A landmark gathering in Montreal last week brought together political, civic, and cultural leaders to affirm a shared Canadian commitment to confronting antisemitism with unity, courage, and moral clarity.
Across Canada, communities are confronting a troubling rise in antisemitism, and the response has increasingly depended on local leadership stepping forward where national institutions have struggled. That reality was on full display in Montreal last week at an event organized by the Institute for Public Affairs Montreal where a packed room gathered for an evening of witness, testimony, and solidarity. Leaders from politics, civil society, media, and seven cultural communities came together under the banner of Quebec Allies Against Antisemitism to honour individuals whose work strengthens the broader Canadian effort to push back against hate, including here in Ottawa.
Each honouree received the Flamme du Courage Award, a recognition reserved for those who choose clarity and moral responsibility at a moment when both are urgently needed. Senator Tony Loffreda was represented by commercial banker and real estate financier Mathi Selva. CJAD host Elias Makos was recognized for his consistent and courageous voice in Quebec media. The Red Coalition’s founder and president, Joel DeBellefeuille, stood alongside the coalition’s vice president, Cosimo La Rosa. Subhash Khanna, Chair of the Hindu Mandir and a vital community leader, was also honoured.
What unfolded in Montreal was not a regional story. It was part of a larger Canadian movement in which communities from Montreal to Ottawa are refusing to normalize antisemitism and are choosing instead to build alliances that strengthen the country’s social fabric. The unity on display in Quebec reflects a national shift toward confronting hate with cooperation, courage, and public accountability.
As the evening progressed, the message became even clearer when Beryl Wajsman, President of the Institute for Public Affairs Montreal, addressed the audience. His bilingual remarks captured both the emotional weight of the moment and the broader moral stakes facing Canadians today. It was a direct and dignified call for courage, solidarity, and moral responsibility, delivered with the principled urgency of shared Canadian values. Those remarks are below:
Remarks by Beryl Wajsman, President, Institute for Public Affairs Montreal
When we chose the theme “We are not alone,” it was not simply a slogan. It was a statement of faith, of friendship, and of resolve. As President John F. Kennedy reminded us during the civil rights struggle of African Americans in the 1960s, “we are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the Scriptures and as clear as the Constitution.” That remains true today. Whether the targets are Jews, Christians, or any other religious or racial community, the issue before us is ultimately whether we will defend the dignity, freedom, and equal rights of every citizen or whether some will receive preferential treatment because of the fear they instill and the lies they propagate while others are forgotten. It is the answer to that question that will determine the success of our common struggle against antisemitism. Because as we all know, what starts with the Jews never ends only with the Jews.
Lorsque nous avons choisi le thème “Nous ne sommes pas seuls”, ce n’était pas simplement un slogan. C’était une affirmation de foi, d’amitié et de détermination. Comme le rappelait le président John F. Kennedy lors de la lutte pour les droits civiques des Afro Américains dans les années 1960, « nous sommes confrontés avant tout à une question morale. Elle est aussi ancienne que les Écritures et aussi claire que la Constitution. » Cela demeure vrai aujourd’hui. Que les cibles soient des Juifs, des chrétiens ou toute autre communauté religieuse ou raciale, la question fondamentale est de savoir si nous défendrons la dignité, la liberté et l’égalité de chaque citoyen, ou si certains recevront un traitement préférentiel en raison de la peur qu’ils inspirent et des mensonges qu’ils propagent, tandis que d’autres seront oubliés. La réponse à cette question déterminera le succès de notre lutte commune contre l’antisémitisme. Car nous le savons tous, ce qui commence avec les Juifs ne se termine jamais seulement avec les Juifs.
Over these past months and years, many in our community have felt isolated. We have seen hatred expressed openly, intimidation on our streets and campuses, and too often a silence where there should have been voices of support. It would have been easy to believe that we were standing by ourselves.
But tonight proves otherwise.
Tonight we are surrounded by friends, neighbours, colleagues, and allies from every background who understand that an attack on one community is an attack on all communities. They know that the values at stake are not simply Jewish values. They are our common values: freedom, dignity, equality before the law, and respect for one another.
This gathering is not about fear. It is about courage. It is about celebrating bridges instead of walls, friendships instead of suspicion, and hope instead of despair.
Au cours des derniers mois et des dernières années, beaucoup de membres de notre communauté se sont sentis isolés. Nous avons vu la haine s’exprimer ouvertement, l’intimidation se manifester dans nos rues et sur nos campus, et trop souvent un silence là où il aurait dû y avoir des voix de soutien. Il aurait été facile de croire que nous étions seuls.
Mais ce soir prouve le contraire.
Nous sommes entourés d’amis, de voisins, de collègues et d’alliés de tous horizons qui comprennent qu’une attaque contre une communauté est une attaque contre toutes les communautés. Ils savent que les valeurs en jeu ne sont pas seulement des valeurs juives. Ce sont nos valeurs communes: la liberté, la dignité, l’égalité devant la loi et le respect mutuel.
Cette rencontre n’est pas fondée sur la peur. Elle est fondée sur le courage. Elle célèbre les ponts plutôt que les murs, l’amitié plutôt que la méfiance, et l’espoir plutôt que le désespoir.
There is an old Jewish teaching that says, “All Israel is responsible for one another.” Tonight, we celebrate an even broader truth: that all decent people are responsible for one another.
So let this evening be a reminder that hatred is never the last word. Solidarity is stronger than intimidation. Friendship is stronger than prejudice. And together, we are stronger than those who seek to divide us.
Il existe un ancien enseignement juif qui dit: « Tout Israël est responsable l’un de l’autre.» Ce soir, nous célébrons une vérité encore plus large: toutes les personnes de bonne volonté sont responsables les unes des autres.
Que cette soirée nous rappelle que la haine n’a jamais le dernier mot. La solidarité est plus forte que l’intimidation. L’amitié est plus forte que les préjugés. Et ensemble, nous sommes plus forts que ceux qui cherchent à nous diviser.
The Montreal gathering organized by the Institute for Public Affairs Montreal was more than an awards ceremony. It was a declaration that Canadians are prepared to stand together across regions, cultures, and communities to confront the oldest hatred with renewed purpose. From Montreal to Ottawa and beyond, the message carried by the Flamme du Courage honourees is unmistakable.
The fight against antisemitism is not the burden of one community but the responsibility of all who believe in the dignity and equality of every citizen. In a time of rising division, this evening offered something rare and necessary: a reminder that solidarity is still possible, and that when Canadians choose to stand together, they are never standing alone.
Photo: Courtesy Facebook
