When it comes to preparedness, we’re not ready

Avrum Rosensweig

Every Jewish community should do an internal audit of how it responded to the needs of its members last summer during the war on Gaza, a.k.a. Operation Protective Edge. This is crucial, so that we in the Diaspora, like Israel, understand our strengths and weaknesses, and ensure greater preparedness.    

The following is my own review of the Jewish community of Toronto’s readiness. Each area is marked out of 10.  

1) Public solidarity: A public expression of strength and unity is crucial during any war. Once again, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto organized an indoor event. The place was not filled. There was, indeed, an outdoor rally at Queen’s Park that was well-attended and impressively organized by a grassroots group. The Jewish Defence League was, as always, present at many counter-demonstrations. As long as our mainstream organizations continue to hide from our adversaries, we will lag behind dozens of other Jewish communities who are bravely getting out there and showing our courage.  Score: 4.

2) Hasbarah: The Jewish community was outnumbered greatly on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. While our enemies’ numbers are much higher than ours, we are a bright community, and yet our hasbarah presence was underwhelming. The big question is where were the shul members, social action committees and Israel committees? Where were participants from Israel and Holocaust programming such as Birthright? Where were the youth? Where were the federation and Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs? It was difficult to find them when their leadership in this area was really required. Furthermore, it was frequently difficult to find solid representation from our community on television and radio when a decent sound bite was required. Score: 2. 

3) Security:  One of the issues that truly reflected our community’s preparedness during the Gaza war was how safe did community members feel on a day-to-day basis. As our enemies become more strident and bold, cases of anti- Semitism are spreading on the streets of Toronto and on campus (and, really, across the nation). From my discussions and understanding, there was nothing available for community members who wanted to be accompanied to shul, or for students who felt uncomfortable on campus. Furthermore, not once was I, the CEO of a Jewish non-profit organization, contacted about our plan for our organizational security. We developed a plan for ourselves. Score: 2.

4) Reaching out to friends: I believe we fell terribly short in reaching out to other communities, and the public in general, for their help. Partnering with the non-Jewish community is crucial when Israel is at war. Many non-Jews were supportive of the Jewish community. Some even donned kippot during the war to show their friendship. Where were we? Score: 2    

Every Jewish community must be introspective about its performance during a most challenging and stressful war. My sense was that many Jewish community members across the city felt terribly scared. They were looking for leadership, but little was offered.   

Overall, I would give the Toronto Jewish community a 3 in its response to the war in Gaza. I care deeply about our community, but I can’t muster a more generous score. I know there are pieces I have missed and perhaps was too strict in my marking, but to exaggerate our response adds to the problem.  

I call upon the major organizations, together with synagogues and smaller non-profits, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to organize a comprehensive plan having to do with the issues stated above, should there be another war, God forbid. Not to do so reflects a weakness in leadership. It leaves our community, and others across Canada, hung out to dry. I call for an internal audit to fix this very big problem.

Am Yisrael Chai! The Nation of Israel Lives!