Jewish doctors in Canada, like other Jewish Canadians, have faced significant antisemitism since Oct. 7. But until recently, the data has only been anecdotal—and a new organization wanted to change that.
The Jewish Medical Association of Ontario has just announced the preliminary findings of a survey of 944 Jewish doctors and medical students from across the country. And while they are not releasing the full survey yet, they have revealed early trends that are worrying for the future of Canada’s medical field.
JMAO organizers say they were stunned to discover antisemitism was even worse than they thought, with 80% of respondents from Ontario—around 380 people—saying they faced antisemitism at work since Oct. 7. The JMAO organizers also read incidents happening in hospital corridors and university medical schools alike, with 31 percent of respondents from Ontario—around 150 people—considering leaving the country entirely.
On today’s episode of The CJN Daily, host Ellin Bessner delves into the study’s findings and hears the personal experiences from the quartet of doctors behind the new survey: JMAO president Dr. Lisa Salomon, chair Dr. Ayelet Kuper, and members Dr. Barry Pakes and Dr. Karen Devon.
Related links
- Learn more about the Jewish Medical Association of Ontario’s study and official launch.
- Read the Canadian Jewish doctors’ submission to Parliament about antisemitism in the medical system.
- Read more on the Feb. 2024 pro-Palestinian protest outside Mount Sinai hospital in Toronto, in The CJN.
Credits
- Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner)
- Production team: Zachary Kauffman (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer)
- Music: Dov Beck-Levine
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