109: The crisis no one is talking about in Canada, with Dr. Casey Babb

About this episode

The episode discusses the changing landscape for Jews in Canada, exploring rising fears and societal acceptance.

Canada has long imagined itself as one of the safest, most tolerant societies on earth. For generations of Jews, it felt that way too. But something has changed, suddenly and profoundly. Synagogues have been shot at. Jewish schools targeted. People are hiding their identities, looking over their shoulder, taking down mezuzahs. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Casey Babb to ask a question few outside Canada are even aware needs asking: what is happening to Canadian Jews? From the history of Jewish life in Canada to the shock of October 7 and its aftermath, we trace how a quiet, integrated community is now grappling with fear, isolation, and a growing sense that the country they helped build may no longer fully accept them. This isn’t just a story about Jews in Canada. It’s a story about what happens when a society loses the ability to confront its own realities -- and what that means for its future. -- This episode was sponsored by Josh Sheptow and dedicated to the memory of Amnon Zilberspitz. Amnon was taken to the extermination camp at Auschwitz at age 20 with his brother and sister. Only he survived. After the war, he arrived at Kibbutz Dorot in 1947. On the Kibbutz he met…

People in this episode

Host: Haviv Rettig Gur

Guest: Dr. Casey Babb

Topics covered

• Jewish life in Canada
• antisemitism
• community safety
• identity
• historical context
• social acceptance

Keywords

• Canada
• Jews
• antisemitism
• identity
• community
• safety
• history

Sponsors

Josh Sheptow

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Auschwitz, Kibbutz Dorot

Places: Canada, Israel

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