An Evening with Special Envoy, Deborah Lyons
Presented by the Holy Blossom Temple Advocacy Committee
Wednesday, November 13, 7:00 pm
Please join us at Holy Blossom Temple for an important conversation with Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons.
Special Envoy Lyons has served for many years in national and global diplomatic leadership positions, including as Canada’s ambassador to Israel and Afghanistan. She was appointed to her current position in October 2023 and, as part of her role, she represents Canada at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The IHRA definition of Antisemitism has become the global gold standard and has been formally adopted by Canada.
Special Envoy Lyons will inform us about her ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, discuss the challenges faced by Jewish Canadians as they grapple with a historic rise in antisemitism, and engage in a moderated conversation with members of the Holy Blossom Temple Advocacy Committee. More information about the Advocacy Committee can be found here.
This event is particularly timely, given the recent release of the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. This Handbook, prepared by the Special Envoy and her team, is a critical tool in the ongoing process of educating Canadians about how to identify antisemitic acts and how best to respond.
We hope that Jews and allies from across the greater Toronto area will join us for this important event. The evening will be both in-person and livestreamed.
