A rally in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square on July 25 was one of several held around the world in response to attacks on Jews and increased antisemitism.
“Today we stand with End Jewish Hatred Berlin, where Jews are expressing their demands to be safe to express themselves by wearing Jewish symbols,” said rally organizer Andria Spindel. “Once again, Jews are not feeling safe in Germany.”
Berlin has seen a recent uptick in antisemitic attacks, including a physical assault in May that left one man in hospital after he was targeted for wearing a yarmulke.
Spindel is the executive director of the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation and the co-chair of the grassroots global movement End Jew Hatred Canada, which organized the rallies.
Members of the Jewish community who spoke included several rabbis, an IDF veteran and Daniel Koren, executive director of Hasbara Fellowships. Although not present, Holocaust survivor and member of the Order of Canada Rabbi Erwin Schild sent a letter which was read by his daughter, Judith Weinroth. Rabbi Schild is 101 years old.
Political attendees included Consul General of Ukraine in Toronto Oleksandr Shevchenko and Deputy Consul General of Germany in Toronto Martin Rother. Both reiterated the commitment of their respective countries to the support of Israel and to continuing to fight antisemitism. Robin Martin, MP for Eglinton-Lawrence, also spoke.
Mayor John Tory was absent but sent a letter of support which was read to the crowd by James Pasternak, city councillor for York Centre. Although scheduled to come, Toronto Archbishop Thomas Cardinal Collins was also absent, having been called to another matter at the last minute.
Spindel referred to the event as a “rally of allies,” which was evidenced by the number of non-Jewish speakers present in addition to Jewish community leaders.
“We are emphasizing working with allies,” Spindel told The CJN. “Our community at large needs to be building allyship.”
Allies who spoke included Raheel Raza, president of the Council of Muslims Against Antisemitism, and Buddhist chaplain and Reverend Zenji Nio, who expressed dismay that Jewish people were choosing to forgo Jewish symbols out of fear.
“I ask you to please wear symbols of your Jewish identity with pride in your culture, heritage, and what you stand for,” said Nio, who wore a traditional Japanese garment called a hakama. He is the founder of the Samurai Centre for Human Rights and Holocaust Studies.
Approximately 100 people attended the Toronto rally.
“It doesn’t matter how many people attend,” Spindel said. “We’re making a statement. We’re calling for the end of Jew hatred.”
This is the fourth event sponsored by End Jew Hatred Canada, with previous demonstrations pushing for removing Holocaust denial from Twitter and demanding justice for French murder victim Sarah Halimi. The group also co-sponsored a car rally in support of Israel during the conflict with Hamas in May.
“We are beginning to grow the movement. We are getting people to stand up for our rights,” Spindel said.
