Finally, the Montreal Jewish community is taking a step forward to being on the same page. Every time antisemitism rears its ugly head, we must denounce it. Quebec Jewish Congress and Federation CJA came to the conclusion that the recent cowardly acts against five synagogues and a Jewish school were, in fact, antisemitic criminal acts (“Attacks on Montreal synagogues went unreported in January 2010,” Jan. 27).
I find it disturbing that our community has not been united. Why did B’nai Brith conclude that we were being targeted and not Congress? When all were aware that there were a number of antisemitic incidents in the community, why were they referred to as isolated incidents of vandalism? Do we need proof that the Young Israel of Chomedey’s near disaster was an antisemitic act? The school next door was not touched, but my shul was!
Some are still concerned about bringing attention to our plight or creating copycats. Isolated acts of vandalism, indeed! And, to have seriously criticized B’nai Brith as being “extremist,” as “exaggerating.” For what purpose? Our silence, our perceived division, emboldens the other guys. The best way to defeat the perpetrators of hate is to expose them.  We must speak up – in our schools, our holy institutions and on our streets – and let our political leaders know that we are against antisemitism and racism, but are for and united with Israel, and indeed for our Jewish brothers and sisters everywhere. We speak up for the downtrodden of all nations, because we want a better tomorrow for our children and our grandchildren.
Larry G. Rosenthal
Laval, Que.

The box in the centre of your letters to the editor page lists Israelis missing and captured by Arab government and terrorist groups. Considering the unprecedented confinement of Jonathan Pollard, a former civilian intelligence analyst who was convicted in the United States of spying for Israel and received a life sentence in 1987 after a trial that was flawed with government intervention with a trial judge and with a breach of a plea bargain, I would suggest that Pollard be placed in the box under “Let them go!”
Bert Raphael
Thornhill, Ont.
Editor’s Note: There can be no doubt that the penalty meted out to Jonathan Pollard has long ago surpassed all reasonable limits and purposes. Nevertheless, we cannot include him among the missing-in-action Israeli soldiers. It simply is not the same. To do so would totally alter the meaning of a soldier who is missing in action, whose fate and whereabouts are unknown. As much as we grieve for the plight of Pollard, the same cannot be said for and about him.

I am seeking to interview Jewish immigrants (or their children) who arrived in Canada in the late 1940s. I’m a PhD student at the University of Toronto. My research is on the history of Canadian citizenship. In particular, I focus on groups that were historically excluded from becoming Canadian, such as Jews were for most of the 1930s and 1940s. If you were a Jewish immigrant in the late 1940s, or are the child of one, and would be willing to be interviewed for about an hour, please contact me. Interviews are confidential and anonymous.
Jeff Myers
Toronto
[email protected]; 416-564-3716

We are seeking 1961 West Hill High School graduates for a 50th anniversary reunion to be held in Montreal from May 27 to 29, 2011. Please e-mail us at [email protected] telling us which class you were in and giving us your maiden name, if applicable. If you are in contact with another 1961 West Hill graduate, kindly pass along our e-mail address. The weekend’s events include a Friday evening reception and a Saturday evening dinner.
Carolyn Bohn
Committee Member
West Hill High School 50th Anniversary Reunion of the Graduating Class of 1961
Montreal

Finally, the Montreal Jewish community is taking a step forward to being on the same page. Every time antisemitism rears its ugly head, we must denounce it. Quebec Jewish Congress and Federation CJA came to the conclusion that the recent cowardly acts against five synagogues and a Jewish school were, in fact, antisemitic criminal acts (“Attacks on Montreal synagogues unreported in 2010,” Jan. 27).
I find it disturbing that our community has not been united. Why did B’nai Brith conclude that we were being targeted and not Congress? When all were aware that there were a number of antisemitic incidents in the community, why were they referred to as isolated incidents of vandalism? Do we need proof that the Young Israel of Chomedey’s near disaster was an antisemitic act? The school next door was not touched, but my shul was!
Some are still concerned about bringing attention to our plight or creating copycats. Isolated acts of vandalism, indeed! And, to have seriously criticized B’nai Brith as being “extremist,” as “exaggerating.” For what purpose? Our silence, our perceived division, emboldens the other guys. The best way to defeat the perpetrators of hate is to expose them.  We must speak up – in our schools, our holy institutions and on our streets – and let our political leaders know that we are against antisemitism and racism, but are for and united with Israel, and indeed for our Jewish brothers and sisters everywhere. We speak up for the downtrodden of all nations, because we want a better tomorrow for our children and our grandchildren.
Larry G. Rosenthal
Laval, Que.