The CJN Podcasts

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Channel • 9 Shows

Judaism

Judaism

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Judaism

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Society & Culture

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Judaism

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11/09/2023

On the ground of Morocco’s earthquake, a Canadian survives—while Montreal’s community mobilizes

As rescue efforts continue in Morocco to find survivors of Friday’s powerful earthquake, the disaster is also affecting Canada’s significant community of Moroccan Jews—especially those based in Montreal. As of Sunday night, more than 2,100 people were killed in the 6.8-magnitude quake, while at least 2,400 have been seriously injured. The quake hit hardest in the remote villages of the Atlas Mountains, southeast of Marrakesh, although it was also felt as far as Casablanca to the north. Before Canadian Jewish relief efforts kick into high gear Monday, _The CJN Daily _caught up with a young engineer from Toronto who was staying in Marrakesh when the quake hit. Seth Davis, 25, and his girlfriend, count themselves lucky to be unscathed. They were set to make their way home to Canada on Monday. Davis joins host Ellin Bessner on _The CJN Daily _to describe what he saw. After that, you’ll hear from Montrealers Avraham Elarar, president of the Canadian Sephardi Federation, and Yair Szlak, CEO of Montreal’s Federation CJA, for local reactions. What we talked about To donate funds and help the Moroccan earthquake victims through Federation CJA, click here Learn more about the history of the Jews of Morocco in a piece Elarar wrote in The CJN in 2019 Read more about the Canadian Sephardi Federation from their website Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our intern is Ashok Lamichhane, and our theme music by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here.

11/09/2023

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27 min
14/01/2025

Pending hostage release deal will be 'excruciating and painful' for everyone, says Israeli Ambassador to Canada

Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, is actively monitoring the hourly reports coming out of the Middle East and Washington about negotiations for a deal that would usher in a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, paving the way for a gradual release of dozens of Israeli hostages (in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody). According to U.S. and Israeli news sources, Hamas prepared a list of about 33 hostages they are prepared to release. They would start with civilians before handing over female soldiers and others. Moed fervently hopes that the Bibas children, Kfir and Ariel, and their parents will be among the first to be freed after a captivity that’s lasted 465 days. But while the negotiations are still happening, Moed calls the process “excruciating” and “painful” for the hostages families, as the release may be joyful—but also possibly heartbreaking. In this special evening edition of The CJN Daily, Moed joins to discuss the possible outcomes of this rapidly evolving story—as well as separate issues that have kept him busy while waiting. His office has been closely monitoring the case of Hassan Diab, a professor in Ottawa who was convicted of terrorism for bombing a synagogue in Paris that resulted in the deaths of four people (including the mother of Moed’s personal friend); and the controversial Islamist conference organized by Hizb ut-Tahrir Canada, slated for this weekend until its recent cancellation. What we talked about: Read more about the Israeli Ambassador’s views on Canada’s blocking arms sales to Israel, funding UNRWA, and his trip to Israel in March 2024 with Melanie Joey and Ya’ara Saks, in The CJN. Iddo Moed’s first interview with The CJN Daily on Oct. 8, 2023 just hours after the deadly Hamas attack and just a few days since arriving to take the diplomatic post Judih Weinstein Haggai confirmed dead, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Dov Beck-Levine Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to The CJN Daily (Not sure how? Click here)

14/01/2025

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28 min
08/09/2022

For the first time ever, Jewish RCMP officers can now wear kippot on duty

While RCMP commissioner Brenda Lucki has been in the hot seat all summer, facing an inquiry into the mass shooting that struck Nova Scotia in 2020, she's also been quietly working on another project with a huge impact on Canadian Jews. For the first time in the history of the RCMP, Jewish members and cadets will be permitted to wear a kippah while on duty. It began with a request—which was denied—from a Jewish officer in B.C. to wear the Jewish head covering. B'nai Brith's human rights arm got involved, snowballing into an official move by the federal police to match what they'd already done for turbans and hijabs: pay for the design and creation of a regulation RCMP kippah. While we won't see it for a while, in the interim, Jewish staff can bring their own. Marvin Rotrand, the director of B'nai Brith Canada's League for Human Rights, joins to discuss what went on behind the scenes of this groundbreaking move for Canada's national police. What we talked about: Read about how police forces in Ontario and Vancouver agreed to allow officers to wear kippot Read about Toronto's new antisemitism program Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Production assistance by Gabrielle Nadler and YuZhu Mou. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To learn how to support the show by subscribing to this podcast, please watch this video.

08/09/2022

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13 min
19/05/2021

Aviva Chernick on the warmth of London, Ont.

Aviva Chernick is an award-winning queer Jewish artist living in Toronto. But she didn't grow up there: Aviva hails from the relatively small but still-strong Jewish community of London, Ontario. Despite having only around 2,000 Jewish residents, London has three synagogues, vibrant programming and a tight-knit community filled with eager volunteers. Aviva chats about all these aspects, plus the stark differences between being Jewish in London and Toronto. Related links: Listen to Aviva's music and learn more about her at her website, avivachernick.com. Learn what's happening in London's Jewish community at jewishlondon.ca Yehupetzville is hosted by Ralph Benmergui. Michael Fraiman is the producer and editor. Our music was arranged by Louis Simão and performed by Louis Simão and Jacob Gorzhaltsan. This show is a member of The CJN Podcast Network—find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.

19/05/2021

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35 min
22/02/2022

Which Canadian campuses are safest for Jews? Anywhere outside Toronto

How widespread is antisemitism and anti-Zionism on Canadian campuses? A new report, commissioned by the Abraham Global Peace Initiative, found nearly 100 reported instances last year. The authors—Neil Orlowsky from York University and Dana Fischman from Carleton University—looked at media articles, social media posts, student unions, faculty associations and hate crime reports from across the country to determine which campus was friendliest—and which was the most uncomfortable—for Jewish students. The worst offenders: York and the University of Toronto. The report comes out in the wake of a recent U of T student union vote to support boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel—as well as, paradoxically, a pledge by the school's administration to crack down on antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Orlowsky calls the U of T's pledge nothing more than "virtue signalling". He joins to discuss the report's findings and what steps schools can take. What we talked about: Read the report at agpiworld.com/campus Watch the video of the goldfish "driving" its tank at bgu.ac.il (and learn about the webinar on Facebook) Read "University of Toronto’s plan to tackle antisemitism gets a cool response from Jewish advocacy groups" at thecjn.ca Listen to The CJN Daily episode about the birth of the AGPI, "Why Avi Benlolo thinks Canada needs a new organization to fight antisemitism", at thecjn.ca Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network; find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.

22/02/2022

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14/02/2023

An insider’s look at Aroma Espresso Bar’s troubles in Toronto

Philip Kuntz considers himself the first-ever customer of Aroma Espresso Bar’s first-ever Canadian coffee outlet. When the Aroma location opened in 2007 at 500 Bloor Street West in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, Kuntz drank the very first cuppa. For a dozen years, the Ontario musician and artist made that Aroma outlet part of his daily routine–– holding court for hours at the now-closed store. (It was shuttered suddenly in October, 2019.) Kuntz has been watching the Aroma brand’s venture in Canada unfold, including _The CJN’_s recent coverage of the outstanding $10 million dollar legal dispute between the original Canadian franchisor and head office in Israel. He joins The CJN Daily to offer his thoughts about what’s gone wrong, and he even recites a limerick he composed in Aroma’s honour. What we talked about: Hear Part 1 of The CJN’s investigation into the Aroma Espresso Bar multi-million- dollar lawsuit with the Canadian branch on The CJN Daily Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here. tktk tktk Credits T

14/02/2023

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17 min
26/02/2024

Two Toronto Raptors fans think their ‘Free Our Hostages’ hoodie should be exempt from political messages ban

Gary Grill and Leora Shemesh want an apology from the owners of the Toronto Raptors basketball team, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. On Feb. 22, security at Scotiabank Arena asked Grill to remove his black-and-white “Free Our Hostages” sweatshirt while the two were watching the Raptors play the Brooklyn Nets at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The reason given? Because it was “political”. On principle, Grill chose to leave, rather than remove his hoodie–a gift from Shemesh. Now the friends, who are both criminal defence lawyers, are calling the act discrimination—even though MLSE’s website clearly prohibits fans having “signs, symbols or images for commercial or political purposes”. Despite the longstanding ban, which is common among sports arenas and not unique to Toronto, Grill and Shemesh say they could take legal action. Did they know about the rule but choose to ignore it? Was this a stunt to provoke attention to the plight of the 140 hostages still held in captivity by Hamas? Or was it a genuinely unexpected brush with an overzealous security officer? Grill and Shemesh join _The CJN Daily _to explain what happened, why they went public afterword, and whether this is good for the Jews. Related links Read MLSE's code of conduct Why Phoebe Maltz Bovy was triggered by Kiana Ledé wearing a Keffiyeh to sing the U.S. national anthem at the NHL All-Star game, in The CJN Why the Toronto Raptors never went on their promised trip to Israel after winning the NBA championship in 2019, in The CJN Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here. Hear why The CJN is important to me.

26/02/2024

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26 min
27/01/2022

Why Emma Cunningham quit the Ontario NDP over antisemitism

Emma Cunningham has been a volunteer with the New Democratic Party for several years, in several elections, at several levels. Even though she personally feels a little further left than the party at large, she knew she could find a home with the NDP as a progressive Jew. Until last week. When the Ontario NDP nominated Steve Parish—the former mayor of Ajax, who lobbied to keep a local street named after a Nazi officer—to run in the upcoming provincial election, that was the last straw for Cunningham. Despite being the president of a neighbouring NDP riding association, she quit, taking to Twitter to call out the party for what she called "so many antisemitic incidents" she's encountered over the years. While Parish has since apologized for offending Jewish people in Ontario and beyond, and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath told The CJN she's working to stamp out antisemitism, that’s not good enough for Cunningham. She joins today to explain why. What we talked about: Read "Ontario NDP under fire for nominating Steve Parish, the former Ajax mayor who supported naming a street after a Nazi officer" at thecjn.ca Watch the British Pathé video to learn more about Cpt. Hans Langsdorff on YouTube Watch the CBC Manitoba interview with Belle Jarniewski about the new Anne Frank book at cbc.ca Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network; find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.

27/01/2022

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14 min
10/04/2023 · BONUS

Bonjour Chai's second annual Great Canadian Seder episode

The CJN Daily returns Tuesday April 11, 2023 with regular programming but for today, Monday, April 10, we are offering a bonus – for subscribers only: the chance to sit down for the Great Canadian Seder, second edition, brought to you by our colleagues at The CJN podcast Bonjour Chai. Politicians and proletarians, cantors and comics, all coming together to share stories, songs, wisdom and musings from across the country. Hosts Avi Finegold and Phoebe Maltz Bovy were joined at their virtual seder table by: Sami Elmagrehbi Cantor Eric Moses Ellin Bessner Mindy Pollak Ralph Benmergui Rabbi Gila Caine Ophira Eisenberg David Birnbaum Rabbi Adam Stein David Bezmozgis Barbara Kay Jon Kay Jess Salamon Yael Halevi-Wise David Sklar and Ilana Zackon The Menschwarmers Marc Gold Rabbi Ilana Krygier Lapides Oro Librowicz David Abitbol Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. Support the show by subscribing to this podcast or donating to The CJN. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

10/04/2023 · Bonus

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1hr 25min
17/09/2024

Arnie Aberman will return his honorary UofT degree over the school’s handling of antisemitism

Dr. Arnie Aberman received his honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Toronto in June 2015. He is one of more than 1,500 people who have received honorary degrees from UofT since the school began the tradition in 1850, but Aberman believes he is the first and only person to give it back—as his symbolic form of protest against rising antisemitism on campus and his anger at how his former employer is failing to keep students safe, be they Jews or non-Jews. Aberman actually has three other honorary PhDs from other universities, plus an Order of Canada for his contributions to the medical field. But UofT’s award was special, because it came after an illustrious career in which Aberman held just about every top post at the institution’s medical school over the past 30 years: chair of medicine, dean of medicine and chief of medicine at hospitals in Toronto, including Mount Sinai, Sunnybrook, Princess Margaret, Toronto General and Toronto Western. But the retired physician, 80, no longer wants anything to do with UofT's degree, after he watched the pro-Palestine encampment remain up for two months on campus—just steps away from the medical building. Aberman has now informed UofT’s president of his intention to return the honorary degree in the coming days. Aberman joins this episode of The CJN Daily to explain his decision and what he hopes will happen next. What we talked about Read more on U of T Jewish doctors boycotting their university in protest of the school’s handling of rising antisemitism and anti-Israel actions on campus, in The CJN. Learn why an Ontario court ordered the U of T encampment dismantled on July 2, 2024, in on July 2, 2024, in The CJN. Hear why UBC medical professor Dr. Ted Rosenberg quit after 30 years because of his university’s handling of antisemitism after Oct. 7, in The CJN. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Dov Beck-Levine Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to The CJN Daily (Not sure how? Click here)

17/09/2024

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19 min

News, views and perspectives on Jewish life through a Canadian lens.