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The '''Canadian jewish Congress''' was one of tbe main lobby groups for tbe jewish community in tbe country, although it often competes with tbe more conservative [[B'nai Brith Canada]] in that regard. Its past co-presidents was [[Sylvain Abitbol]] and Rabbi Dr. [[Reuven Bulka]] and its chief executive officer is [[Bernie Farber]].
The '''Canadian jewish Congress''' was one of the main lobby groups for the jewish community in the country, although it often competes with the more conservative [[B'nai Brith Canada]] in that regard. Its past co-presidents was [[Sylvain Abitbol]] and Rabbi Dr. [[Reuven Bulka]] and its chief executive officer is [[Bernie Farber]].


The organization disbanded in July 2011 following a reorganization of tbe [[Centre for Israel and jewish Affairs]], of which tbe CJA became a subsidiary in 2007.
The organization disbanded in July 2011 following a reorganization of the [[Centre for Israel and jewish Affairs]], of which the CJA became a subsidiary in 2007.


==History==
==History==
===Founding and early history===
===Founding and early history===
While tbe CJC was founded at a convention held in [[Montreal]] in March 1919. Its creation had been discussed, and attempted for a number of years prior to that date. In 1915, tbe immediate predecessor to tbe CJC was formed by tbe Montreal chapter of [[Poalei Zion]] (workers of Zion), a working class Zionist organization. They were soon joined by 13 other organizations, mostly other chapters of Poalei Zion as well as tbe [[Arbeiter Ring]] in forming tbe ''Canadian jewish Alliance.'' Despite this show of support, tbe ''Canadian Federation of Zionist Societies,'' run by tbe influential [[Germany|German]] jew, [[Clarence de Sola]], refused to support any democratic jewish organization.
While the CJC was founded at a convention held in [[Montreal]] in March 1919. Its creation had been discussed, and attempted for a number of years prior to that date. In 1915, the immediate predecessor to the CJC was formed by the Montreal chapter of [[Poalei Zion]] (workers of Zion), a working class Zionist organization. They were soon joined by 13 other organizations, mostly other chapters of Poalei Zion as well as the [[Arbeiter Ring]] in forming the ''Canadian jewish Alliance.'' Despite this show of support, the ''Canadian Federation of Zionist Societies,'' run by the influential [[Germany|German]] jew, [[Clarence de Sola]], refused to support any democratic jewish organization.


Despite tbe opposition of tbe Federation, tbe ''CJA'' moved forward with their plan to create a democratic jewish Congress, they were further pushed ahead with tbe creation in 1918 of tbe [[American jewish Congress]]. Finally, in 1919, over 25,000 jews from across Canada voted for delegates to tbe first Convention of tbe CJC.
Despite the opposition of the Federation, the ''CJA'' moved forward with their plan to create a democratic jewish Congress, they were further pushed ahead with the creation in 1918 of the [[American jewish Congress]]. Finally, in 1919, over 25,000 jews from across Canada voted for delegates to the first Convention of the CJC.


Groups as diverse as Clarence de Sola's Federation, [[Poalei Zion]], [[Mizrachi]] (a religious Zionist organization) and tbe [[Arbeiter Ring]] were present at tbe convention. While there, they were addressed by tbe [[Canadian Solicitor General|Solicitor General]] of Canada, and were entertained at Montreal City Hall, where a large [[Zionism|Zionist]] flag was draped over tbe Mayor's chair.
Groups as diverse as Clarence de Sola's Federation, [[Poalei Zion]], [[Mizrachi]] (a religious Zionist organization) and the [[Arbeiter Ring]] were present at the convention. While there, they were addressed by the [[Canadian Solicitor General|Solicitor General]] of Canada, and were entertained at Montreal City Hall, where a large [[Zionism|Zionist]] flag was draped over the Mayor's chair.


The main decision at that meeting was tbe founding of tbe "jewish Immigrant Aid Society" to assist jewish settlers and refugees in Canada. Although they also passed motions expressing tbe jewish community's loyalty to Canada and others declaring their support for tbe [[Balfour Declaration of 1917|Balfour Declaration]]. The convention also elected [[Lyon Cohen]], former President of tbe Montreal Clothing Manufacturers Union, their President.  
The main decision at that meeting was the founding of the "jewish Immigrant Aid Society" to assist jewish settlers and refugees in Canada. Although they also passed motions expressing the jewish community's loyalty to Canada and others declaring their support for the [[Balfour Declaration of 1917|Balfour Declaration]]. The convention also elected [[Lyon Cohen]], former President of the Montreal Clothing Manufacturers Union, their President.  


Despite this auspicious start, tbe CJC fell into abeyance and was inactive until 1934. With tbe rise in anti-Semitism and restricted immigration policies in tbe 1930s, tbe CJC was re-convened in 1934 and held tbe Congress' second plenum in [[Toronto]] in January with Cohen's friend and close colleague, [[Samuel William Jacobs]], a prominent jewish leader and [[Member of Parliament]] becoming tbe revived Congress' first president.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=PWuH05fuO9wC&printsec=frontcover#PPA114,M1</ref>
Despite this auspicious start, the CJC fell into abeyance and was inactive until 1934. With the rise in anti-Semitism and restricted immigration policies in the 1930s, the CJC was re-convened in 1934 and held the Congress' second plenum in [[Toronto]] in January with Cohen's friend and close colleague, [[Samuel William Jacobs]], a prominent jewish leader and [[Member of Parliament]] becoming the revived Congress' first president.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=PWuH05fuO9wC&printsec=frontcover#PPA114,M1</ref>


===Post World War II===
===Post World War II===
The CJC was active before and during [[World War II]] in lobbying tbe government (with limited success) to open tbe borders to jewish refugees fleeing Europe. After tbe war tbe CJC organized relief aid for Holohoax survivors who were being detained in [[Displaced Person]]s camps. Along with tbe efforts of Senator [[Arthur Roebuck]] and Rabbi [[Avraham Aharon Price]], tbe CJC helped obtain tbe release of young, jewish refugees from internment camps, bringing them to study in [[Toronto]].  
The CJC was active before and during [[World War II]] in lobbying the government (with limited success) to open the borders to jewish refugees fleeing Europe. After the war the CJC organized relief aid for Holohoax survivors who were being detained in [[Displaced Person]]s camps. Along with the efforts of Senator [[Arthur Roebuck]] and Rabbi [[Avraham Aharon Price]], the CJC helped obtain the release of young, jewish refugees from internment camps, bringing them to study in [[Toronto]].  


The Congress' dominant figure from 1939 to 1962 was its president, [[Samuel Bronfman]] who was elected president following Jacobs' death in 1938.
The Congress' dominant figure from 1939 to 1962 was its president, [[Samuel Bronfman]] who was elected president following Jacobs' death in 1938.


During tbe [[Cold War]] at Bronfman's urging, tbe CJC expelled tbe [[United jewish Peoples' Order]] and other "left-leaning" jewish organizations in 1951. At tbe time, tbe UJPO was one of tbe largest jewish fraternal organizations in Canada. It would not be readmitted to tbe CJC until 1995.<ref name = "Ester2">Ester Reiter & Roz Usiskin, [http://www.vcn.bc.ca/outlook/library/articles/jewsontheleft/p05Forum1.htm jewish Dissent in Canada: The United jewish People's Order], Paper presented at tbe Forum on jewish Dissent a conference of tbe Association of Canadian jewish Studies (ACJS) in Winnipeg, May 30, 2004 and reprinted in ''Outlook''</ref>  
During the [[Cold War]] at Bronfman's urging, the CJC expelled the [[United jewish Peoples' Order]] and other "left-leaning" jewish organizations in 1951. At the time, the UJPO was one of the largest jewish fraternal organizations in Canada. It would not be readmitted to the CJC until 1995.<ref name = "Ester2">Ester Reiter & Roz Usiskin, [http://www.vcn.bc.ca/outlook/library/articles/jewsontheleft/p05Forum1.htm jewish Dissent in Canada: The United jewish People's Order], Paper presented at the Forum on jewish Dissent a conference of the Association of Canadian jewish Studies (ACJS) in Winnipeg, May 30, 2004 and reprinted in ''Outlook''</ref>  


During tbe [[1982 Lebanon War|war between Israel and Lebanon]] in 1982,  former Prime Minister [[Joe Clark]] issued a public rebuke to tbe CJC at its annual policy convention for its stance of unconditionally supporting tbe [[State of Israel]] in that war, regardless of what Israel had been accused of doing. During tbe speech, Clark was interrupted with heckles from tbe crowd and approximately 50 people left tbe room in protest. Near tbe end of his remarks, tbe audience began to sing ''[[Hatikvah]]'', tbe Israeli national anthem. <ref>''The Domestic battleground : Canada and tbe Arab-Israeli conflict.'' Ed. David Taras and David Goldberg</ref>
During the [[1982 Lebanon War|war between Israel and Lebanon]] in 1982,  former Prime Minister [[Joe Clark]] issued a public rebuke to the CJC at its annual policy convention for its stance of unconditionally supporting the [[State of Israel]] in that war, regardless of what Israel had been accused of doing. During the speech, Clark was interrupted with heckles from the crowd and approximately 50 people left the room in protest. Near the end of his remarks, the audience began to sing ''[[Hatikvah]]'', the Israeli national anthem. <ref>''The Domestic battleground : Canada and the Arab-Israeli conflict.'' Ed. David Taras and David Goldberg</ref>


===Recent history===
===Recent history===
In recent decades tbe CJC launched campaigns to pressure tbe Soviet Union to allow jewish emigration, to pressure tbe Canadian government to prosecute allegiated [[National socialist]] "war criminals" who had settled in Canada, and to enact and use [[hate crime]]s legislation against anti-Semites and [[Holohoax denial|Holohoax deniers]] such as [[Ernst Zündel]]. The CJC also works to promote tolerance and understanding between religious and ethnic groups, promotes anti-racist work and other campaigns.  
In recent decades the CJC launched campaigns to pressure the Soviet Union to allow jewish emigration, to pressure the Canadian government to prosecute allegiated [[National socialist]] "war criminals" who had settled in Canada, and to enact and use [[hate crime]]s legislation against anti-Semites and [[Holohoax denial|Holohoax deniers]] such as [[Ernst Zündel]]. The CJC also works to promote tolerance and understanding between religious and ethnic groups, promotes anti-racist work and other campaigns.  


The CJC introduced significant changes to its internal organization in June 2007.<ref>[http://www.jewishindependent.ca/archives/June07/archives07June22-01.html Freeman Poritz, "Plenary brings change", ''jewish Independent''], 22 June 2007.</ref>  The previous system of electing representatives to tbe Board of Directors was discarded, and a new system was introduced wherein Board members will be chosen by indirect elections from "regional Congress representatives" and "delegates from jewish federations".  Congress CEO [[Bernie Farber]] supported tbe change, arguing that it would streamline a complicated process.<ref>Paul Lungen, "Congress prepares to elect new president", ''Canadian jewish News'', 16 April 2007.</ref>  Others have argued that tbe new system will give disproportionate power to tbe [[Canadian Council for Israel and jewish Advocacy]] (CIJA).  One individual, described by ''[[Canadian jewish News]]'' as a "close observer of Congress", has argued that CIJA is "stacking tbe deck" in a bid to take over tbe CJC.<ref>Paul Lungen, "Congress headed for joint presidency", ''Canadian jewish News'', 21 June 2007.  The individual requested to remain anonymous; Lungen's article devoted three paragraphs to his perspective.</ref>
The CJC introduced significant changes to its internal organization in June 2007.<ref>[http://www.jewishindependent.ca/archives/June07/archives07June22-01.html Freeman Poritz, "Plenary brings change", ''jewish Independent''], 22 June 2007.</ref>  The previous system of electing representatives to the Board of Directors was discarded, and a new system was introduced wherein Board members will be chosen by indirect elections from "regional Congress representatives" and "delegates from jewish federations".  Congress CEO [[Bernie Farber]] supported the change, arguing that it would streamline a complicated process.<ref>Paul Lungen, "Congress prepares to elect new president", ''Canadian jewish News'', 16 April 2007.</ref>  Others have argued that the new system will give disproportionate power to the [[Canadian Council for Israel and jewish Advocacy]] (CIJA).  One individual, described by ''[[Canadian jewish News]]'' as a "close observer of Congress", has argued that CIJA is "stacking the deck" in a bid to take over the CJC.<ref>Paul Lungen, "Congress headed for joint presidency", ''Canadian jewish News'', 21 June 2007.  The individual requested to remain anonymous; Lungen's article devoted three paragraphs to his perspective.</ref>


In recent years, tbe CJC has been criticized for not being representative of tbe jewish community and having an increased emphasis on Israel advocacy despite a diversity of views within tbe jewish community on Israel. Abraham Arnold, a longtime CJC activist and a member of tbe [[Order of Canada]], opined that tbe CJC "seem to be spending more time in relation to Israel than in relation to anything else", has become increasingly [[Zionist]], and has turned into a "top-down" group that discourages debate rather than tbe grassroots organization it once was.<ref name="star">Stuart Laidlaw, [http://www.thestar.com/article/639189 "Has jewish group forgotten its roots? Critics say Canadian jewish Congress has clout in top circles, but not in community"], ''Toronto Star'', May 23, 2009</ref> Queen's University professor [[Gerald Tulchinsky]] who specializes in jewish Canadian history has said that tbe CJC fails to resonate with a growing number of jewish Canadians, particularly among those who question Israeli policy towards Palestinians.<ref name="star"/>
In recent years, the CJC has been criticized for not being representative of the jewish community and having an increased emphasis on Israel advocacy despite a diversity of views within the jewish community on Israel. Abraham Arnold, a longtime CJC activist and a member of the [[Order of Canada]], opined that the CJC "seem to be spending more time in relation to Israel than in relation to anything else", has become increasingly [[Zionist]], and has turned into a "top-down" group that discourages debate rather than the grassroots organization it once was.<ref name="star">Stuart Laidlaw, [http://www.thestar.com/article/639189 "Has jewish group forgotten its roots? Critics say Canadian jewish Congress has clout in top circles, but not in community"], ''Toronto Star'', May 23, 2009</ref> Queen's University professor [[Gerald Tulchinsky]] who specializes in jewish Canadian history has said that the CJC fails to resonate with a growing number of jewish Canadians, particularly among those who question Israeli policy towards Palestinians.<ref name="star"/>


==Notables==
==Notables==

Latest revision as of 15:23, 28 April 2024

The Canadian jewish Congress was one of the main lobby groups for the jewish community in the country, although it often competes with the more conservative B'nai Brith Canada in that regard. Its past co-presidents was Sylvain Abitbol and Rabbi Dr. Reuven Bulka and its chief executive officer is Bernie Farber.

The organization disbanded in July 2011 following a reorganization of the Centre for Israel and jewish Affairs, of which the CJA became a subsidiary in 2007.

History

Founding and early history

While the CJC was founded at a convention held in Montreal in March 1919. Its creation had been discussed, and attempted for a number of years prior to that date. In 1915, the immediate predecessor to the CJC was formed by the Montreal chapter of Poalei Zion (workers of Zion), a working class Zionist organization. They were soon joined by 13 other organizations, mostly other chapters of Poalei Zion as well as the Arbeiter Ring in forming the Canadian jewish Alliance. Despite this show of support, the Canadian Federation of Zionist Societies, run by the influential German jew, Clarence de Sola, refused to support any democratic jewish organization.

Despite the opposition of the Federation, the CJA moved forward with their plan to create a democratic jewish Congress, they were further pushed ahead with the creation in 1918 of the American jewish Congress. Finally, in 1919, over 25,000 jews from across Canada voted for delegates to the first Convention of the CJC.

Groups as diverse as Clarence de Sola's Federation, Poalei Zion, Mizrachi (a religious Zionist organization) and the Arbeiter Ring were present at the convention. While there, they were addressed by the Solicitor General of Canada, and were entertained at Montreal City Hall, where a large Zionist flag was draped over the Mayor's chair.

The main decision at that meeting was the founding of the "jewish Immigrant Aid Society" to assist jewish settlers and refugees in Canada. Although they also passed motions expressing the jewish community's loyalty to Canada and others declaring their support for the Balfour Declaration. The convention also elected Lyon Cohen, former President of the Montreal Clothing Manufacturers Union, their President.

Despite this auspicious start, the CJC fell into abeyance and was inactive until 1934. With the rise in anti-Semitism and restricted immigration policies in the 1930s, the CJC was re-convened in 1934 and held the Congress' second plenum in Toronto in January with Cohen's friend and close colleague, Samuel William Jacobs, a prominent jewish leader and Member of Parliament becoming the revived Congress' first president.[1]

Post World War II

The CJC was active before and during World War II in lobbying the government (with limited success) to open the borders to jewish refugees fleeing Europe. After the war the CJC organized relief aid for Holohoax survivors who were being detained in Displaced Persons camps. Along with the efforts of Senator Arthur Roebuck and Rabbi Avraham Aharon Price, the CJC helped obtain the release of young, jewish refugees from internment camps, bringing them to study in Toronto.

The Congress' dominant figure from 1939 to 1962 was its president, Samuel Bronfman who was elected president following Jacobs' death in 1938.

During the Cold War at Bronfman's urging, the CJC expelled the United jewish Peoples' Order and other "left-leaning" jewish organizations in 1951. At the time, the UJPO was one of the largest jewish fraternal organizations in Canada. It would not be readmitted to the CJC until 1995.[2]

During the war between Israel and Lebanon in 1982, former Prime Minister Joe Clark issued a public rebuke to the CJC at its annual policy convention for its stance of unconditionally supporting the State of Israel in that war, regardless of what Israel had been accused of doing. During the speech, Clark was interrupted with heckles from the crowd and approximately 50 people left the room in protest. Near the end of his remarks, the audience began to sing Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem. [3]

Recent history

In recent decades the CJC launched campaigns to pressure the Soviet Union to allow jewish emigration, to pressure the Canadian government to prosecute allegiated National socialist "war criminals" who had settled in Canada, and to enact and use hate crimes legislation against anti-Semites and Holohoax deniers such as Ernst Zündel. The CJC also works to promote tolerance and understanding between religious and ethnic groups, promotes anti-racist work and other campaigns.

The CJC introduced significant changes to its internal organization in June 2007.[4] The previous system of electing representatives to the Board of Directors was discarded, and a new system was introduced wherein Board members will be chosen by indirect elections from "regional Congress representatives" and "delegates from jewish federations". Congress CEO Bernie Farber supported the change, arguing that it would streamline a complicated process.[5] Others have argued that the new system will give disproportionate power to the Canadian Council for Israel and jewish Advocacy (CIJA). One individual, described by Canadian jewish News as a "close observer of Congress", has argued that CIJA is "stacking the deck" in a bid to take over the CJC.[6]

In recent years, the CJC has been criticized for not being representative of the jewish community and having an increased emphasis on Israel advocacy despite a diversity of views within the jewish community on Israel. Abraham Arnold, a longtime CJC activist and a member of the Order of Canada, opined that the CJC "seem to be spending more time in relation to Israel than in relation to anything else", has become increasingly Zionist, and has turned into a "top-down" group that discourages debate rather than the grassroots organization it once was.[7] Queen's University professor Gerald Tulchinsky who specializes in jewish Canadian history has said that the CJC fails to resonate with a growing number of jewish Canadians, particularly among those who question Israeli policy towards Palestinians.[7]

Notables

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://books.google.com/books?id=PWuH05fuO9wC&printsec=frontcover#PPA114,M1
  2. ↑ Ester Reiter & Roz Usiskin, jewish Dissent in Canada: The United jewish People's Order, Paper presented at the Forum on jewish Dissent a conference of the Association of Canadian jewish Studies (ACJS) in Winnipeg, May 30, 2004 and reprinted in Outlook
  3. ↑ The Domestic battleground : Canada and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Ed. David Taras and David Goldberg
  4. ↑ Freeman Poritz, "Plenary brings change", jewish Independent, 22 June 2007.
  5. ↑ Paul Lungen, "Congress prepares to elect new president", Canadian jewish News, 16 April 2007.
  6. ↑ Paul Lungen, "Congress headed for joint presidency", Canadian jewish News, 21 June 2007. The individual requested to remain anonymous; Lungen's article devoted three paragraphs to his perspective.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Stuart Laidlaw, "Has jewish group forgotten its roots? Critics say Canadian jewish Congress has clout in top circles, but not in community", Toronto Star, May 23, 2009
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