Canadian Jews consider moving to the US over antisemitism — Jerusalem Post
Some Canadian Jews are considering moving to the United States due to rising antisemitism and attacks on the community. As the Jerusalem Post reports, US President Donald Trump, Florida Senator Rick Scott and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt discussed the possibility of granting refugee status to Canadian Jews who fear antisemitism.
Sari Watson, 39, from Quinte West, Ontario, did not attend Yom Kippur services because she feared an attack. According to her, on September 20, an armed attacker burst into the synagogue of her childhood in Belleville during Kol Nidre. The shootout ended with the attacker being killed, and one police officer was hospitalized.
Attacks and statistics
According to B’nai Brith Canada, the number of antisemitic incidents in Canada increased by 9.3% from 2024 to 2025. The organization also reported a sharp rise in online harassment; the highest overall number of such incidents was recorded in Ontario.
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In March 2026, the Temple Emanu-El synagogue in Toronto was shot at after Purim celebrations. The following week, two more synagogues in the city were subjected to firearm attacks: the buildings were damaged, but no injuries were reported. At the end of April, according to the publication, attackers allegedly fired imitation weapons at visibly recognizable members of the city’s Jewish community; one man sustained minor injuries.
Not everyone supports moving
Sheldon Shugal, a 64-year-old Calgary resident, is exploring the possibility of moving to the United States with his wife. He said he would take refugee status without hesitation. Florida immigration lawyer Lauren Cohen said that after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, about half of her clients from Canada cite antisemitism as the main reason for wanting to move to the United States. At the same time, she said, the economic situation also affects this decision.
Not all Canadian Jews consider the United States a safer alternative. Calgary dentist Lawrence Stanleigh said he does not plan to move, including because of Canada’s social protection and healthcare system. Canadian Member of Parliament from Montreal Anthony Housefather also expressed skepticism about claims of a mass departure of Jews to the United States, stressing that antisemitism is a serious problem in various countries.
