Nate Leipciger, a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor, stood on the grounds of Auschwitz, a chilling echo of his past resonating with a terrifying present. He wasn’t there to simply remember; he was there to warn. A surge of antisemitism is gripping Canada, and Leipciger, a man who stared into the abyss of hatred, feels the familiar chill once more.
Just months ago, mezuzahs – sacred symbols of Jewish faith – were ripped from the doors of his Toronto apartment building. Then, a drive-by shooting shattered the doors and lobby of his synagogue. The violence wasn’t random; it was a targeted assault, stripping away the sense of security he’d painstakingly rebuilt over decades. “Once you lose that,” he stated, “you no longer know when or where the next attack might occur.”
Leipciger’s story began in Poland in 1928. He endured the horrors of Auschwitz in 1943, surviving not only that death camp but also subsequent camps and a brutal death march before finally finding liberation in 1945. He immigrated to Canada in 1948, seeking a haven from the hatred that had consumed his youth. Now, that haven feels threatened.
He believes the key to preventing history’s repetition lies in unwavering truth and a fierce rejection of deception. “The running is over,” he declared, his voice carrying the weight of generations. “We have to stand up for our right to live as Jews… as free citizens.” This isn’t simply about Jewish safety; it’s about defending the very foundations of a free society.
The numbers paint a stark picture. Canada has witnessed a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents, with 6,219 reported in 2024 – more than double the figure from 2022. Public Safety Canada data reveals that nearly 70% of hate crimes targeting religion are now directed at the Jewish community. The fear is palpable, extending to Jewish communities across the nation.
Israeli officials have privately and publicly expressed their deep concern to Canadian authorities, describing the situation as critical. Israel has offered expanded cooperation in areas of education and security, recognizing Canada as a country facing heightened risk. The recent attacks on synagogues are viewed with grave seriousness.
The urgency extends beyond national borders. U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Yehuda Kaploun, emphasized the critical need for leadership accountability. He called for the designation of terrorist organizations, mirroring actions taken in the United States, and urged collective global action.
Recent incidents, like shots fired at a Jewish-owned restaurant in Toronto during Passover, underscore the escalating threat. The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs reports Jewish Canadians are 25 times more likely to be victims of hate crimes than any other group – a statistic that reveals a systemic failure to address Jew-hatred.
Law enforcement officials, like RCMP Superintendent SanJaya Wijayakoon, recognize the importance of building strong relationships with the Jewish community. He believes firsthand exposure to sites like Auschwitz is vital for officers to understand the historical context and apply those lessons to their work.
Sylvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress Israel Region, voiced frustration with the government’s response, calling for a clear and direct condemnation of radical Islam. He warned that the attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of a coordinated effort to undermine Western freedoms, starting with the Jewish community but ultimately threatening everyone.
The message from Auschwitz, carried by a survivor who has seen the darkest depths of human cruelty, is clear: complacency is not an option. The fight against antisemitism is not just a Jewish struggle; it is a fight for the soul of a nation, and for the future of freedom itself.
