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Sponsored by the Calgary Jewish Community Council with the Support and Endorsement of the following:

The Alberta Association for Multicultural Education, Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, Alberta Human Rights Commission, Bridges for Peace, Calgary Centre for Culture, Equity and Diversity, Calgary Chinese Culture Centre, Council of Foreign Trained Immigrant Professionals of Alberta, Calgary Outlink, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews – Alberta Region, The Calgary Council of Churches, The Centre for Faith and the Media, the Ethnocultural Council of Calgary, Faith and the Common Good, First Alliance Church, the Government of Alberta, the Husseini Association of Calgary, Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, Ismaili Community of Calgary, Islamic Association of Canadian Women, the Muslim Council of Calgary, The Muslim-Christian Dialogue, Polish Canadian Association, Polish Combatants #18, The Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership, United Church of Canada, Calgary, and Unitarian Church of Calgary.

 

 

 

 

    Letter from the Calgary Jewish Community Council

        As many of you already know, early on Sunday morning anti-Semitic graffiti was painted on several Jewish institutions in our community including: the Holocaust Memorial, the JCC building, House of Jacob-Mikveh Israel, and Chabad House. Private property was also vandalized. It is shocking that such hateful words and symbols were painted across our community and particularly on our sacred ground.

      Police were alerted to the graffiti immediately and a thorough investigation has been launched. Surveillance video is being used in the investigation.

      As the liaison to the broader community, CJCC has been in contact with the police and has responded to numerous media inquiries. Adam Singer, the CJCC’s Vice President and Chair of Community Relations, and Judy Shapiro, the Director of Community Relations, have expressed to the media the Jewish community’s outrage, disgust and hurt over this incident. We are working with Calgary Police Services both to provide background information that may be useful to the investigation, and to gather information that can be provided to our community.

      Some have questioned why the police have not yet labeled this as a hate crime. From a Jewish community perspective, this is certainly a clear expression of hate toward our community. The police recognize that this is a hate incident. However, the hate crime provisions of the Criminal Code are very technical and it is only after the police have concluded a thorough investigation that the attorney general can determine whether the evidence supports a hate crime designation. The police are very sensitive to the severity of this incident, are taking it very seriously and have assigned significant resources to the investigation.

      At this point, we have no information as to the identity of the perpetrators or the specific findings of the police investigation. We will keep you posted as more information emerges. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Judy Shapiro.

      We have received many messages of support from individuals and religious leaders in Calgary.  We are in the process of planning an anti-hate rally tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 26th.  Watch for more details.

      B'Shalom,

      Gerry Barron: President, Adam Singer: Vice President and Chair, Community Relations Committee, Lance Davis: Executive Director, Judy Shapiro: Community Relations Director

      Notes and Quotes of Support

        The Calgary Jewish Community is so grateful and touched by all the letters and notes of support.  Some of the messages are below:

         

        "I just returned from Vancouver and am shocked to hear what has happened. I want to add my voice and the voices of my husband, parents and siblings against this disgraceful series of acts against  the Jewish community and against human decency. An act of injustice to one is an act of injustice to all.  We are plentiful and we are strong. We will continue to demonstrate our love for peace, acceptance and friendship throughout our diverse communities and continue to further marginalized the ideology that fuels this kind of hate.

        In peace and solidarity"

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        "I was digusted and disturbed to see the desicration (sic) of Jewish properties and memorial by the racist elements in our society. This is all the more reason why we should consider our walk again.
         
        On behalf of the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary, I would like to express our shock and sadness over these hurtful and mindless acts and to tell you that we extend our fullest support to the Jewish community in these trying times. Please let me if we could support you in any way.
         
        With our good wishes,"

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        “Sunday morning, our Jewish friends and neighbors woke to a sickening site: the Holocaust War Memorial, the Calgary Jewish Centre synagogues and a private home defiled during the night by Nazi imagery and anti-Semitic slogans.  I join all residents of Calgary Southwest in condemning this cowardly and hurtful act of vandalism.  Anti-Semitism is a disease of the soul; its odious manifestations, in any form and however rare, can never be tolerated in Canada.”

        Prime Minister Stephen Harper as quoted in the Calgary Herald

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        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
        November 17, 2009
        Muslim Council of Calgary condemns anti-Semitic vandalism

        CALGARY –  The Muslim Council of Calgary (MCC), the representative body of the city’s 60,000 mainstream Muslims, today denounced the recent spree of vandalism against Calgary Jewish institutions, including a community centre, Holocaust memorial, and a synagogue.


        “We categorically condemn these anti-Semitic acts of hate directed against the city’s Jewish community. Such abhorrent incidents are an attack against Canada’s diversity and pluralism and must be roundly rejected by Canadians of all backgrounds and faiths,” said MCC spokesperson Dr. David Liepert.
        “We stand in solidarity with our Jewish community members in the face of such intolerance and intimidation. We hope the perpetrators are swiftly caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he added.

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        "I wanted to express my outrage at the vicious attack on the Holocaust Memorial and other buildings including the synagogue.  I know I'm one of many who can not understand why anyone would do something so outrageous.  Please express my sympathy in particular to the survivors who must be so disappointed that this inhumanity continues after all their efforts to make this world more understanding for everyone.  Let's hope the culprits are caught and given appropriate treatment."

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        "I am 8 years old. On my summer vacation to Belgium and the Netherlands  I met two really nice Jewish families from New Jersey. I also learned about the swastika sign at the Anne Frank house and what it means. My family and I saw the hate crime on TV and wondered why anyone would do the swastika sign on a Jewish star. My family and I would love to help clean off the signs. If we can help, please let us know.
        Your friend,"

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        "I’m writing to you to express my thanks and sorrow. 
        The thanks is for the wonderful Jewish Film festival hosted by the Beth Tzedec Congregation.
        My wife and I attended the Nov. 8 showing of Menachem and Fred, and Mrs. Moscowitz and the cats.
        We had to return to Lethbridge early so we were unable to see Amnon’s Journey and the violin concert that followed.
        We were well received and enjoyed our time with the Congregation.
        And I would like to express my sorrow and outrage at the senseless vandalism your community has recently suffered.
        Such criminal thoughtlessness is an outrage against such a warm and welcoming community that we had the privilege to meet.
        Thank you for all you have done."

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        "I saw in yesterday paper -the Herald an elderly lady with her husband with concentration camp number on her hand I wish that should not have happened in 20 century. That was very sad emotional that was because of this condemn-able act of desecration and hateful remark and writing in Jewish centre        .          It was distasteful, despicable, cowardly racist act.
        As Muslim and board member of National Anti Racism Council of Canada, I extend my full support and share your hurtful feeling of sadness.
         
         It is still disturbing me to see the discretion of Jewish centre and properties it is deplorable hateful act.
        We stand in unity and solidarity with you and
        CJCC, the  elderly lady who with million of other suffered brutality and cruelty of concentration camps. 
        May God be with you

         
        With our good wishes and regards"
         

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        "I'm sure you have received many comments regarding the deplorable actions of one or more anti-semites to the Jewish people of Calgary. In fact, it is an affront to all people of sound mind. Let's hope the perpetrators are found sooner than later and delivered to the courts where we can all see them for the nut cases that they are.
         
         Take care,"      
         

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        "Very sorry to hear of the recent attack on the Jewish Community.With my thoughts,prayers and action l'll do what ever I can to support the Jewish Community.I'm glad this cruel act is beening pursued aggressively as from the past- an evil spark can release fire in the future.
        May you all be Blessed in these horrible days and transform the darkness into Light!"