Canada’s Jews: what are our attitudes towards Israel? A new study was released in December 2024.

A new study of Canada’s Jews

The new study was not commissioned by the usual conservative groups, the Jewish Federations of Canada, or their advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

This time, three progressive Jewish organizations sponsored it: the New Israel Fund of Canada, JSpaceCanada, and Canadian Friends of Peace Now.

Why did these groups commission an independent study? Because—they say—the loudest voices are “conservative establishment Jewish institutions and anti-Zionist Jewish groups.” Their discourse is “co-creating a polarized, black-and-white public debate.”

But, really, “the Jewish community’s opinion” is not a monolith.” Instead, it’s so complex that no “segment of the community” can “claim to speak for all others.”

And the study’s results show exactly that.

Surprising study findings?

Half of Canada’s Jews don’t fit neatly into the “pro-Israel” vs. “anti-Zionist” debate. Here are some interesting statistical findings. 94% of Canada’s Jews support the existence of Israel as a Jewish state. 84% of Canada’s Jews say they are “very” or “somewhat” emotionally attached to Israel. But just 51% of Canadian Jews consider themselves Zionists.

The report’s authors claim to be “puzzled” by the low percentage of Zionists. But maybe it’s not complicated. Lately, it seems the implementation of Zionism depends on endless Israeli state-sponsored violence. And many Canadian Jews want this violence to end.

But, if they say so directly, some Jewish organizations shun them.

We need more Jewish spaces where diverse views can be heard. Let me say why, using the story of Joseph and his brothers.

Joseph and his brothers

Teenage Joseph’s older brothers bully him. One day they talk of killing him. Instead, they sell him into slavery. But they tell their father a wild animal killed him. Twenty-two years pass. Now, it’s a time of famine. Joseph is Egypt’s Minister of Food Security. His brothers have plenty of money, but there’s no food in Canaan for them to buy. So they—ten of them minus youngest brother Benjamin—travel to Egypt to beg the Minister to sell them food.

Minister Joseph recognizes them, but they don’t recognize him. So, he plays some nasty games with them. He frames them for theft, puts brother Simon in prison, and demands to see the youngest brother. Finally, Judah approaches the Minister and says, “Please, Sir. Our elderly father has suffered so much. One son of his beloved wife has died and he still grieves. If her younger son leaves, too, our father will die.”

Joseph bursts into tears and says, “I’m Joseph! Is my father still alive?” And he insists he does not want revenge. Now that the truth is known, he only wants reconciliation.

Not all brothers…

When we read about this family rupture, we tend to talk about “Joseph and his brothers.” But do all the brothers bully Joseph? Do all of them conspire to kill him on that horrible day in Dothan? Absolutely not.

Benjamin, son of Rachel, isn’t there—he’s a child at home. The four sons of Bilhah and Zilpah aren’t there—they didn’t go down to Dothan. That leaves Leah’s six sons. But Judah speaks against killing Joseph, and Reuben even plans to save Joseph. So, that leaves only Simon and Levi—the two who solve every problem with violence—and their likely frightened younger brothers.

It’s not accurate to speak of Joseph’s “brothers” as if they all think violence is justified. Some, like Simon and Levi do. But Reuben is compassionate. Judah is a pro-active negotiator. Ultimately, Judah’s words save Joseph. And, years later, Judah’s words save all the brothers, too.

Canada’s Jews have diverse voices, too

Canada’s Jews are a bit like Joseph’s brothers. We are not all one way or the other. Some do speak of justified violence. But others speak of compassion and negotiation. Or even of truth and reconciliation. And sometimes these idealistic voices point us in a good direction.

We Canadian Jews need to hear all these voices—even when we don’t agree.

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Image: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit