By Marney Blom
“Never again!” is the battle cry of the determined rivals of rising world-wide anti-Semitism who are resolved not to stand idle while hatred and persecution of Jews spirals.
This time around in history, not only Jews are taking a public stand, but so are evangelical Christians. In fact, scores of them showed up at this year’s Canadian March Against Anti-Semitism, held at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
Marcher Clyde Smith said it was important to confront current anti-Semitic trends. “It’s really important that we stand up now before anti-Semitism gets too strong and do what we can to say, “no, it’s not right”.”
Crossroads Christian Communications founder and recently retired host of the television program 100 Huntley Street Reverend David Mainse was also among the marchers. He emphasized the importance of Christians supporting Jews in the fight against anti-Semitism. “We need to stand with the Jewish people and with all people. God is pro-people. So we’re anti-anti-Semitism, (and) we’re pro-people, and that’s why I’m here.”
Some members of the Christian community are voicing their concern using other means. Velocity Toronto Theatre Productions actor and artistic director Stephen Puddle was alarmed by rising anti-Semitism and responded by creating a live dramatic presentation entitled Shadow of Death. His production clearly empathizes with the sufferings of Jews during Hitler’s Nazi Europe. The premier performance of Shadow of Death, held at the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, was intentionally timed to coincide with Holocaust Memorial Day.
Puddle said he was personally very challenged with the rise in anti-Semitism. “I think I was shocked, and that challenged me as a director and an actor. What could I contribute to that to try and stand up and say, “no, that’s not acceptable?””
Shadow of Death was an eye-opener for cast and crew. Cast member Aaron Zaretsky said it impacted him emotionally, especially to identify with his own family who were killed in the Holocaust.
Additionally, a mixed audience of Jews and Christians appeared to be powerfully moved by the premier production. At the completion of the performance, Holocaust survivors were publicly honoured. Audience member Hélène Milne saw the production as a timely warning. “This production is a good wake-up call – for all people,” she said.
The current rise in anti-Semitism is a concern to the Jewish community in Canada. One Jewish participant in this year’s Canadian March Against Anti-Semitism expressed his apprehension: “I am really personally alarmed at what’s happening to the Jewish people world-wide. Without being paranoid, we have to be really vigilant today.”
Another Jewish marcher described his anxiety over increasing anti-Jewish sentiment at his son’s university: “My kid is a graduate going to York University next year. He wears a skull cap, a kippah, a yarmulke as they say. We’re a little nervous about him going to York and being identifiably Jewish.”
In its annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents, B’nai Brith Canada reported an increase in acts of anti-Semitism of more than 60 percent in 2002 over the previous year.
Doctor Irwin Cotler, a Member of Parliament from Mount Royal, Montreal, expressed his concern about the growth. “What I see is an increasing, virulent, escalating, global and even lethal anti-Semitism that overlaps with traditional anti-Semitism but goes beyond it.”
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