Gathering to grieve

In the weeks following the October 7th massacre in Israel, Canadian society seemed to be coming apart at the seams. Massive protests against Israel’s military incursion into Gaza clogged the streets. Jewish schools and synagogues were targeted with bullets and Molotov cocktails. University campuses became hotbeds of hysterical shouting matches. In response, Justin Trudeau gave interviews promoting the Canadian values of pluralism and multiculturalism. He reminded Canadians that we are known for listening to each other and being respectful, even when we disagree.

I admired the sentiment. Here in Canada, we are not going to solve the problems in the Middle East, but we can control how we interact with each other. And yet it was hard to spot the harmonious, empathetic Canada Trudeau described. Then I heard about a small group of Canadians determined to do something radical, something that stood apart from all the polarized demonstrations and protests that had taken over Canadian cities: they decided to come together in a peaceful vigil to show support for each other, to demonstrate kindness, and share their feelings of grief and loss about the conflict in the Middle East.

The East Toronto Multifaith Community is a volunteer-run group of diverse members that include Christians, Jews and Muslims. Since October 7th they have met several times peacefully, insisting on one rule: no flags or signs or slogans. How do these Canadians overcome their tribal alliances to see the humanity in each other? At Maclean’s, we asked them. I found their answers touching and I think you will too.

—Sarah Fulford, editor-in-chief

Stephen and Hazel Borys have deep roots in Winnipeg: he’s the CEO of the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq and she’s the city’s director of planning property and development. For months, while driving to Stephen’s brother’s house, they’d pass by the abandoned St. Philips Church and Memorial Hall. When the couple found out that the church had been put up for sale, they immediately leapt into action. They wanted to give it a new life.

For more than a decade, the feds have been pitching the world’s young people on a pie-in-the-sky vision of the Canadian Dream, branding the country as a land of tolerance, opportunity and first-rate education. But when a private, fly-by-night college owned by a scandal-plagued Montreal family imploded, so did the dreams of hundreds of international students.

TRENDING

Judith Holman, a retired government worker, and her husband, Peter Gahlinger, had two spare bedrooms in their home in Ottawa. They signed up for Sparrow, an online platform that connects homeowners with renters looking for affordable and safe housing. That’s where they met 20-year-old Goodness Ade, who moved from Nigeria to Canada as an international student three years ago. Judith and Goodness told Maclean’s about their experiences as unconventional roommates.

Subscribe to Maclean’s
We’re telling the stories you need to read. Subscribe to the magazine today and save up to 70% off the cover price.

Copyright © 2023 All rights reserved

SJC Media, 15 Benton Road, Toronto, ON M6M 3G2

You are receiving this message from St. Joseph Communications because you have given us permission to send you editorial features

Unsubscribe