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Rev. Dr. Bennett initiated the Canadian Declaration on Antisemitism - a  coalition of Christian leaders who are denouncing antisemitism in Canada. Among other writings, he wrote an article in the National Post on September 27, 2024. He is visiting Beth Tikvah to talk about this article and more:

‘YOU CANNOT BE A CHRISTIAN AND BE AN ANTISEMITE’
Online declaration by church leaders hopes to unite Canadians

A coalition of Christian leaders from across Canada is putting their names on a document that declares they stand united against the rise of antisemitism in the country.

The Canadian Christian Declaration on Antisemitism is the brainchild of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett. He is an ordained deacon in the Ukrainian Greek-catholic Church in Canada; director of faith communities at faith-based think tank Cardus; and one-time head of Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom. He has also written for National Post.

In a brief but powerful 450 words, the document condemns “those who foment antisemitism in Canada.” It adds: “We will stand against all those in this country, regardless of motivation or ideology, who seek to demonize and dehumanize our Jewish fellow citizens.”

CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE

Rev. Dr. Bennett served as Canada's first Ambassador for Religious Freedom and Head of the Office of Religious Freedom from 2013 to 2016 during which time he led in defending and championing religious freedom internationally as a core element of Canada's principled foreign policy. At the same time, Dr. Bennett served as Canada's Head of Delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, a 31-country body which leads international efforts in Holocaust education, research, and remembrance.

An academic and public servant, Andrew holds degrees in History from Dalhousie and McGill as well as a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Edinburgh. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Dr. Bennett served in a variety of roles in the federal public service. A man of deep Christian faith, Andrew is active as a Sub-deacon and cantor in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church through St. John the Baptist parish in Ottawa.