My heart and soul is still as heavy today as on Shabbat morning when I woke to the news from Israel. I rushed to get dressed and go to my shul. The need to be with "our own" was so strong. We hugged, and wept but at that moment, that was all we could do. When I returned, I called my brother, in his 97th year, (made Aliyah in 1951), and we talked on WhatsApp comforting each other. Thankfully, my family and extended family were and still are well. The pro-Hamas supporters were filling the streets of the Toronto, and ironically took over the Lastman Square. Ironically, because the square was named for the second Jewish Mayor of our city. The first was Nathan Philips, and the downtown Square, also filled with pro-Hamas idiots filled that area as well. The word "depressed" was replaced with anger, and grief. Anger at the open hatred for Jews and Israel had taken over, and all the blame for the incursion and massacres were put on the heads of Jews. But the worst was the obvious glee shown by our Muslims in Canada, dancing in the streets and giving candy to their children. The next thing that upset me and many others in my community was the silence from Ottawa. When our PM did speak it was to say that Israel as the right to defend itself, and "we must be careful about the growing antisemitism and Islamophobia". I was close to throwing a brick at the TV. To mention both of these forms of hate in the same breath aggravated me, and to this day, this ineffectual leader and his caucus never mention one without the other. Then he had our UN representative vote against Israel at the UN, at least twice and a recent abst-ntion which to me is a vote against Jews and Israel. An embargo on much needed equipment for Israel, and the opening of our borders to "displaced Gazans" for a two year period certainly shows Trudeau's preference in who he wants in our country. So now, I have experienced grief, anger, and yet to complete all the necessary feelings of loss. Thankfully, the positive reactions from Persians who detest what has happened in their homeland of Iran, and so many of my non-Jewish friends have called to support us. But the campus encampments of ignorant pro-Hamas students and instructors, the obvious negative treatment to Jewish Students and their supporters, and on going and obvious hate toward us that can be seen every day in our city and country has combined to take toll on our wonderful Jewish community. On the positive side, shul attendance for the Hight Holidays, as well as regular Services has surged. On the negative is the high cost to provIde security for our buildings, businesses, etc. Our media with the exception of the National Post, is constantly putting all the onus of everything from the initial attack to all of Israel's defences on Israel. Madame Joly insists that Israel must cease fire, but no mention of the 101 hostages still in Gaza. She, like our PM. wants Israel to commit suicide, and they are upset that we are not bowing our heads and walking silently into the gas chambers. We will overcome, we will be stronger than ever! Am Yisrael Chai!
Well written, Kyle. Thank you for sharing this.
So well expressed. Kyle I am immensely proud of you. Wishing you only good things, Jory Vernon
My heart and soul is still as heavy today as on Shabbat morning when I woke to the news from Israel. I rushed to get dressed and go to my shul. The need to be with "our own" was so strong. We hugged, and wept but at that moment, that was all we could do. When I returned, I called my brother, in his 97th year, (made Aliyah in 1951), and we talked on WhatsApp comforting each other. Thankfully, my family and extended family were and still are well. The pro-Hamas supporters were filling the streets of the Toronto, and ironically took over the Lastman Square. Ironically, because the square was named for the second Jewish Mayor of our city. The first was Nathan Philips, and the downtown Square, also filled with pro-Hamas idiots filled that area as well. The word "depressed" was replaced with anger, and grief. Anger at the open hatred for Jews and Israel had taken over, and all the blame for the incursion and massacres were put on the heads of Jews. But the worst was the obvious glee shown by our Muslims in Canada, dancing in the streets and giving candy to their children. The next thing that upset me and many others in my community was the silence from Ottawa. When our PM did speak it was to say that Israel as the right to defend itself, and "we must be careful about the growing antisemitism and Islamophobia". I was close to throwing a brick at the TV. To mention both of these forms of hate in the same breath aggravated me, and to this day, this ineffectual leader and his caucus never mention one without the other. Then he had our UN representative vote against Israel at the UN, at least twice and a recent abst-ntion which to me is a vote against Jews and Israel. An embargo on much needed equipment for Israel, and the opening of our borders to "displaced Gazans" for a two year period certainly shows Trudeau's preference in who he wants in our country. So now, I have experienced grief, anger, and yet to complete all the necessary feelings of loss. Thankfully, the positive reactions from Persians who detest what has happened in their homeland of Iran, and so many of my non-Jewish friends have called to support us. But the campus encampments of ignorant pro-Hamas students and instructors, the obvious negative treatment to Jewish Students and their supporters, and on going and obvious hate toward us that can be seen every day in our city and country has combined to take toll on our wonderful Jewish community. On the positive side, shul attendance for the Hight Holidays, as well as regular Services has surged. On the negative is the high cost to provIde security for our buildings, businesses, etc. Our media with the exception of the National Post, is constantly putting all the onus of everything from the initial attack to all of Israel's defences on Israel. Madame Joly insists that Israel must cease fire, but no mention of the 101 hostages still in Gaza. She, like our PM. wants Israel to commit suicide, and they are upset that we are not bowing our heads and walking silently into the gas chambers. We will overcome, we will be stronger than ever! Am Yisrael Chai!