Defending against campus anti-Semitism

It was a relief to hear news of yesterday's ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. But for many Canadian Jewish students, the 11-day-long conflict has been particularly hard to handle.

At Wilfred Laurier University, two pro-Palestinian students shot a distressing video in which they lit a makeshift Israeli flag on fire and made stabbing gestures with Palestinian and Israeli flag emojis. At Queen's University, the campus newspaper came out in support of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel. In Calgary, the local Hillel joined the city's Jewish federation to host an online meetup earlier this week, so students could share their feelings and plan how to defend themselves against anti-Semitism.

On today's episode, Ellin is joined by Rafi Matchen and Yos Tarshish from Queen's University, as well as Danielle Braitman from Calgary Jewish Federation and LeeAnn Grisaru, president of the Hillel at the University of Calgary.

What we talked about:

• Read: "Laurier responds to offensive TikTok video posted by student" (thecord.ca)
• See the Queen's Journal retract their BDS support at Avi Benlolo's website
• Read: "West Island shop owner remains defiant in face of new language law" (montrealgazette.com)

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. Find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.