoming Quebec election. Antisemitism, minority rights and separatism are the issues on Jewish voters’ minds. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/antisem...
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Antisemitism, minority rights and separatism are the issues on Jewish voters’ minds in the Quebec election
Five major parties are seeking seats in the Oct. 5 election.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Attack on Belleville synagogue was a hate crime that could have been ‘an unimaginable tragedy’ Gunman who attacked on Yom Kippur was prepared for a long gun battle, police chief said. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/attack-...
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Attack on Belleville synagogue was a hate crime that could have been 'an unimaginable tragedy'
Gunman who attacked on Yom Kippur was prepared for a long gun battle, police chief said.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Three Jewish Canadian composers come together on Pursue Peace, a new chamber music album exploring conflict, violence, reconciliation and the active pursuit of peace. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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A new album of chamber music by Jewish Canadian composers explores themes of peace and reconciliation
'Pursue Peace' comes out Sept. 25, with an album launch concert at York University on Nov. 22.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
'This was a heinous, antisemitic, terrorist crime. There's no other words to put it.' Belleville’s Jewish community returns to a bullet-scarred synagogue after Yom Kippur shooting Read more: thecjn.ca/news/surreal...
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'Surreal': Belleville's Jewish community returns to a bullet-scarred synagogue after Yom Kippur shooting
'This was a heinous, antisemitic, terrorist crime. There's no other words to put it.'
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
French Jews had reason to believe they had allies in the Catholic Church. But as the Holocaust unfolded, that trust could have deadly consequences. Aliza Luft’s Sacred Betrayal examines the relationship between French Jews and Catholic leaders. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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When hope kills: Aliza Luft’s ‘Sacred Betrayal’ tells of French Jews’ misplaced trust in Catholic clerics during the Holocaust
A sense that everything would work out just fine prevented collective action or flight while those would have still been (relatively) possible.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New Sukkot books for kids highlight the joys of the holiday. This year's selection features a relatable Canadian book about a sukkah blown over in a storm, and rebuilt by helpful neighbours. Read more thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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New Sukkot books for kids highlight the joys of the holiday
This year's crop features a relatable Canadian book about a sukkah blown over in a storm, and rebuilt by helpful neighbours.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
A shooting outside a Belleville synagogue during Yom Kippur services left a police officer critically injured Sunday night, while worshippers inside took cover. “It definitely would have been a massacre,” synagogue member Douglas Lobel said. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/it-defi...
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'It definitely would have been a massacre': Belleville synagogue member recounts Yom Kippur shooting
A Belleville police officer stationed at synagogue Sunday night took down the active shooter despite being wounded himself.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Rabbi Leigh Lerner, a longtime leader at Montreal’s Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, has died at 81. Throughout his career, he advocated for LGBTQ+ inclusion, interfaith relations, Soviet Jews and social justice. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/obituar...
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Rabbi Leigh Lerner, 81, was committed to inclusion and social justice
The spiritual leader for 23 years at Montreal's Temple Emanu-El-Beth-Sholom, he advocated for Soviet Jews and interfaith relations, among other causes.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The legal battle over kosher meat in Montreal continues. Montreal Kosher says it does not impose exclusive contracts on stores and is asking the Federal Competition Tribunal to dismiss Aleph Meats’ application. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/montrea...
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Montreal Kosher responds to lawsuit and asserts it does not impose exclusive contracts on stores
Aleph Meats has filed a lawsuit with the Federal Competition Tribunal, alleging the MK engages in unfair practices.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The Macklemore–Ed Sheeran fiasco isn’t really about Israel and Palestine. It’s about how a complex conflict gets reduced to slogans, and what gets lost when there’s little room for nuance. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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The Macklemore–Ed Sheeran fiasco isn’t about Israel and Palestine. It’s about simplicity and complexity
One side understands the situation is messy. The other boils the conflict down to two words: ‘Free Palestine’.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
After mezuzot were found smashed in a Wilfrid Laurier University residence, Jewish students gathered for a “mezuzah party” to celebrate their reinstallation. A family has also donated $3,600 to fund new mezuzot on campus. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/wilfrid...
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Wilfrid Laurier University students find mezuzot broken after Rosh Hashanah
The family of a student on campus donated $3,600 to fund the purchase of new mezuzot.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Vancouver’s Jewish community has broken ground on its largest community development project in Western Canada’s Jewish history. @JWestNow will include a new community centre, expanded King David High School and, eventually, more than 600 rental homes. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/jwest-b...
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JWest breaks ground on historic $234 million Jewish community development in Vancouver
New community centre and expanded King David High School are the first phases of the project, with more than 600 rental units planned for later
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Nine books have been selected for the 2026 Canadian Jewish Literary Awards. The winners include a graphic novel about a Sephardic Holocaust survivor and a book examining the post-Oct. 7 information war and antisemitic propaganda. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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Jury selects nine books to be recognized for the 2026 Canadian Jewish Literary Awards
The award ceremony, on Oct. 25 in Toronto, will pay tribute to the late Adam Fuerstenberg, one of the award's founders.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Ed Sheeran drops rapper Macklemore from tour following ‘Free Palestine’ controversy Robert Kraft, who owns one of the stadiums where the concert was going to be held, took credit for pushing Sheeran to drop the rapper. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/ed-shee...
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Ed Sheeran drops rapper Macklemore from tour following ‘Free Palestine’ controversy
Robert Kraft, who owns one of the stadiums where the concert was going to be held, took credit for pushing Sheeran to drop the rapper.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Almost three years after bullets were fired into the doors of a Montreal yeshiva, the accused has pleaded guilty. A day later, the man who firebombed Beth Tikvah synagogue and a Jewish community centre was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/montrea...
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Montreal yeshiva shooter pleads guilty; synagogue arsonist sentenced
Yeshiva Gedolah Merkaz and Beth Tikvah synagogue were targeted by violence.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Boy George released a pro-Israel song without asking anyone’s permission. He says it cost him his manager, professional opportunities and longtime friendships. “I’m not going to turn my back on them.” Read more: thecjn.ca/news/boy-geo...
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Boy George honoured by Vancouver Jewish community for standing with Israel
His pro-Israel single 'We Will Dance Again' has cost him professionally and personally.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Toronto’s mayoral election forum on antisemitism went ahead Tuesday night. Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander laid out their plans to combat antisemitism, while Mayor Olivia Chow was notably absent. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/toronto...
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Toronto's election forum on antisemitism proceeds without Mayor Olivia Chow
Candidates Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander were interviewed at an event organized by the Jewish Lawyers of Canada.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Two longtime Jewish trustees are leaving the Toronto District School Board. Shelley Laskin and Alexandra Lulka Rotman reflect on their years on the board, their work combating antisemitism and what they hope comes next for Jewish students. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/two-jew...
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Two Jewish trustees reflect on their time on the Toronto District School Board
Stacey Cline is the only Jewish incumbent seeking re-election to the TDSB in this year’s municipal election.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Canada is joining the U.K. and France in banning imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel has condemned the move, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warning it could fuel antisemitism against Jews abroad. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/uk-fran...
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Canada joins UK, France in committing to ban products made in Israeli settlements
Israel to retaliate by closing the British Consulate in Jerusalem.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Toronto police increase security in Jewish neighbourhoods ahead of Rosh Hashanah Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the targeting of Jewish institutions 'despicable.' Read more: thecjn.ca/news/toronto...
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Toronto police increase security in Jewish neighbourhoods ahead of Rosh Hashanah
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow called the targeting of Jewish institutions 'despicable.'
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Germany’s far-right AfD won 43.8% of the vote in Sunday’s election in Saxony-Anhalt, crushing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU. The result is raising alarm across Europe as nationalist and anti-immigration parties celebrate the AfD’s gains. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/far-rig...
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Far-right win in German regional race sends shockwaves through Europe
Political leaders condemned the victory of the Alternative for Germany party, calling it 'a grave moment in Europe.'
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
John Galliano’s antisemitic history is ugly. But cancelling his Met retrospective may have created a different problem — turning a story about Galliano’s antisemitism into Jews “cancelling” an artist. Read more: thecjn.ca/opinion/pers...
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Galliano galls, but cancelling his Met retrospective hurts Jews
You can wish the prospect of a Galliano retrospective at the Met had never gotten as far as it did, but the thing is, it did, and once something’s on the schedule, un-scheduling it is, well, cancellat...
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Gloria Steinem, the pioneering feminist who shaped the second wave of the women’s rights movement, died at 92. Her Jewish background informed her belief that the fight for women’s rights was inseparable from other forms of oppression, including antisemitism. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/gloria-...
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Gloria Steinem, Jewish feminist trailblazer, dies at 92
(JTA) —Gloria Steinem, the trailblazing feminist who turbocharged the women’s rights movement’s second wave by casting the liberation of women as part of the broader project of eliminating other bigot...
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Several Jewish Toronto councillors are running for re-election as antisemitic incidents and protest policing become increasingly prominent issues in the municipal campaign. Here’s where the candidates stand on Jewish community safety and other electoral issues. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/hate-cr...
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Hate crimes and policing protests are some of the hottest issues in Toronto's municipal election
Several Jewish incumbent councillors are running in the Oct. 26 election.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A planned Masar Badil conference in Toronto is renewing calls for Canada to list the group as a terrorist entity. Jewish organizations and politicians are also calling for Ottawa to list Palestine Action and Kata’ib Hezbollah. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/advocac...
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Advocacy organizations renew calls to list three groups as terrorist entities in Canada
Palestine Action, Kata'ib Hezbollah and Masar Badil, which is planning a conference in Toronto in November, are terrorist groups, critics say.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Canada’s approach to the trade war has a distinctly Saturday morning cartoon quality: the villain gets defeated, the hero saves the day and everything resets by the end. But what happens when the stakes are real? Read more: thecjn.ca/opinion/door...
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Doorstep Postings: Canadian Jews in a comic-book rut
Canada's political leadership are treating the trade war like a Saturday morning cartoon problem that gets status quo'ed by the end of the half-hour episode.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Frank Bialystok was given 28 “bonus years” after a liver transplant. He used them to make an extraordinary contribution to Canadian Jewish life. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/obituar...
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Frank Bialystok, 80, shaped Canadian Jews’ view of their history
An academic who wrote about Canadian Jewish history, he also fostered dialogue between Poles and Jews.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Reches Pasternak says there’s a “very clear antisemitic vibe” at Ontario Tech University. Nevertheless, he founded the Ontario Tech Jewish Club and is organizing Purim parties, Shabbat dinners and a planned hummus competition to bring students together. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/campus/...
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Chai Achiever: Reches Pasternak is building Jewish life at Ontario Tech University
He founded the Jewish Club, that can only become official after reaching 15 signed members, but that won’t stop Pasternak from organizing Purim parties and hummus competitions in the meantime.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Toronto rabbis are divided over Jewish MAID patients. The Orthodox council says no funerals or burial in synagogue sections. The Toronto Board of Rabbis says it will continue funerals, burials and shivahs. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/toronto...
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Toronto rabbinical councils clash over funerals and burial rites for Jewish MAID patients
Toronto’s Orthodox rabbis say MAiD violates Jewish law, but their decision on funerals and burial plots has exposed a divide over how Jewish communities should respond to patients and grieving familie...
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
“There’s something so quietly radical about Jewish creatives gathering in the woods in southwest Nova Scotia.” Actor Tracey Erin Smith is launching the Kreativity Kibbutz, a retreat for Jewish artists to create and connect. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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Nova Scotia actor plans retreat that gives Jewish artists room to create, connect and unwind
The Kreativity Kibbutz will be a place for Jewish creatives to 'let their defenses down,' says Tracey Erin Smith.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
For some Jewish singles, Oct. 7 changed the dating equation. Facing antisemitism and political litmus tests on dating apps and in queer spaces, some are increasingly asking: Are they Jewish? Read more: thecjn.ca/opinion/inte...
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Intermarriage angst less relevant post-Oct. 7
If your options are dating Jews or getting grilled on geopolitical situations outside your control or knowledge areas, are you CHOOSING to only date Jews?
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Pickles may not be exclusively Jewish, but as Picklefest founder Adin Wener says, “Most Jewish people in Canada have a pickle story to tell you.” Now the pickle is getting its own cross-country festival. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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A briny festival that celebrates the humble pickle is travelling across Canada this fall
Founded by cousins Adin and Eli Wener, Picklefest is all about fermentation and fun.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Toronto’s Ashkenaz Festival is asking what Jewish music can sound like and the answer is increasingly global. This year’s festival features everything from klezmer and Moroccan Jewish music to bluegrass, psychedelic Turkish rock and more. Read more: thecjn.ca/arts-culture...
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Toronto’s Ashkenaz Festival expands the idea of what ‘Jewish music’ sounds like
The biennial celebration is leaving Harbourfront and taking the party to Kensington Market, a historic centre of Toronto Jewish life.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Days after a rancorous debate over Israel at Montreal City Hall, the island’s regional council passed a resolution condemning antisemitism and promoting “civil peace, public safety and social cohesion.” Read more: thecjn.ca/news/montrea...
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Montreal’s regional council condemns antisemitism, promotes social cohesion
The meeting followed a rancorous city council debate a few days earlier on Israel.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
“Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” Boy George is facing calls to cancel his Vancouver concert after releasing a song supporting Israel and remembering Oct. 7 victims. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/boy-geo...
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Boy George’s Vancouver concert faces protest over his support for Oct. 7 victims and Israel
The Pacific National Exhibition has received calls to cancel the Sept. 7 show after Boy George released his AI-assisted single “We Will Dance Again.”
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Reposted by The Canadian Jewish News
Phoebe Maltz Bovy @phoebebovy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
My latest column for @thecjn.bsky.social gets into some text vs subtext of our moment. thecjn.ca/opinion/woke...
The biggest innovation in Woke 2 had nothing to do with chucking cringe hypersensitivities and language-policing. It was to take white-person self-loathing and direct it outward. Rather than asking huge white populations to read Robin di Angelo and embrace indefinite self-flagellation, as in Woke 1, Woke 2 allows white people to displace guilt at being systemic white supremacists or settler-colonizers outwards. It’s not about white people even denying being any of these things, but simply shifting the terms of debate. There are now these other people—Jews—who can be pointed at as exemplifying the thing.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
David Barzilay was just eight days old when he was smuggled out of a Nazi-occupied Greek ghetto and hidden in an orphanage. He went on to build a life in Montreal centred on family, teaching and athletics. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/obituar...
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David Barzilay, 83, rescued as an infant during the Shoah, built a rich life centred on family and athletics in Montreal
Barzilay was smuggled out of a Greek ghetto the day of his bris, to be hidden in an orphanage.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Arieh King’s electronic Travel Authorization to Canada was cancelled days before he was due to speak at a Toronto event. Canadian officials have not said why, citing privacy laws. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/jerusal...
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Jerusalem's far-right deputy mayor denied entry into Canada
Arieh King was to speak at a Toronto meeting hosted by the Israel Now group.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Yiddish ≠ anti-Zionism. The history of Yiddish, Hebrew, Bundism and Zionism is far more complicated than today’s culture-war narratives suggest. Read more: thecjn.ca/opinion/stop...
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Stop conflating Yiddish with anti-Zionism
The binary oppositions Hebrew-Yiddish and Zionism-Bund fray upon closer examination.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Montreal City Council passed an amended anti-Israel motion 53-7 after removing references to “genocide,” “apartheid” and cutting institutional ties with Israel. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/montrea...
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Montreal City Council passes amended Israel motion after stripping ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ language
Montreal's mayor reminded councillors that the city's role was not to dictate foreign policy.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Ontario’s elementary teachers’ union has delayed a motion to endorse BDS and created a new committee for Jewish members. The ETFO meeting also saw a motion on adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism left unaddressed as the meeting ended. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/ontario...
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Ontario elementary teachers’ union delays BDS decision, creates Jewish committee
ETFO decided to refer Peel delegation's BDS motion to further study.
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
OPINION: Is “woke 2” just Woke 1 with Jews as the new scapegoat? Antisemitism has become increasingly normalized on the left and that a new form of progressive politics has emerged in its wake. Read more: thecjn.ca/opinion/woke...
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The Canadian Jewish News @thecjn.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
For many Jewish singles, dating apps have become a place to encounter antisemitism. From being asked “Are you a Zionist?” within minutes to being blocked for identifying as Jewish. Read more: thecjn.ca/news/looking...
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Looking for love and finding antisemitism on the dating apps
'Having to answer for the Israeli government within the first three minutes makes me so angry.'
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