UMVA has learned that a quiet exodus of Canadian Jews is underway, driven by rising antisemitism and a growing sense of unease. For some, it's a question of feeling safe, while for others, it's about finding a more welcoming community.
High-profile cases, such as bestselling author and professor Gad Saad, have made headlines. Saad, who has faced constant threats, is leaving Montreal, the city his family fled to from Lebanon in 1975, to relocate to Mississippi. He is not alone; Dr. Emmanuel Moss, the chief heart surgeon at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital, is also leaving, taking up a position in Atlanta, Ga.
According to information obtained by UMVA, these high-profile departures are just the tip of the iceberg. Many more quiet conversations are taking place around family dinner tables, with Jews questioning whether Canada is still a safe and welcoming place for them. The sense of unease has grown significantly since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel.
The attacks, which killed the most Jews in a single day since the Holocaust, including eight Canadians, sparked a wave of antisemitism in Canada. Synagogues, Jewish schools, and community centers have been targeted by shootings and arson, but the political response has been weak. A recent speech by the Prime Minister acknowledged the problem but offered few solutions.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that some Canadian Jews are now looking to leave the country, with many considering destinations like Florida, Texas, Israel, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Talia Klein Leighton, a leader of Canadian Women Against Antisemitism, admitted that the conversation about leaving Canada has become more frequent, even among those who have dedicated their lives to fighting antisemitism.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the trend is real, with some Canadian Jews already making the move. Michael Sachs, who relocated from Vancouver to Tulsa, Oklahoma, last year, says he is not alone. His organization, Tulsa Tomorrow, has brought dozens of Canadians to explore the area, with many more planning to make the move.
Amir Epstein, head of the grassroots community group Tafsik, warns that an exodus is building. He believes that if another terrorist attack occurs, thousands of Canadian Jews will pick up and leave. While Canada still has the fourth-largest Jewish population in the world, something important has changed: many are quietly wondering if they should stay.
UMVA has gathered that the issue is not just about who has left, but about how many are starting to question their future in Canada. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Jewish community in Canada is at a crossroads, and the path forward is uncertain.
