Dear Lifestyle Editor,

 

Your beautifully written article was forwarded to me by my daughter’s friend who also attends Queen’s. As a non-Jew, I live in a predominantly Jewish community here in Toronto and thus most of my closest and dearest friends are Jewish.

 

I would define myself as non-political and agnostic, and thus have a firm belief in the separation of church and state. I also believe that one should be able to protest and criticize any political regime without being deemed as prejudice of that nation’s culture or traditions.

 

Having said that, there is absolutely no excuse for anti-semitism on any level, whether subtle or overtly violent. I’m writing only to assure you that for every one ignorant and hateful individual out there, there are hundreds of non-Jewish people, like me, who respect, admire and support your communityjust as we support all the other different communities that form the patchwork of our country.

 

I have rarely written in response to articles or news feeds. But in light of the growing incidents of violence and prejudice spawn from hatred towards Jews around the world, and more and more so in Canada, your article has resonated with me.

 

I wish you and your housemate well and hope that by speaking out and continuing to expose these small but disturbingly frequent acts of hatred, there will be more support and protection for you from the other communities alongside of your own.

 

My kindest regards, 

Shirley Bridges.