"Real Peace Now"

Shabbat Message from CEO Ezra S. Shanken
 

We want to start by saying a big thank you to everyone who was involved in creating the toolkit that we launched on Wednesday—and everyone who has provided feedback. This is a remarkable set of resources that will help you fight back against antisemitism, so spread the word and share it with your Jewish friends. 

Our Antisemitism and Israel Crisis Response Team (AICRT) co-chaired by Rabbi Dan Moskovitz and Nico Slobinsky, has no less than nine subcommittees. Each of them has shown outstanding dedication to fighting antisemitism and to building resources to help our community. I feel very privileged to work alongside them, and we should all feel very proud of the work that they are producing.

More tools will be coming, too, so stay tuned for updates as they are produced. If you would like to share feedback about the toolkit, please email us.  

These resources are needed now more than ever.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) released new antisemitism statistics:

• 62% increase in police-reported antisemitic hate incidents in 2023 vs. 2022.  

• 33 of 47 incidents occurred after the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.  

• The VPD has investigated 50 criminal offences connected to the October 7 terrorist attacks and ensuing conflict.  

We are not silent on this.  

You can read the news release from our advocacy agent, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. You can also watch and read interviews that Nico and I gave to local media about these alarming statistics. You can also join the call to action to ask the government of Canada to offer clear support for Israel as it defends itself from false claims of genocide, which can lead to more hate directed to Jews here.

Today, we have another important tool for you. 

I am so excited by what we have to share with you today. And share is the operative word - it's for you to share. Because this campaign has been crafted to build allies among the non-Jewish community. It is the work of AICRT’s Communications subcommittee, with Alvin Wasserman leading the development of the creative.  

Introducing: Real Peace Now.  

It might surprise you, but research shows that most non-Jewish British Columbians lean toward supporting Israel and the Jewish community in this moment. And many of them are looking for concrete ways to show their support. What's great about the Real Peace Now campaign is that it showcases our community's desire for peace and encourages them to become stronger supporters. 

The same research shows the messages non-Jewish British Columbians are most likely to respond to and which messages won't move them. For example, other communities have focused their messaging in certain areas, even buying billboard space to display them. While commendable and important, you won’t see that messaging here, nor will you see Real Peace Now on billboards. Instead of simply hitting copy/paste on what others have done, Real Peace Now is grounded in real data from real people, right here in BC. 

That data also shows that non-Jewish British Columbians are most likely to increase their support through conversations with friends and family.  

This is where you come in.  

The Real Peace Now website has graphics, messaging and myths/facts that you can share with your non-Jewish friends—and that they can share, too.

I am going to share this with all of my non-Jewish friends who are open to learning more. And I challenge you to do the same.

If there is one thing that we should all be able to agree on, it’s that everyone deserves a just and lasting peace. 

That said, we know that there are many people who have their own deeply entrenched views. This campaign is not focused on them, because no campaign will change their minds. That still leaves millions more people who do want to hear from their Jewish friends.

So let's get Real Peace Now out there. You've still got time before Shabbat to head over to RealPeaceNow.ca, start sharing, and start the conversation with your friends. It's up to you and me—and all of us—to show who we are and to make Real Peace Now a reality!

Shabbat shalom.

Ezra S. Shanken

CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver