May 14, 2004
It starts on campuses
Local CJC stresses need to counter anti-Semitism.
Local CJC stresses need to counter anti-Semitism.
KYLE BERGER, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
With the recent acts of anti-Semitism around the country, change is needed on Canada's university campuses. This was the topic of a presentation by Prof. Ed Morgan, guest speaker at Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC), Pacific Region's triennial general meeting May 5.
In an interview with the Bulletin prior to the meeting, Morgan, a member of the faculty of law at the University of Toronto, explained that there is a constant political battle being fought on campuses that is not easy to win.
"We have a polarization of values on campus," he said. "We value free speech and academic freedom and we have this idea that the campus is the place where you are supposed to freely debate everything.
"At the other end of the spectrum, we also put a very high value on inclusiveness, making sure that no one feels alienated on campus," he continued. "Which means that we have a lot of protective rules for students. So when it comes to Jewish issues and Israel-oriented issues, university administrations are having a hard time figuring out which end of that spectrum they're supposed to be on."
Morgan noted a couple of incidents at York University in which anti-Israel speakers were allowed to announce their hatred to 200 cheering supporters, while pro-Israel presenters were refused a place to speak. He did not suggest that the administration of York University was anti-Israel or anti-Jewish. Instead, he pointed to the likelihood that the school's administration simply wanted to maintain a low profile rather than stir the pot with radical students.
"It's not that I'm suspicious of them, but they need to be pushed because they want to keep their heads low," he said. "It's hard for administrations to take on student groups, because they always end up looking heavy handed and clumsy when they try to discipline student politics."
The answer, Morgan suggested, is to push advocacy to a new level, including stronger efforts from university faculty. He is currently involved with a group of teachers who are trying to form such a group.
"Often times, if community advocacy groups that aren't used to how campuses work [speak to a school administration], administrators listen politely but they dismiss everything they say," he explained. "We're hoping to have a faculty body that understands the concerns about academic freedom that can give a pitch when there are problems on a campus."
Another solution, Morgan said, is to educate and involve more students."We have to make sure we have the resources to bring in interesting pro-Israel speakers and make sure there are Jewish events for people who want to participate in them."
The triennial meeting marked several changes at CJC, Pacific Region. Mark Weintraub was installed as chair, taking over from Nisson Goldman. The slate of officers included Jon Festinger, vice-chair, Richard Kurland, vice-chair, Dr. Mark Wexler, vice-chair, David Schwartz, secretary, Tony DuMoulin, treasurer, Gerry Cuttler, general counsel, and Herb Silber, national vice-president.
Joining the evening's proceedings were Chief Leonard George of the Tsleil-waututh nation, who spoke on behalf of the aboriginal community, and Attorney General Geoff Plant, who shared greetings from the B.C. government. The Morris Saltzman Award for outstanding contributions to community relations in British Columbia was presented to Sgt. Mark Graf of the Vancouver police department.
Weintraub, in his speech, which he provided to the Bulletin, also touched on the anti-Semitic acts that have been raging in Canada.
"Most of us here tonight are aware that Jewish communities around the world are facing an increased virulence of anti-Semitism not seen since the Holocaust," he said. The new anti-Semitism in fact differs little from the old, in that each careens into defamatory conspiracy theories of overwhelming Jewish power, argued Weintraub.
"One of my priorities will be to have us continue to vigorously advocate to all levels of government to ensure that our communities are as safe and secure as possible," he said. "To paraphrase one of our time-honored teachings, 'We are not obligated to finish all the work, but we are obligated to do our part.' "
For more information about CJC, Pacific Region, call 604-257-5101.
