Ellin Bessner

Why did 1,000 🇨🇦Jewish women dance, pray and make challah this week with 🇮🇱-Canadian influencer Anat Ishai, aka "TheChallahMom"? I spoke with her for @TheCJN about bringing her Jewish joy, faith and her family's aliyah story to Diaspora Jews looking for connection post-Oct. 7. thecjn.ca/arts-culture/h…

Anti-Israel chalk messages (and stickers) have repeatedly appeared across Vancouver’s Oak Street, the historic Jewish corridor, since Oct. 7. From @scharatze to the VGH. Residents say they clean the slogans, report to @vancouverpolice @CityofVancouver but the solo pro-Palestinian activist they say is behind the campaign hasn't been charged. “I just want to go to the bus stop or walk around the park and not have to see this hate.” On @TheCJN's "North Star" podcast we go inside Vancouver’s Israel-Gaza chalk war. 🎧thecjn.ca/news/vancouver…

“I thought I could be stabbed.” Ottawa Jewish leader @TheDavidSachs speaks out after protester @DeanaSherif was sentenced May 6 for criminal harassment, and assault with a weapon (piercing electronic whistle) in connection with some 2024 anti-Israel confrontations near Parliament Hill. The judge gave her 17 months in prison but she's already served that, so aside from a criminal record, she got 1 yr. probation, a ban on noisemakers or weapons, and "no contact" orders. Police originally laid 8 charges including two hate-related ones. Sachs is disappointed the Crown chose not to pursue the hate angle at trial. New on @TheCJN North Star podcast. 🎧 [thecjn.ca/news/why-no-ha…]

5 years ago this week @TheCJN launched a daily news podcast about Jewish life in Canada. 800+ episodes later, "North Star" has documented how profoundly that story changed because of Oct. 7. In this anniversary episode, I go deep as producer Zachary Judah Kauffman turns the🎙️around to interview me about covering #antisemitism, protest movements, politics, personal grief, Israel and the transformation of 🇨🇦’s Jewish community in real time. Hear what #Jewish #Canada sounds like today. 🎧 [thecjn.ca/news/the-cjn-c… #cdnpoli #Journalism #Podcast #JewishCanada

With Toronto police announcing an arrest in connection with the March synagogue shootings investigation, this moment from my @TheCJN interview with former homicide commander @hank_idsinga feels especially timely. “Some people have suggested I’m lying about the whole thing.” Full interview on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/mAhOZy-iKAY?si…

Idsinga says he reported incidents while serving—and saw no meaningful action.

Retired Toronto homicide inspector @hank_idsinga warns Toronto’s Jewish community to hold @TorontoPolice accountable, after his antisemitism allegations about how things work in Canada's largest police force. He retired shortly after Oct. 7 but believes the bigotry he witnessed explains the lack of police response to protests, hate crimes, shootings. Hear more incl. his own family's Holocaust legacy @TheCJN. 🎧Full interview: thecjn.ca/news/not-optim… #Toronto #Policing #Antisemitism

Toronto synagogues shooting suspect photo released by @TorontoPolice and @YRP. Likely a young offender. yrp.ca/en/Modules/New…

“No more dithering.” Why Senator David Arnot says Canada must act now on #antisemitism. The member of the @ISGSenate from Saskatchewan pushed for and then revived a Senate study on antisemitism. Their report with 22 recommendations came out last week. In his first interview, Arnot tells @thecjn Canada has failed to educate young people against antisemitism. #canpoli @SenateCA @SenatorHousakos 🎧thecjn.ca/news/22-recomm…

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲’𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧—𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝? Canada's Jewish leaders have urged more protection: seeking $100 million for security in Tuesday's economic update. New laws have been introduced–but many say enforcement is still missing. @bnaibrithcanada's #antisemitism audit drops today, likely giving ample evidence that 🇨🇦 Jews remain targets. @thecjn's "North Star" political panel insiders @danjmader @ntepperman & @DavidBirnbaum1 put Carney's first year in Parliament under the microscope. 🎙️thecjn.ca/news/after-a-y… #canpoli #Canada

Final 🇮🇱flag raising. At Toronto City Hall, Israel’s last flag raising ceremony April 22 drew a large crowd of Jewish leaders and allies. Declarations of resilience during a ceremony that was also, surprisingly, without protesters. @cityoftoronto is ending all foreign flag ceremonies, after years of local acrimony related to the war in Gaza. Hear why the ban is receiving mixed reviews. 🎧 New on @TheCJN "North Star" podcast.thecjn.ca/news/israels-f… @PasternakTO @MikeColleTo @CAEFto @RafiYablonsky @CanadianFSWC @IsraelinToronto @NCJWCToronto @DianneSaxe

From #HannahSenesh to #Hersh Goldberg-Polin: what Jewish heroism looks like. On #yomhazikaron, a new book by 🇨🇦🇮🇱 author @MattiFriedman explores the myth and reality behind Senesh, the iconic Israeli parachutist from #WWll. He explains why her generation's descendants including the slain Oct. 7 hostage are still rushing into danger to protect their people. Friedman joins @TheCJN "North Star" podcast: 🎧 Listen: [thecjn.ca/arts-culture/f…]

Thank you @ebessner and @blandrea for this interview. It was so nourishing. Check it out on the @TheCJN thecjn.ca/news/canada/he…

UPDATE: traffic resumed 11:41 am. Location was under highway 30 overpass near Vaudreil

@VIA_Rail All train traffic stopped eastbound and westbound between Montreal and Ottawa because of a person lying on the tracks. @CBCOttawa @CBCNews. We are stopped at 11:35 a.m. train 24.

📣 Looking for a summer position? Join our Podcast team! 📣 The successful candidate will create high-quality audio content on one or more of The CJN Podcast Network’s ongoing programs. The Podcast Producer will work closely with a show’s host to brainstorm story ideas, coordinate interviews with guests, cut down interviews in post-production, enhance audio quality, edit together final mp3 files and keep the show engaging for audiences around the world. This is a temporary, 12- to 16-week summer position. Full job description: linkedin.com/jobs/view/4401…

4/ In a world where knowledge about the Holocaust has declined among young people, Kacer believes she's giving them a way to connect with history and live more ethical lives. 🎧 Listen to the full interview on @TheCJN's "North Star" podcast: [thecjn.ca/news/on-yom-ha…]

3/Some of these stories connect directly to Canada. Kacer's new book "Last Known Address" just came out with 13 portraits spanning countries from Ireland to Serbia. She also purposely portrays what happened to Roma people, the disabled, LGBTQ persons and dissidents.

🧵1/On #YomHaShoah a question: Is #Holocaust #education working? Canadian children's author @KathyKacer says yes — if we find new ways to reach young people.