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Mayor Olivia Chow’s new support for Toronto’s Jewish community is?A: Better late than never.B: A sign that there is an election in 18 days.C: The most cynical and hypocritical move by a politician in years.D: All of the above.She may have overseen the worst era of antisemitism in Toronto’s history and skipped the first anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 slaughter of more than 1,200 Jews, and the kidnapping of 251, but there was Mayor Chow in the first row of a Toronto synagogue Tuesday night.
Mayor in front row
At Beth Tzedec Congregation synagogue, Chow slipped in for the third anniversary service to remember the victims of the Hamas terror attack at the Gaze/Israel border, which included the savage slaying of eight Canadians.She was seated between Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw in a row that also included York Regional Police Chief Paolo Da Silva, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) CEO Noah Shack, Adam Minsky, president and CEO, of the United Jewish Appeal (UJA) and its Toronto chair Ken Tanenbaum.Chow may not have attended the first anniversary in 2024, but is the mayor all in on supporting the plight of Toronto Jews now? This come-to-Israel moment comes less than three weeks out from the Oct. 26 election in which she has a slight lead in the polls on her chief rival, Councillor Brad Bradford, who has been steadfast in his support and actions on the evil growth of antisemitism.
Will public notice?
Still, on the third anniversary of the heinous murder spree, Chow was expressing her full support for the Jewish community – saying people must ensure the “safety of Jewish Torontonians and condemn the rising antisemitism. We all must be dedicated to confronting hate in all its forms and building a caring city for everyone.”The truth is that it’s not safe for Jews now. When their synagogues, schools, businesses and homes are all shot up and/or vandalized, her narrative rings hollow.Is anybody fooled by this? Certainly, many see through it.In a recent speech about the plight of Toronto, Councillor James Pasternak accurately said: “Our community has been under siege for almost three years. We have seen and felt the darkness: gunshots in the night; Torontonians hating each other; fighting each other; mobs storming Jewish-owned stores; gunmen shooting up synagogues, swarming Jewish businesses, shooting the U.S. consulate; storming shopping malls and Jewish-owned businesses; blocking ambulance routes, assaulting police; mezuzahs ripped off doors; swastikas on places of worship; vandalism, masked hooligans letting off smoke bombs. We have mob rule in a city that is heading toward the abyss. I don’t recognize the city.”How can Chow show her face anywhere, let alone at a synagogue? She did not look comfortable. And when she was delivering her Oct. 7 message at a podium in front of TV cameras, it was poignant that she actually looked like she was reading a forced and scripted message like she was a hostage.
Chow suddenly with Jews?
But understanding power and how to keep it, Chow is pushing forward on her new, found interest in Toronto’s Jews.And has even put out new campaign literature.“The Jewish community has the right to practice their faith and culture, and to live their day-to-day lives without fear, intimidation or violence. Mayor Olivia Chow stands firmly against antisemitism,” says the message.“Toronto is an important global centre of Jewish cultural life. As we have seen repeatedly, antisemitic incidents increase as international events unfold. It is never acceptable to target the Jewish community. And it is appalling that Jewish families face fear when attending synagogue and community centres, and when sending their kids to school and childcare.”The campaign screed added: “Mayor Chow has been clear: antisemitism is a scourge. Those that commit hate crimes must be brought to justice” and “over the past three years, Mayor Chow has invested City resources in safety measures to support the Jewish community and keep people safe” and “has funded and supports the Toronto Police Service’s work establishing command posts and increasing round-the-clock police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods, near Jewish schools, places of worship and other community spaces.”Here’s another multiple-choice:A: Mayor Chow thinks you are stupid?B: Mayor Chow thinks you are stupid?C: Mayor Chow thinks you are stupid?D: All of the above?
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