Like Everyone Else . But Different: The Paradoxical Success of Canadian Jews

Despite their troubled history, Canada’s Jews have done more than prevail; they are on their way to becoming the world’s second-most important Diaspora community, and enjoy a quality of life unmatched since the Golden Age of Spain.

In Like Everyone Else…But Different, Morton Weinfeld investigates the complex and fascinating story of Jews in Canada today. In chapters laced with personal anecdotes and classic Jewish humour, he explores the history and diversity of Canadian Jews, their work lives and family lives, their various communities and religious divisions, their politics and culture.

The Jewish story in Canada is a story based on paradox. Canada’s Jews are an extremely diverse and often fractious group, yet that diversity is their strength and the key to their vitality. They are at the leading edge of many trends in our society, yet their cultural traditions and religious observance remain strong. Anti-Semitism is far from gone, but Jews are increasingly an object of admiration or at least curiosity. As a group they enjoy high incomes, high levels of education, distinction in business, science, and the arts. They are a multicultural group par excellence, a model of how to do it right.

This lively, surprising, and often controversial study is a “must-read” for every Canadian Jew and for anyone connected to or curious about Jewish life and multiculturalism in Canada.

Dr. Morton Weinfeld is a professor of sociology and holds the chair in Canadian Ethnic Studies at McGill University. He is the author of numerous works, both academic and popular on history, ethnicity, immigration, and other topics, and writes a monthly column for the Canadian Jewish News. He lives in Montreal.