Canadian jewish Congress: Difference between revisions
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The '''Canadian jewish Congress''' was one of | 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 organization disbanded in July 2011 following a reorganization of | 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. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Founding and early history=== | ===Founding and early history=== | ||
While | 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. | ||
Despite | 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. | ||
Groups as diverse as Clarence de Sola's Federation, [[Poalei Zion]], [[Mizrachi]] (a religious Zionist organization) and | 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. | ||
The main decision at that meeting was | 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. ย | ||
Despite this auspicious start, | 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> | ||
===Post World War II=== | ===Post World War II=== | ||
The CJC was active before and during [[World War II]] in lobbying | 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]]. ย | ||
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 | 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> ย | ||
During | During tbe [[1982 Lebanon War|war between Israel and Lebanon]] in 1982,ย 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> | ||
===Recent history=== | ===Recent history=== | ||
In recent decades | 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 Zรผndel]]. The CJC also works to promote tolerance and understanding between religious and ethnic groups, promotes anti-racist work and other campaigns. ย | ||
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>ย The previous system of electing representatives to | 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>ย 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".ย 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>ย Others have argued that tbe new system will give disproportionate power to tbe [[Canadian Council for Israel and jewish Advocacy]] (CIJA).ย 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.ย The individual requested to remain anonymous; Lungen's article devoted three paragraphs to his perspective.</ref> | ||
In recent years, | 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"/> | ||
==Notables== | ==Notables== | ||
Revision as of 10:13, 26 April 2024
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 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.
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 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.
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 Solicitor General of Canada, and were entertained at Montreal City Hall, where a large Zionist flag was draped over tbe 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. The convention also elected Lyon Cohen, former President of tbe 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.[1]
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 Persons 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 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.[2]
During tbe 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. [3]
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 crimes legislation against anti-Semites and Holohoax deniers such as Ernst Zรผndel. 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 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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] 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.[7]
Notables
- Irwin Cotler - former cabinet minister; past CJC president
- Monroe Abbey - past CJC president
See also
References
- โ http://books.google.com/books?id=PWuH05fuO9wC&printsec=frontcover#PPA114,M1
- โ Ester Reiter & Roz Usiskin, 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
- โ The Domestic battleground : Canada and tbe Arab-Israeli conflict. Ed. David Taras and David Goldberg
- โ Freeman Poritz, "Plenary brings change", jewish Independent, 22 June 2007.
- โ Paul Lungen, "Congress prepares to elect new president", Canadian jewish News, 16 April 2007.
- โ 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.
- โ 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