Montreal – October 29, 2023 – Today, Federation CJA alongside more than 85 Montreal community organizations, hosted the Bring Them Home rally calling for the release of more than 220 hostages abducted by Hamas terrorists, including 30+ children, the elderly, Holocaust Survivors and the infirm.
The hostages, held captive in Gaza since the Oct. 7 attacks, include Canadian citizens.
Today we heard from close to 10,000 members of the Jewish community and good-faithed Montrealers of all backgrounds, united in demanding the release of innocent, civilian hostages held by Hamas terrorists”, said Yair Szlak, President and CEO of Federation CJA. “One cannot remain silent or indifferent when faced with the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.”
October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorists abducted more than 220 civilians from Israel during its barbaric massacre that killed more than 1,400 civilians, including numerous Canadians.
“Steps away from a United Nations building, this rally sent a powerful message to the UN and the world that Montrealers demand action to bring home the hostages,” said Eta Yudin, Vice-President (Quebec) of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). “We saw today, members of the Jewish community and allies denounce, with one voice, the deplorable use of civilians -- including children -- as hostages.
“While we continue to be preoccupied by a troubling rise in antisemitism and an increase in hate incidents targeting our community, today’s rally is about the hostages. Hamas terrorists must be held accountable.”
“We also call upon all people of good faith to contribute to the Israel Emergency Fund at FederationCJA.org to help support those who have been evacuated from the war zone, have lost their homes and all personal possessions,” said Szlak.
Federation CJA is facing an unprecedented need for funds for:
- Essential supplies for Israelis from the Gaza border area sheltering in host communities. Water, food, clothing, medicine, baby products, generators, and other needed supplies for thousands evacuated from the war zone.
- Protective equipment and emergency kits for first responders.
- Assistance to vulnerable Holocaust survivors and other seniors in areas threatened by rocket fire. Through food packages, check-ins from professional staff, respite programs, and psychological counselling.
- Trauma and emotional first aid. To fund mental health professionals to provide emergency support to frontline workers and devastated residents.
About Federation CJA
For over one hundred years, Federation CJA has been at the heart of the organized Jewish community in Montreal. In partnership with a vast network of agencies and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally, Federation CJA builds and sustains this community by providing leadership and by supporting the delivery of services and programs to care for the vulnerable and those in need, to ensure a bright Jewish future, to represent communal interests, and to positively affect issues in the wider society.
About CIJA
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations across Canada.
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