We can no longer stay silent.
We are speaking up against the disturbing acts of antisemitism taking place in Ottawa.
Sign this letter to all Canadians.
February 7, 2024
To our fellow Canadians,
Since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens, a disturbing wave of antisemitism is surging through our Canadian communities. Now on the four-month anniversary of that attack, we face a crucial moment.
In response, on December 22, 2023, leaders from Ottawa united to take a stand. Nearly 100 influential voices joined to denounce this surge of hatred against our Jewish community members.
This denouncement of hatred was appreciated by the Jewish community, but more must be done.
Read the letter of thanks from the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.
The ongoing incidents of antisemitism across Canada represent a national emergency, one that calls for immediate and decisive action from us all.
Antisemitism undermines the core values of Canada. The threats, vandalism, and protests targeting the Jewish community are not just isolated acts of hatred; they are direct assaults on the principles that define us as a nation.
Your voice is crucial in this battle against intolerance. Your stance against antisemitism is not just a personal statement; it is a vital contribution to our national fabric. Add your name now to affirm your support that hate has no place here.
The original December 2023 letter
An open letter from concerned Ottawa citizens.
December 22, 2023
The Hamas terrorist attack against Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023, sent shockwaves across the world, and sadly, our city has not been immune to its fallout. While together we accept peaceful protest and respectful debate in our Canadian democracy, we also stand united in condemning hate in any form.
Unfortunately, over the weekend, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East reached a courtroom in Ottawa with a suspect being held for a terror plot against our Jewish friends, colleagues and neighbours, and a protest at one of our local shopping centres targeting children and their families in another escalation of antisemitic hate and an attack of our Canadian values and traditions.
Anti-Jewish hate has dramatically escalated since the beginning of October when a local Jewish day school was the target of a bomb threat, and graffiti and other acts of vandalism were found at a Jewish-owned shopping centre, and on the streets of a local neighbourhood. Antisemitism has made it difficult for Jewish students in our public schools and our colleges and universities. This can never be allowed to become the new normal.
As leaders in the Ottawa community we have collectively served, built businesses, taught and mentored future leaders, and worked to build our wonderful city. We urge all Ottawa residents to join us in standing up against antisemitism by showing our Jewish community members that they have our support and that we will not tolerate any attacks on them.
The late Rabbi Reuven Bulka was a beloved friend to many of us. He reminded us to be kind, he showed us acceptance and he always stood for what is right. Rabbi Bulka was a shining example of what Ottawa stood for, and together, we will stand in solidarity with our Jewish community in that light.
Respectfully,
Francisco Alvarez Morphy
Rudi Aseer
Bernie Ashe
Rob Ashe
Stephen Assaly
Hon. John Baird, former federal cabinet minister
Janice Barressi
Darrell Bartraw
Erin Benjamin
Cynthia Bland, CEO, Voice Found
Bryan Brulotte
Tony Brunst
John Budden
Joan Burney
Derek Burney
Devinder Chaudhary
Bob Chiarelli, Former MPP, Regional Chair, Mayor
Sueling Ching
Michael Church
Ray Coutu
Code Cubitt
Michael Curran
Jeffrey Dale
Duncan Dee
Bharati Desai
Laura Dudas, Councillor
Jim Durrell, Former Ottawa Mayor
Steve Edgett
Jacques Emond
Geoff Erskine
Marion Fraser
Chris Froggatt
Richard Fromm
Francoise Gagnon
Lee Geerts
Goldie Ghamari, MPP, Carleton
Scott Gorry
Mark Goudie
Colin Green
Lynne Hamilton, Former National Chair, Equal Voice
Todd Hamstra
David Hill, Councillor
Jeff Hill
Domenic Idone
Grant Jameson
John Jarvis
Chantal Jasmin
Steve Kaminski
Jason Kelly
Bill King, Deputy Reeve, Lanark Highlands
Warren Kinsella
Jack Kitts
Tim Kluke
Cuckoo Kochar
Albert Labelle
Mark Laroche
Robin Lee
Jonathon Li
Bruce Linton
Matt Luloff, Councillor
Yilong Ma
Dan MacKay
Lisa MacLeod, MPP, Nepean
Richard Mahoney
Jim McCaw
Brendan McGuinty
Glenn McInnes
Peter Nicholson
Larry O'Brien, Former Ottawa Mayor
James Orban Sr.
Mike Potter
Gordon Quaiattini
Robert Rheaume
Ronald Richardson
Elizabeth Roscoe
John Ruddy
Lisa Samson
Michael Sangster
Ernie Schroeder
Dr. Pravin Shuckle
John Sicard
Susan St. Amand
Dean Tester
Ron Tomlinson
Matt Triemstra
Brent Vandermeer
Joe Varner
Phil von Finckenstein
Michael Waters
Paul Wells
Shirley Westeinde
Jeff Westeinde
Jonathan Westeinde
Vern White, Former Ottawa Police Chief
Jeff York