On Sunday, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa hosted an event at a synagogue in Ottawa, featuring guest speaker Professor Gil Troy, a Harvard-educated scholar, former history professor at McGill University and leading Zionist thinker. Troy has authored numerous articles in prominent newspapers such as The Jerusalem Post, The Daily Beast, and The New York Times.
Professor Troy’s latest book, To Resist the Academic Intifada: Letters to My Students on Defending the Zionist Dream, explores the challenges Jewish students face on university campuses today. Through a series of heartfelt letters, Troy provides thoughtful guidance on embracing Zionist identity and countering antisemitism.
Addressing an audience of both Jewish and non-Jewish attendees, Troy offered a riveting, heartfelt, and candid account of the rise of antisemitism and hate in Canada. He emphasized that fighting antisemitism is also a fight to uphold Canadian values, noting that it threatens the core principles of equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity that Canada stands for. By defending Jewish rights, Canadians reinforce their commitment to human rights for everyone.
Reflecting on his personal experiences as a Jewish academic, Troy recounted the antisemitism he faced during his tenure at McGill University and highlighted the current dangerous climate on campuses. Antisemitic protests have become alarmingly frequent, and many ideological professors support these narratives under the protection of lifelong tenureships. Troy called for the traditional concept of tenure to be reevaluated, proposing five-year segments instead of lifetime tenure. This, he argued, would ensure professors are accountable for teaching objective truths rather than personal ideologies. According to Troy, ideological teaching has replaced independent thinking on campuses in Canada and the United States, contributing to the spread of antisemitism in broader society.
Troy explained that the recent surge in antisemitism and hate towards Jewish people in Canada, especially since the events of October 7th, is an assault on democracy and Canadian values. He noted that Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel on October 7th unleashed a torrent of hate, sparking waves of antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and anti-Americanism that are patently undemocratic. These sentiments, he said, have been simmering for decades, particularly on university campuses in North America.
Troy also shared his family’s ancestral story, recounting their immigration journey from Eastern Europe to Canada. His rise from a modest upbringing in Queens to Harvard and eventually McGill University fortified his belief in democracy, Americanism, liberalism, and Zionism. Reflecting on over 25 years of his personal journey as a professor, father, husband, and citizen, he recounted stories of his ongoing opposition to the academic and ideological shifts that threaten these values.
Troy spoke about his book To Resist the Academic Intifada, where he stresses that Jewish students must embrace their Zionist heritage and use their education to counter antisemitism. The book is filled with personal stories, providing an inspiring account of resilience and demonstrating how personal identity can be a powerful tool in this fight.
One of the key takeaways from Troy was his emphasis on the importance of education in combating antisemitism. Objective truth, meaningful dialogues, and dismantling prejudiced narratives with facts and historical context are the most potent weapons to dislodge hate. Troy encourages everyone—all citizens, not just students—to approach these hard conversations with facts, truth, confidence, and knowledge.
Professor Gil Troy’s work is a testament to the power of education and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs and standing up for Canadian values and for democracy. His lectures and writings continue to inspire and educate, making him a vital voice in the fight against antisemitism.
To Resist the Academic Intifada provides valuable insights, practical advice, and a call to action. It stands as a testament to the power of personal stories and education in the fight for human rights.
