119: Canada’s Jewish reckoning, with Prof. Gil Troy
Summary
Historian Gil Troy joins Haviv to discuss the history and current crisis of Canadian Jewry. He contrasts Canada’s multicultural, collectivist identity with America’s individualism, tracing Jewish immigration from early fur traders to post-WWII survivors. Troy analyzes rising antisemitism, attributing it to a "Europeanization" of Canadian politics, Islamist extremism, and progressive hostility. He highlights the community’s resilience, noting Toronto’s growth as Montreal’s separatist movement drove many Jews south.
Topics discussed
Introduction, guest bio, and dedication to Sandy Danto
Differences between Canadian and American Jewish history
Roots of antisemitism: European ideology vs. modern trends
Historical overview: Early Jewish immigration to Canada
Post-WWII era, multiculturalism, and the rise of Quebec separatism
Shift from Montreal to Toronto as the center of Canadian Jewry
Defining antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and current hate crime statistics
Polling data on antisemitic attitudes in Canada and among Muslims
The impact of October 7th and the 'polite pogrom' phenomenon
Strategies for community resilience, mobilization, and identity
Conclusion and final thoughts on Canadian Jewish strength
Listen ad-free on Castria