Meet Our Partners: CIJA

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that undertakes a multifaceted mandate to combat antisemitism and discrimination, educate Canadians about Israel and its centrality to Jewish identity, and speak out on a range of public policy issues. Notes CIJA CEO Shimon Fogel, “As the advocacy agent of Canada’s Jewish Federations, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) advocates for public policies that make Canada a better country for all. We believe in Canada’s core values of freedom, democracy, and equality.”

Indeed, CIJA’s portfolio of advocacy and lobby initiatives engages a vibrant and diverse cross-section of Canadian citizens from coast to coast. Collaboration, connection, and mobilization are the hallmarks of CIJA’s work across the nation. Notes Fogel, “We are committed to working with the government and all like-minded religious and ethnic communities to ensure that Canada remains a country where all citizens—irrespective of gender, race, or creed—enjoy equal protections and opportunities.”

Originally founded as the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy - “a non-partisan organization to oversee Jewish community advocacy efforts aimed at improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada and abroad” before being restructured in 2011 in its current form - CIJA boasts a rich history of civic engagement on priorities ranging from access to affordable housing to protecting vulnerable minorities in the Middle East. Connecting Jewish Canadians and their neighbours with opportunities to partner together and speak out on Canadian domestic and international policies on a variety of issues remains the focus of this dynamic non-profit organization. Reflecting on the organization’s diverse portfolio Fogel states: “The Jewish community has played a role in Canadian democracy and the development of our great country for 250 years. Today, Jewish Canadians continue to be deeply engaged in both our community and broader society alike, working alongside Canadians from all communities in everything from public service and civil society to higher education and social justice – among countless other fields.”

CIJA believes that a strong sense of community equips and empowers rather than precludes Canadian citizens from engaging deeply on issues important to the broader public. Canada’s 150^th anniversary presents the perfect opportunity to highlight this reality. Collaboration between faith communities is key. Notes Fogel, “In the lead up to celebrating Canada’s 150^th anniversary, I am particularly interested in challenging the idea that faith communities are only concerned about issues that directly speak to faith and public policy – such as freedom of religion. That’s simply not the case.”

“When you look at the many issues CIJA and the Jewish community is engaged in – from palliative care to disability issues to refugees – we are speaking out and proposing solutions to ensure that public policy does a better job of serving all Canadians and upholding our universal values. I’m proud that we are increasingly engaged on these issues hand-in-hand with our friends in other faith communities.”

As Canadians from coast to coast gather to celebrate and reflect during Canada’s sesquicentennial year, Fogel feels strongly that the need to take stock of the connection between faith, rights, and civic engagement is key. He states, “We often applaud and focus on Canada as a country of unique rights, freedoms, and social harmony – all of which is true and noteworthy. But a mature and authentic sense of what it means to be Canadian requires recognizing that we all must embrace our civic responsibilities alongside our rights.” CIJA’s commitment to collaboration and community innovation rings through loud and clear in Fogel’s compelling observation: “In a world increasingly marked by hyper-individualism and online (rather than in-person) relationships, we need to perhaps rebalance the scales in 2017 by asking ourselves: What can I do, on a tangible level, to help my neighbour? Improve my community? Or make my country a better place?”

Faith in Canada 150 would like to thank CIJA for its generous partnership, without which, this project would not be possible.