Canada

Information

Demography

The Jewish population in Canada is approximately 400,000, making it the 4th largest community in the world. It is only 1.2% of the Canadian population, compared to 67.3% Christian, 38.7% Catholic and 3.2% Muslim.

The community is predominantly Ashkenazi, concentrated in Toronto, Montreal,  Vancouver and Ottawa, although there are smaller congregations elsewhere. Montreal also has a small Sephardi community, originating from North African immigration.

The Canadian Jewish community is stable and vibrant.

History

The first Jews to arrive in Canada were British soldiers, in Montreal, in the 1760s. Previous French rule had banned Jews from settling.

Some British Jewish soldiers stayed and the first synagogue, Shaarei Israel, was built in 1768.

The Jewish population increased through the 18th and 19th centuries, coming from Eastern Europe. Communities became established in all the major cities.

During WW2, a politican was quoted as saying 'none is too many'. Canada did not want to open its border to refugees fleeing the Nazis. In 1939, the SS St. Louis, carrying approximately 900 refugees, was denied entry into Canada, the USA and Cuba, and was sent back to Europe. Eventually Canada took 5,000 refugees, but this was the lowest amount of all Western countries.

After the war, the Canadian Jewish Congress (predecessor of CIJA) worked to assist with the immigration and settlement of refugees and survivors. 

Public Life

The Jewish community have contributed to the wider society and been prominent in politics.

Ezekiel Hart was the first Jewish person to enter Parliament, in 1808.

In 1955, David Croll, a Russian immigrant, became the first Jewish senator.

Herbert Gray was the first Jewish cabinet minister and in 1997, Deputy Prime Minister.

Irwin Cotler was Attorney General in 2003, as well as Minister of Justice.

The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella, daughter of Holocaust survivors, was the first Jewish woman appointed to the Canadian Supreme Court.

Community Life

All streams of Judaism have congregations in Canada. The main ones are 40% Orthodox, 40% Conservative and 20% Reform.

Synagogues are found in all the major cities running regular services, midweek, Shabbat and the High Holidays.

There are several Jewish nursing homes and hospitals that serve both the Jewish and non-Jewish population.

Canadian Hadassah-Wizo (CHW) focuses on healthcare, education, childcare and women's issues. it is integral to the wider society.

Kashrut

Kosher food is easily obtainable in the major cities . There are shops, butchers and restaurants. It is also available in smaller cities/towns but on a smaller scale.

Education

In Toronto, 40% of Jewish children are in Jewish primary schools and 12% in Jewish high schools.

In Montreal, 60% of Jewish children are in Jewish primary schools and 30% in Jewish high schools.

There is a rabbinical college in Quebec.

Some of the larger universities offer Jewish Studies.

Youth

Canada is affiliated to several Jewish youth organisations: B'nai Akiva, BBYO, Betar, Young Judea Canada.

Media

There are 20 Jewish newspapers/journals, for example, the Canadian Jewish News and Jewish Tribune.

There are also Jewish radio stations in both English and French.

Affiliations

Commonwealth Jewish Council

World Jewish Congress