Marty York: Canadian Jews are fleeing antisemitism at record rates — and the numbers prove it

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Or sign-in if you have an account.Sam Eskenasi constructed a portable museum to show at schools, but after October 7, it was deemed too political. Photo by Courtesy of Sam EskenasiA former colleague of mine recently sold his home in Montreal and made “aliyah” by moving to Israel with his wife. Aliyah, a Hebrew word, literally means “rise” or “ascent,” but Jewish people define it as immigrating to Israel.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSEnjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. 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Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountMy former colleague isn’t alone. More and more Jews are leaving Canada for Israel. According to the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, Canadian aliyah rose a record 51 per cent in 2025 from 2023. They are leaving this country at record rates and many are relocating to the United States, as well.My ex-colleague, Henry Topas, had been a successful businessman in Montreal and doubled as a cantor in one of the most hallowed synagogues in the city, Beth Tikvah. The synagogue was the target of antisemitic firebombing attacks — twice. Both attacks came after the Hamas terrorist invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Topas, now 75, and his wife had considered making aliyah even before October 7 because he has children and grandchildren in Israel, but the couple became so fed up with Montreal and Canada in general that they moved to the Jewish state permanently last March.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“I became increasingly disillusioned with the level of security for the Jewish community,” Topas told me from his new home in Israel. “It was extremely frustrating.”No guff. Organizations have documented a rise in antisemitism — vile antisemitism, in Canada. Only last week, there were two more shootings outside synagogues in Toronto.“The truth is, the wave of antisemitism in contemporary Canada is not only a matter of fearing for our safety in the synagogue,” said Sam Eskenasi, an Orthodox Jew in Thornhill, Ont., and a father of six. “It has much broader impact on us, as well. It has affected my family and me in the pocketbook. So are we thinking about moving to Israel? Absolutely.”Eskenasi revealed that, before the October 7 rapes and murders in Israel, he had a working relationship with a number of schools and community centres that expressed fondness for his plan to construct a portable museum. It was designed to educate Canadians about what Jewish life was all about, as many had, and still have, no frame of reference.“Once the job was completed, and this was after October 7, the others decided to quietly back out. I was informed that there was reluctance because the museum was perceived by them as too much of a political statement. The museum is now sitting in my garage,” he said.“So I’m sure you can see what I mean. Will I have to worry about my visibly Jewish children getting a fair shake in Canada?”It is a fair question, really.Jewish life in Canada, as we know it, is being systematically targeted by a number of vocal, anti-Israel groups who are campaigning to shut down Jewish schools and camps. And, as the National Post’s Tristin Hopper reported in March, eight Canadian Jewish non-profit organizations have been stripped of their charitable status by the Canada Revenue Agency.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Concerns about bias and political pressure in Canada on Jews are increasing daily. It is unfathomable that Jew hate of this magnitude is taking place in our country in 2026. It is maddening. It is depressing. And, what’s worse, it isn’t only in Canada. Nefesh B’Nefesh, a non-profit organization that facilitates aliyah from Canada and the United States, last year registered a worldwide surge in diaspora Jews planning to move to Israel, with a 70 per cent increase in both countries and a 400 per cent increase in France. Similar spikes occurred in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina.While many Jewish-Canadians feel now is the right time to make aliyah by moving to Israel, countless other Canadian Jews are investigating the idea of moving to the United States, particularly Florida.“I get at least five serious inquiries from Canadian Jews every day,” said Lauren Cohen, a cross-border investment and immigration lawyer who has held virtual town hall events and private counselling sessions for Jewish-Canadians pondering permanent moves to Florida. “The number of inquiries I am getting from Jewish-Canadians is unprecedented.”Author of the book, “Finding Your Silver Lining in the Immigration Process,” Cohen moved from Thornhill to Boca Raton, Fla., 25 years ago. Not only Jews from Canada have been seeking her advice, she said, but non-Jews, as well.“But so many are Jewish because they are looking for a safe place to reside, and Florida, for the most part, is pro-Israel,” she said. “Antisemitism in Canada has been manifesting under the Canadian governments the past 10 years.”Packing up and moving from Canada to Florida, however, is neither easy nor inexpensive.“There unquestionably is culture shock,” she said. “That’s why I’m starting what I’m calling the Canadian Jewish Club, first in Boca Raton and then elsewhere in Florida. I want it to be something like the site Everything Jewish in Canada. I want Canadian Jews to be able to talk to each other online and get comfort from those who have moved to Florida. The process, after all, is not simple.”Marty York is renowned as a former national columnist, associate editor and television personality in Canada. He spent the past decade as chief media officer and communications director for a Canadian Jewish human rights organization.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.