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On today's episode, I'm excited to introduce Bernie M. Farber, an Ottawa-born writer, commentator, and tireless social activist. Bernie's work spans across multiple causes, rooted deeply in his personal history as the son of a Holocaust survivor. He's the former CEO of both the Canadian Jewish Congress and Veahavta, the Canadian Jewish humanitarian and relief committee. His commitment to human rights and social justice has seen him testify as an expert witness on hate crime, as well as serve as the CEO of the Mosaic Institute, a Canadian NGO dedicated to promoting pluralism, peace, and conflict resolution internationally. Bernie has also worked with the Paloma Foundation, focusing on homeless youth shelters, and his insights on human and civil rights have appeared in major outlets like the Huffington Post and the Canadian Jewish News. From 2018 to 2023, he chaired the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and now serves as its founding chair emeritus. Bernie's drive for activism is rooted in a simple yet profound lesson from his father, a Holocaust survivor, who told him to “open a mouth” in the fight for freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, Bernie Farber.
On today's episode, I'm excited to introduce Bernie M. Farber, an Ottawa-born writer, commentator, and tireless social activist. Bernie's work spans across multiple causes, rooted deeply in his personal history as the son of a Holocaust survivor. He's the former CEO of both the Canadian Jewish Congress and Veahavta, the Canadian Jewish humanitarian and relief committee. His commitment to human rights and social justice has seen him testify as an expert witness on hate crime, as well as serve as the CEO of the Mosaic Institute, a Canadian NGO dedicated to promoting pluralism, peace, and conflict resolution internationally. Bernie has also worked with the Paloma Foundation, focusing on homeless youth shelters, and his insights on human and civil rights have appeared in major outlets like the Huffington Post and the Canadian Jewish News. From 2018 to 2023, he chaired the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, and now serves as its founding chair emeritus. Bernie's drive for activism is rooted in a simple yet profound lesson from his father, a Holocaust survivor, who told him to “open a mouth” in the fight for freedom. Ladies and gentlemen, Bernie Farber.
Bernie Farber helped create the Canadian Anti-Hate Network (CAHN) in 2018, and sat as its founding chair until shortly after Oct. 7, 2023. The organization—which investigates, publicizes and works with journalists to report on hateful far-right extremist groups—was infamously silent in the weeks following the Hamas slaughter and kidnapping of 1,200 people in Israel, which sparked waves of antisemitic acts across Canada. It was around that time that Farber quietly stepped down as chair. Amid the tension and silence, many wondered how correlated the two events were. Now, in a candid conversation with his old friend (and fellow progressive Jew) Ralph Benmergui on Not That Kind of Rabbi, Farber opens up about the real reason why he left CAHN. Further on, he reflects on decades of work educating non-Jewish communities about antisemitism and traces how progressive Jews and Zionists—once embraced and even looked up to by other minority and community organizations—came to be challenged and excluded from left-wing circles. Credits Not That Kind of Rabbi is hosted by Ralph Benmergui and produced by Michael Fraiman. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To support The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt, please consider a monthly donation by clicking here.
Host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with The Washington Post's White House Bureau Chief Toluse "Tolu" Olorunnipa about what Donald Trump's guilty verdict could mean in this election year, the Canadian Anti-Hate Network's Bernie Farber reflects on recent attacks at Canadian Jewish institutions, we present Chattopadhyay's on-stage conversation with former Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron about his storied career, and we play another round of our monthly brain game That's Puzzling!
The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: Depending on the vehicles you drive, you may pay 37% more than average insurance costs due to thefts. Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested Thursday that immigrants were responsible for shooting at a Jewish girls' elementary school in North York, despite police saying they have little information on the suspects. Niagara police say they've solved a 25-year-old murder using DNA and genetic genealogy connecting the death of a Toronto woman to a suspect from Northern Ontario. Coming to the Westdale Theatre on June 9, "an Indigenous collaboration that is not to be missed!" Featuring Sultans of String, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk, Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan), and Shannon Thunderbird, and a multimedia extravaganza featuring Northern Cree, Duke Redbird, Inuit singers and more in a one-of-a-kind show! Signs of slowing economic growth could set up “fireworks” at the Bank of Canada's interest rate decision next week, one economist says, as odds rise for the first rate cut of the cycle. The Trump hush-money verdict is in, and Donald Trump is lashing out. Some special events will be taking place in the night sky over the next few days! It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Lorraine Sommerfeld, columnist with Driving.ca and the Hamilton Spectator. Franco Franco Terrazzano, Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Federal Director. Elissa Freeman, PR and Pop Culture Expert. Staff Sergeant Andrew Knevel, Niagara Regional Police Service, oversees Homicide and Major Crime. Chris McKhool, of the Sultans of String; Canadian violinist, producer, guitarist, composer, and singer-songwriter. Shannon Thunderbird, Coast Tsimshian First Nations singer-songwriter, speaker, educator, recording artist, playwright, and author. Colin Mang, assistant professor of Economics, at McMaster University; an expert on fiscal policy, labour economics, and the cost-of-living. Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University. Bernie Farber, Chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. Dr. Elaina Hyde, Director Allan I Carswell Observatory, Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University. Host – Scott Thompson Content Producer – William Erskine Technical/Podcast Producer – Tom McKay Podcast Co-Producer – Ben Straughan News Anchor – Dave Woodard & Jen McQueen Want to keep up with what happened in Hamilton Today? Subscribe to the podcast! https://megaphone.link/CORU8835115919 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On Feb. 26, Canada signalled it is done waiting for internet giants and social media companies to protect children from consuming or being victims of harmful online content. Justice minister Arif Virani introduced Bill C-63, which sets up a new Digital Safety Commission to handle these cases and impose multimillion-dollar fines on social media sites for not complying. For the Jewish community, the new law would also toughen penalties for those who incite hatred, including antisemitism, and promote genocide or Holocaust denial. It's a long-awaited piece of legislation for Jewish advocacy groups like CIJA, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal and B'nai Brith: all have been warning about the dangerous explosion of online hate, saying that it could lead to actual terrorism, especially after Oct. 7. But some critics, including the federal Conservatives, fear the new law may go too far in curbing free speech, and have hinted they will vote against it as the proposed law now makes its way through Parliament. On today's The CJN Daily, we speak with Bernie Farber, who was one of the consultants hired by the government to shape the new legislation, and with professor Michael Geist, an internet law expert from the University of Ottawa, who sees some red flags. What we talked about: Read more about the Ottawa teenager charged in December with a terror-related bomb making plot against Canadian Jews, in The CJN Read how Canadian Jewish leaders reacted to the Canadian government's new Online Harms Bill, in The CJN See the actual Online Harms Act for yourself on the Government of Canada's website and read the accompanying explanation 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.
Bernie Farber, the founder of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, admitted in an X post that the CAHN lacks the “resources” to look into anything other than the “extreme right.” This was his explanation for CAHN's relative silence in the wake of Hamas' attacks on Israel and rampant antisemitism across Canada at pro-Palestine rallies. True North's Andrew Lawton says Farber accidentally said the quiet part out loud, admitting a lot of Jew hatred comes from the left. Also, the media is freaking out over Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's upcoming appearance with Tucker Carlson. Plus, interviews and stories from the Alberta UCP AGM and the ARC Forum in London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: It's Friday the 13th and for Port Dover, that means the community is once again welcoming thousands of motorcyclists to town! Swifties everywhere will be packing into theatres this weekend as the Taylor Swift ‘Eras' tour concert film opens in cinemas. This weekend the federal New Democrats are holding an in-person convention for the first time in five years - and it'll be in Hamilton. What are the local impacts of what we're seeing happening in the Middle East? Toronto police and other police forces, including Hamilton, have said they have increased patrols in various parts of the city. What kinds of conversations should we be having? Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly is travelling to Israel ahead of a possible ground offensive in Gaza following Hamas' deadly attacks last weekend. Hamilton Centre MPP Sarah Jama will remain part of the Opposition caucus after a statement about the conflict in the Middle East that drew criticism. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Amy Martin, Mayor, Norfolk County. Eric Alper, Publicist and music commentator. Jeff Wilmer, chair of the board of directors & volunteer for Kitchener-Waterloo's A Better Tent City. Henry Jacek. Professor of Political Science, McMaster University. Bernie Farber, former CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress, who dealt with Jewish security issues for three decades. Elliot Tepper, Emeritus Professor of Political Science with Carleton University. Bill Brioux, television critic, journalist and author, brioux.tv. Larry DiIanni, former mayor, City of Hamilton. Host – Scott Thompson Content Producer – Lisa Polewski Technical/Podcast Producer – Tom McKay Podcast Co-Producer – Ben Straughan News Anchor – Dave Woodard & Jen McQueen Want to keep up with what happened in Hamilton Today? Subscribe to the podcast! https://megaphone.link/CORU8835115919
On this episode: Guest host Althia Raj talks with Bernie Farber, the founding chair of the anti-hate network, the former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress Last week, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, invited Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old constituent, to come to Ottawa and hear Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address. Rota introduced him in the House as a Ukranian who'd fought the Russians during World War Two and was proud to support the troops again. Hunka received two standing ovations before MPs, journalists and the world realized they were honouring someone who'd pledged allegiance to Hitler and fought with the Nazis. An international crisis erupted with Russia using the incident in its disinformation campaign. Rota was pressured to resign and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered an apology. But is it enough? Our guest today is Bernie Farber, the founding chair of the anti-hate network, the former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress and someone who knows more than most about Canada's history with Nazi war criminals. Audio sources: CPAC This episode was produced by Althia Raj and Sean Pattendon.
The Hamilton Today Podcast with Scott Thompson: CarHacking: how thieves can steal your keys without ever touching them, and get in the driver's seat of your vehicle. Writing in the Globe and Mail, Marsha Lederman expands on how it should have never come to pass that parliament welcomed in a veteran of a Nazi military unit. As disgraceful as it was, why and how could the Liberals possibly try to strike something from the record like the welcoming of a Nazi into parliament? The Speaker of the House has stepped down: this will not be the end of the story for the Liberals and for our government, so what is the fallout? We look at what the Liberals must do to make up for allowing a Yaroslav Hunka, who was a member of the Waffen-SS Nazi military unit, into parliament to be applauded in front of Zelenskyy. And some breaking news with an arrest in relation to a Hamilton school bomb threat. It is all coming up on the Hamilton Today Podcast! Guests: Carmi Levy Technology Analyst & Journalist. Marsha Lederman, Columnist with The Globe and Mail, (former Hamiltonian) and Author of ‘Kiss the Red Stairs: The Holocaust, Once Removed'. Duff Conacher, Co-Founder of Democracy Watch. Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for AffordableEnergy, Former Liberal MP. Sam Routley, PhD Candidate with the Department of Political Science at the University of Western Ontario; Bylines in The National Post, The Conversation and The Hill Times; expertise in Canadian political institutions, political leadership, political culture and Conservatism, and how Canadians relate to the Monarchy. David Goldreich, Professor of Finance with the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at the Univesrity of Toronto. Bernie Farber, Chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. Scott Radley, Host of the Scott Radley Show and Columnist with the Hamilton Spectator. Host – Scott Thompson Content Producer – William Erskine Technical/Podcast Producer – Tom McKay Podcast Co-Producer – Ben Straughan News Anchor – Dave Woodard & Jen McQueen Want to keep up with what happened in Hamilton Today? Subscribe to the podcast! https://megaphone.link/CORU8835115919
In 1980, the synagogue in Paris was bombed, killing four and injuring 40 others. Over four decades later, French authorities settled on one suspect, despite the fact that the perpetrators could have been a neo-Nazi group, which had bombed a Jewish site on that same date years earlier. Canadian academic Dr. Hassan Diab was extradited to France to stand trial. He spent 38 months in near solitary confinement in Fleury-Merogis, Europe's biggest maximum security prison, while the French magistrates investigated his case. The two French judges–experts in cases of terrorism–dismissed the case in 2018. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared that Dr, Hassan should never have had to suffer.Nevertheless, French prosecutors appealed the case, and in 2023 Hassan Diab was convicted in absentia for this unsolved crime. Former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, Alex Neva, described the prosecution of Hassan Diab as, “surreal and disgraceful.” Diab was sentenced to life, despite all of the evidence indicating that he could not possibly have committed it. He is currently facing re-extradition from Canada to France.In this episode on Speaking Out of Place podcast Professor David Palumbo-Liu and Azeezah Kanji talk with Dr. Hassan Diab, as well as Michelle Weinroth, a long-term member of the Hassan Diab Support Committee, and Bernie Farber, former head of Canadian Jewish Congress who previously advocated for the extradition of Dr. Diab, but now has become one of his supporters.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comhttps://twitter.com/palumboliu?s=20www.instagram.com/speaking_out_of_place
In 1980, a synagogue in Paris was bombed, killing four and injuring 40 others. Thirty-four years later, French authorities settled on one suspect--Hassan Diab. This, despite the fact that it is likely that the bombing was undertaken by a neo-Nazi group, commemorating the anniversary of another one of its anti-semitic attacks. After being extradited from Canada to France in 2014, Diab was arrested and held in detention. In 2018, two of the top anti-terrorist judges in France dismissed the case, and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau publicly decried this miscarriage of justice.Nevertheless, the French prosecutors appealed the decision, and in 2023 Canadian academic Dr. Hassan Diab was convicted in absentia for this unsolved crime. The two judges who had exonerated him in 2018 testified on Diab's behalf. Former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, Alex Neva, has described the prosecution of Hassan Diab as, “surreal and disgraceful.”Diab has been sentenced to life despite all of the evidence indicating that he could not possibly have committed it. He is currently facing re- extradition from Canada to France. Today we have with us Dr. Hassan Diab, as well as Michelle Weinroth, a long-term member of the Hassan Diab Support Committee, and Bernie Farber, former head of Canadian Jewish Congress who previously advocated for the extradition of Dr. Diab, but now has become one of his supporters. Dr. Hassan Diab is a Canadian citizen and sociology professor who lives in Ottawa. Up until October, 2007, Hassan enjoyed an engaged and productive public life, including teaching, publishing research, and traveling internationally.Bernie Farber is the Founding Chair of the Canadian AntiHate Network. His career spans more than three decades focusing on human rights, diversity, countering antisemitism and extremism. His expertise has been recognized by Canadian Courts, media and law enforcement. His efforts have been documented in numerous Canadian human rights publications, books, films, newspapers and magazines. He is widely respected as a CEO in the not-for-profit world best known internationally as the former CEO of Canadian Jewish Congress. He is a published author and a newspaper columnist. He is a a recipient of numerous medals and awards for his human rights work. In his retirement he is a consultant on antisemitism and extremism to Canadian School Boards and police services, he sits as an advisor to Human Rights Watch Canada and the Mosaic Institute and Chairs the Rights and Ethics Committee of Community Living Toronto.Michelle Weinroth is a writer and teacher living in Ottawa. She taught English literature at the University of Ottawa and at Carleton University for a decade. Her area of specialization is the workings of propaganda in 19th- and 20th-century fiction and non-fiction. Over the past seven years, she has taken a special interest in the Hassan Diab Affair.
Can you focus?...The idea of the ArriveCan App may stay put. Will it ever work?...Bernie Farber from the Anti-Hate Network talks about surrendering his voting rights...
We take a look at some of the recent recommendations from an expert panel that is now advising the federal government on how to craft legislation to regulate the internet. Then John brings us up to date on many of the Justice Centre's current cases including; dropped tickets in excess of $100,000 in B.C., a new lawsuit against the military's vaccine mandate, and a student filing a human rights complaint against his polytechnic for their refusal to recognize his vaccine religious exemption.CTV, May 11, 2022: Advisory panel calls for Liberals' online hate law to cover Airbnb, video gamesThe Post Millennial, Mar 30, 2022: Trudeau Liberals' 'expert advisory group on online safety' includes known misinformation spreader Bernie FarberCBC, Dec 24, 2019: Revenge porn and sext crimes: Canada sees more than 5,000 police cases as law marks 5 yearsCTV, May 12, 2022: 'Anger that I haven't seen before': Singh harassment incident puts renewed spotlight on politicians' securityThe Canadian Press via MSN, May 2, 2022: Hate-motivated crimes up 22 per cent annually in Toronto, police sayCBC via MSN, May 4, 2022: A spike in hate-motivated crimes in Edmonton has police urging people to report all instances of hateJustice Centre, May 3, 2022: Mandatory vaccine policy creates shortage of volunteer firefightersJustice Centre, May 4, 2022: Justice Centre retains prominent trial lawyer to defend soldiers who refuse Covid vaccineJustice Centre, May 5, 2022: Crown drops ticket against woman who refused PCR test due to medical conditionJustice Centre, May 9, 2022: Student expelled for declining Covid injection, files human rights complaint against NAITJustice Centre, May 10, 2022: Alberta Court rules protests were never banned by Public Health OrdersJustice Centre, May 11, 2022: Crown drops another 24 tickets against three BC pastors who refused to shutter churchesJustice Centre, May 12, 2022: Date set for Federal Court to hear challenge to travel ban in SeptemberTheme Music "Carpay Diem" by Dave StevensSupport the show
One of Canada's top anti-hate experts says political leaders should have condemned a weekend protest in Fredericton immediately. Jeanne Armstrong talks to Bernie Farber, chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.
As the pandemic drags on and more stringent vaccine mandates come into effect, the Holocaust has increasingly become a point of comparison for some anti-vaccination protesters. We discuss hate, history and a disturbing rise in antisemitism amid COVID-19 with Bernie Farber, chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network; and Dara Horn, author of People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present.
Kelly speaks with Bernie Farber, Chair of the Canadian Anti-Hate Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Canadian Anti-Hate Network chair Bernie Farber discusses far-right extremism in Canada. BC's Representative for Children and Youth Jennifer Charlesworth discusses her new report on involuntary mental health care. Regional Animal Protection Society president Fern Edmonds discusses whether to keep your cat indoors or let it roam free outside.
Kelly talks to Bernie Farber about Trump's apparent wink to the Proud Boys. She get's the skinny on a a reported raise for the head of Metrolinx. A leaked memo seems to suggest that Ontario is capping the amount of COVID tests it does, Kelly breaks it down with Amir Attaran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Doctor Gregory Brown, of Carleton University, joined Scott to discuss the different interpretations of ‘defunding’ and the feasibility of ‘defunding’ the police. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s Police Services Board is discussing a motion brought forward by Councillor Chad Collins that suggests a 20% spending cut for the HPS. Guest: Dr. Gregory R. (Greg) Brown, Research Professor (Adjunct) & Instructor, Department of Sociology & Anthropology & Department of Law & Legal Studies, Carleton University - People are toppling the statues of colonial figures and others around the world. Meanwhile a Toronto man has launched a petition that asks city council to rename Dundas Street. Bernie Farber joined Scott to discuss what can be done with landmarks that glorify historical figures with ties to colonial racism and streets with their own problematic associations. Guest: Bernie Farber, Chair of the Canadian Anti-hate network, - The federal parties are being urged to come up with a solution for CERB as the latest emergency aid bill sits in limbo. Prime Minister Trudeau blames the Conservative party. Guest: Daniel Béland, Professor; Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC), McGill University
Bernie Farber, Chair Canadian Anti-Hate Network, human rights & social justice consultant; newspaper columnist talks about Auschwitz 75 years later.
Bernie Farber, Chair Canadian AntiHate Network, talks about Canada adding neo-Nazi groups Blood & Honour, Combat 18 to list of terror organizations
Alan is back from the long weekend and is thinking about summer. After a little recap of news from the weekend, Alan dives into levels in Lake Ontario with Global's Anthony Farnell, and talks new ferry service with Alex Nosal of Otter Guy. He reviews the IPSOS poll on racism in Canada with Bernie Farber, Chair of the Canadian Anti-hate network. And then spends some time remembering beloved Toronto local Dave "Bookie" Bookman with 102.1 The Edge's Alan Cross.
Bernie Farber is a well known human rights activist, a writer and Jewish leader. He has courageously challenged white supremacists and worked along side Native Canadians through his partnership with philanthropist, Michael Dan. Bernie's motivation to: chair Ve'ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian & Relief Committee, teach local police ways and means of dealing with hate crimes, work at Canadian Jewish Congress from 1984-2011, and ultimately become its CEO, and so much more, stems from a lessons in life he was taught by his father Max RIP, a Holocaust survivor and only remaining Jew from his village. His Dad, who owned a food store minutes away from Parliament in Ottawa, told Bernie, if he wanted to change things in this world, fix it, he'd have to "open a mouth". Open a mouth Bernie did. His opinions and thoughts about fighting anti-Semitism can be read in articles he's penned for The New York Times, Toronto Star, Huffington Post, NOW Magazine, Canadian Jewish News and many more publications. He has acted as an expert witness in cases against Holocaust deniers and led the Paloma Foundation, an organization that worked with youth and homeless shelters and ran for the Liberal party in 2011 . Bernie's accomplishments go on and on. Listen to episode 10 of Hatradio! and learn about Bernie's awesome recipe for chicken. Hear about his friendship and work with Larry Tenenbaum and former Canadian prime minister, Paul Martin. Hear Bernie sing a song about peace originally sung by Joan Baez. Discover the hit-list Bernie was on and how he was ultimately saved by a CSIS mole. And be privy to his feelings about his beautiful wife, kids and family, some of whom perished in the Holocaust. "Open a Mouth" is one of those podcasts you don't want to miss. It's about one of Canada's leading Jewish leaders who just never keeps quiet. Hatradio! The show that schmoozes.
In this teaser clip from our other podcast Family Compact, Geoff speaks with media commentator, activist and Anti-Hate Canada Chair Bernie Farber about the history of anti-Semitism in Canada and how it's evolved over time. This clip is about Bernie's personal experience growing up with anti-Semitism in Ottawa, Canada.Show NotesListen to the episode on iTunesListen on other podcast networks
But in related news, the SPLC has given a grant to a Canadian colony, run by notorious hucksters Evan Balgord and Bernie Farber, called the "Canadian Anti-Hate Network”. And I noticed, just this weekend, that Evan Balgord signed up as a premium member of The Rebel. GUESTS Candice Malcom and Professor Ian Black.
We spoke with Bernie Farber (former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress) about his recent role in helping uncover the truth about Ayman Elkasrawy, a Toronto Imam fired from his job due to false accusations of Anti-Semitism. We talked about the uneven relationship between Jewish and Muslim communities in Canada, the rise of the far-right, and how mainstream Jewish groups no longer understand what Anti-Semitism really means. Show Notes: https://www.treyfpodcast.com/2017/11/19/short-bernie-farber/
On this episode, we focused on the final days of the Canadian Jewish Congress. We spoke with Bernie Farber (former CEO of the CJC) & Dan Freeman-Maloy (Jewish academic, writer, and activist) about the CJC's history, how the Jewish Federations replaced it with CIJA (an Israel advocacy group), and what this means for our present moment. Show Notes: https://www.treyfpodcast.com/2017/05/25/29-the-destruction-of-the-canadian-jewish-congress/
Friday is Donald Trump
Sometime in the 1990's I received a long letter from a teacher named Alex Lawson, asking me to consider doing an Ideas series on the state of education. The letter impressed me by its sincerity, and by the sense of urgency its author clearly felt, but I found the idea somewhat daunting. The subject inspires such endless controversy, and such passion, that I could immediately picture the brickbats flying by my ears. I also worried that my views were too remote from the mainstream to allow me to treat the subject fairly. My three younger children, to that point, had not attended school, and my reading and inclination had made me more interested in de-schooling than in the issues then vexing the school and university systems, which I tended to see as artefacts of obsolete structures. Nevertheless Alex and I kept in touch, and I gradually became able to pictures the pathways such a series might open up. Thinking of it as a set of "debates" or discussions, without getting too stuck on a tediously pro and con dialectical structure, allowed me to reach out very widely and include the heretics with the believers. The series was broadcast, in fifteen parts, 1998 and 1999. I re-listened to it recently, and I think it holds me pretty well. There are a few anachronisms, but my dominant impression was plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Alex Lawson, whose ardour and persistence inspired the whole thing, appears in the third programme of the set. De-schooling gets its day in programmes seven through nine.This series Inspired a letter I have never forgotten, from a retired military man in rural New Brunswick, who wrote to me afterwards that I had "performed a noble service for our country." I was touched, not only that he saw nobility in what I had done, but that he could see that I had attempted to open up the question of education and provide a curiculum for its study rather than trying to foreclose or settle it.The series had a large cast of characters whom I have listed below.Part One, The Demand for Reform: Sarah Martin, Maureen Somers, Jack Granatstein, Andrew Nikiforuk, Heather Jane RobertsonPart Two, A New Curriculum: E.D. Hirsch, Neil PostmanPart Three, Don’t Shoot the Teacher: Alex Lawson, Daniel Ferri, Andy HargreavesPart Four, School Reform in the U.S.: Deborah Meier, Ted SizerPart Five, Reading in an Electronic Age, Carl Bereiter, Deborrah Howes, Frank Smith, David SolwayPart Six, Schooling and Technology: Bob Davis, Marita Moll, Carl BereiterPart Seven, Deschooling Society: Paul Goodman, Ivan Illich, John HoltPart Eight, Deschooling Today: John Holt, Susannah Sheffer, Chris MercoglianoPart Nine, Dumbing Us Down: Frank Smith, John Taylor GattoPart Ten, Virtues or Values: Edward Andrew, Peter Emberley, Iain BensonPart Eleven, Common Culture, Multi-Culture: Charles Taylor, Bernie Farber, Bob DavisPart Twelve, The Case for School Choice: Mark Holmes, Adrian Guldemond, Joe Nathan, Andy Hargreaves, Heather Jane RobertsonPart Thirteen, Trials of the University: Jack Granatstein, Paul Axelrod, Michael Higgins, Peter EmberleyPart Fourteen, On Liberal Studies: Clifford Orwin, Leah Bradshaw, Peter EmberleyPart Fifteen, Teaching the Conflicts: Martha Nussbaum, Gerald Graff