Toronto Election Forum on Antisemitism Proceeds Without Mayor Olivia Chow

In a recent event held at Adath Israel Congregation in North York, Toronto, two mayoral candidates, Brad Bradford and Chris Alexander, outlined their strategies to address antisemitism in the city. The forum, originally intended as a mayoral debate, took place on September 8, with Mayor Olivia Chow notably absent. Chow declined the invitation to participate, citing her campaign’s launch on September 9 as the reason for her absence. Her campaign emphasized her consistent condemnation of antisemitism and her efforts to enhance community safety through increased police presence and infrastructure improvements.

The event was organized by Jewish Lawyers of Canada, a group active for about two years, and was moderated by Jesse Brown, publisher of Canadaland. Brown highlighted the rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023, which included a series of shootings and vandalism targeting Jewish synagogues, schools, and businesses. Notably, Kehillat Shaarei Torah synagogue has been vandalized ten times since that date.

Statistics from the Toronto Police Service indicate a significant number of religiously motivated incidents in 2025, with 82% targeting the Jewish community. Despite Jews making up approximately 3% of Toronto’s population, they have been disproportionately affected by these incidents.

The forum underscored the urgent need for effective measures to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety of Jewish residents. As the city approaches its municipal elections on October 26, the candidates’ plans to address these issues are of paramount importance. In the spirit of Romans 12:18, which calls for peace with all, the community seeks solutions that foster safety and harmony.

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