The Canadian Jewish Congress today officially proclaimed the bicentenary of Canadian Jewry, marking the 200th anniversary of the settlement of the first Jews in the colony of Lower Canada in 1759.
A bicentenary proclamation signed by Samuel Bronfman, president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, called for a year of “thanksgiving prayer and celebrations to commemorate the national bicentenary of Canadian Jewry.” The statement recalls that Jews from many lands “have come to these hospitable shores in search of religious and political freedom and economic opportunity” and stresses that “the blessings of a free country have made possible a flourishing Jewish community living in harmony with its fellow citizens.”
“In this mosaic of Canada we have held fast to our ancient prophetic ideals, motivated by our steadfast belief in human dignity and human welfare,” the proclamation continues. “In this hour of thanks giving we recall that our generation was privileged to witness the creation of the State of Israel and we express our profound gratitude for the leadership Canada demonstrated in this historic achievement.”
An honorary committee to patronize the bicentenary observances is headed by the Prime Minister of Canada and includes the Premiers of the ten Canadian provinces.
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