Opinion
When do anit-vax social media posts cross over into antisemitism
By BERNIE BELLAN To what extent do many individuals who are adamantly anti-vax also share antisemitic beliefs? That is a question that has become of increasing concern, not just to members of the Jewish community, but to many thoughtful individuals who are alarmed by the tendency of many anti-vaxxers to use slogans that would either identify them as overtly antisemitic or, as is often the case, quick to use references to the Holocaust so as to gain sympathy for their usually totally erroneous arguments against vaccinations and mask mandates.
From time to time we read or hear of someone who has resorted to comparing what they claim is the persecution of anti-vaxxers to the plight of Jews during the Holocaust. Recently, for instance, I was contacted by a CBC reporter who asked me whether I had heard about the case of one such individual, someone by the name of Shea Ritchie, who owns two different restaurants in Winnipeg, Chaise Café & Lounge at 271 Provencher, and Chaise Corydon at 691 Corydon.
I hadn’t heard of Shea Ritchie, so I asked the reporter if she could send me something – such as a Facebook post or perhaps a video, that would explain why she was asking me about this particular individual. Subsequently she sent me a link to a video which Ritchie himself shot, in which he confronts four Manitoba Public Health officers who are at his Provencher restaurant to serve him with some sort of notice that he is in violation of public health orders. (You can view the video in its entirety at https://www.facebook.com/541085022/videos/551434249405086/)
During the course of the video, Ritchie (who is the one shooting the video) can be heard berating the officers – who keep their cool throughout and don’t engage Ritchie, as he continually tries to goad them into overreacting, and makes several Holocaust-related references. At one point he asks the officers “Can we put yellow stars on them (anti-vaxxers) and ship them out of here?”
Later, in a mocking tone, he questions why unvaccinated people are even allowed to remain in the city, saying “You guys are already building camps, right? So why can’t we just ship them out?” He then repeats the yellow star reference, asking “Shouldn’t we be identifying them with something bright – like a yellow star?” Then, he asks “Why don’t you guys just ship them away and take their kids and forcibly vaccinate their kids?”
Now, while one might be left more than a little uncomfortable hearing Ritchie use Holocaust analogies repeatedly, one might argue that, although he is misappropriating Holocaust imagery to support his twisted arguments, he is not saying anything overtly antisemitic in itself. To that extent, what he is doing is a clever manipulation of well known imagery to elicit sympathy for what he would argue are persecuted individuals who refuse to get vaccinated.
Compare Ritchie’s more subtle references to well-known tropes with the overt antisemitic claims of a more notorious anti-vaxxer, who goes by the name of “Chris Sky” – whose real name is Christopher Saccoccia. Sky has been to Winnipeg three times since the beginning of 2021 – in January, in April, and then again in August. When he was here in August he was served with an arrest warrant by Winnipeg police for failing to self-isolate when he entered Manitoba in January and for breaking gathering orders at a public place in April. (He was released after a bail hearing.)
Sky has resorted to overt antisemitic statements in the past. One of his Facebook posts criticizes the notion that “5 million Jews” were murdered during WW2 (he doesn’t even get the number right), saying it’s a “hoax”.
In Sky’s case it’s quite evident that the same type of thinking that would lead him to deny the Holocaust is also at play when he lashes out at vaccinations and mask requirements.
Finally, we have the case of the couple that owns two Tuxedo restaurants that are located side by side: Tuxedo Village Family Restaurant and Monstrosity Burger. David Jones and Paulina Jojnowicz have been enmeshed in controversy for quite some time. Originally, it was their lashing out at the Black Lives Matter movement in June 2020 that caught individuals’ attentions, when they posted “There are some trolls going around saying we are racist because we don’t’ agree with kissing black people’s feet (like promoted in BLM) to ‘prove’ we are not racist.”
On May 30, 2020, Dave Jones had posted this about the pandemic: “Not condoning violence or looting but this is what happens when you lie to and oppress the once Free People. We get fed up!! You will NOT steal our freedom with your fake Plandemic. Stop blaming Trump you imbeciles! MSM is behind the lies! Wake up!!!”
The two owners of the Tuxedo restaurants have now been hit with a total of $40,000 in fines for flouting public health orders. On the Monstrosity Burger Instagram page, they posted “This country is pathetic and we will lose every last bit of freedom if people dont (sic) stand up now”
To be fair, I haven’t seen anything that would lead one to suggest that Jones and Jojnowicz are antisemitic. What ties together all the characters I’ve referenced thus far, however, is a distrust of government, a willingness to enter into wild exaggeration, and a penchant for emotional outbursts on social media.
But, since there is a continuing series of stories about rising levels of anti-Semitism – many of which appear in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news feed on our website (jewishpostandnews.ca), and they have only grown of increasing concern parallel to the spread of the pandemic, it certainly leads one to wonder about the convergence of anti-vax conspiracy theories with other well-known conspiracy theories – among them antisemitic conspiracy theories.
It’s not difficult to make the case that the same kind of thinking that would dismiss scientific evidence about the overwhelming effective of vaccinations against Covid, along with other preventative measures, such as masking, hand washing and isolating Covid carriers, would also lead one to wander down the rabbit hole of antisemitic conspiracy theories as well. While there’s not a necessary correlation between being anti-vax and being antisemitic (there are plenty of Jews who embrace conspiracy theories about Covid themselves), there are enough indications that the same distrust of government and science which is the hallmark of the anti-vax movement also pervades right-wing antisemitism. The trumpeting of conspiracy theories about Jews controlling… and here you can fill in the blanks: the banks, the entertainment industry, or even big government itself, is so eerily similar to the arguments that governments have some insidious ulterior motives in wanting us to get vaccinated.
By now, we’ve become all too aware of the negative effects that social media have had on reasoned discussion of almost any issue. It doesn’t take much to incite fury among huge segments of the online world simply by railing against government, scientists, or the media. And once disinformation is spread, it’s terribly difficult to combat it effectively, no matter how much counter information might be offered in rebuttal.
Most of us are probably aware of at least one person within our circle of acquaintances who is an anti-vaxxer. I can’t say though that, of the individuals I do know who are anti-vaxxers, that any of them are antisemitic.
But, it is also easy to see how individuals who are susceptible to arguments against vaccination because they derive almost all their information either from ill-informed friends or family members, or from social media, could also be easily persuaded to believe mistruths about Jews or Israel, as the case may be.
Is there a way to combat this ongoing and growing trend to stop the spread of disinformation without clamping down on social media? I don’t see how, but at least in Winnipeg there is a concerted effort to attempt to expose individuals such as Shea Ritchie, David Jones, and Paulina Jojnowicz to scrutiny over their distortions when it comes to Covid. If we can make these purveyors of disinformation pay an economic price – which has been the case now with Chaise Lounge’s two locations and the two Tuxedo eateries, all of which have been found in violation of public health orders, perhaps others who have not been reticent to go public with their conspiracy theories may now think twice about being so open about voicing those theories – at least when it comes to Covid.
Sad to say though, while many anti-vaxxers harbour right wing sentiments that would lend them amenable to antisemitic views, viz Chris Sky, Chris Sky was arrested for defying orders about gathering in groups and for not properly quarantining, not for saying the Holocaust was a hoax. When it comes to combating antisemitism, the suggestion that what we need is more “educating” of the public, especially the online public, seems like so much pushing of Sisyphus’s proverbial rock up the hill – only to see it fall back down over and over again.
Uncategorized
The Nakba exhibit and the importance of historical context
By NOAH STRAUSS When I went to the Nakba Exhibit, I was shocked, not by the contents of the exhibit but by its size. The exhibit was tiny in my eyes, and I thought the amount of outcry was excessive for an exhibit that is less than 500 words. It felt like every other day the National Post had an article about the exhibit, criticizing different aspects of it. But then I had a realization: the exhibit was never criticized because it was “too” big, but because of the contents of it. When I was toured by the curator, I actually asked her, “Where is the rest of it?” I was confused because I had been misled by the media to believe the size of the exhibit was massive.
I believe that every human being should be able to live a free life. No human should be bullied for who they are. That is not okay, and to some credit, the Nakba exhibit does cover this. But where my problem now comes into play is the fact that the museum fails to portray the full history surrounding the Nakba.
The museum is publicly funded; our taxpayers’ dollars go there. It is supposed to represent our nation and our beliefs, not take a side on history. The Museum did exactly that. It took a side, and guess what? It caused chaos.
Whenever asked why it does not show the other side of history, the museum would always say something along the lines of: our space is limited, the focus of the exhibit is solely the Nakba, etc. But to me, these are excuses, and I will call that out.
For context, the Nakba was an event that occurred around 1948 after the 1947 UN Partition Plan. The Nakba continued until about 1949. During this time, approximately 750,000 Palestinians were either forced out or left what is now Israel.
The Museum is contributing to concerns surrounding the rise of antisemitism. The Museum has failed to mention that during the same era as the Nakba, hundreds of thousands of Jewish people were displaced from Middle Eastern and North African countries, with many forced to leave because of their religion.
Context matters. Yes, 750,000 Palestinians were displaced, but what happened during the same era also left hundreds of thousands of Jewish people without homes. When a visitor with no historical context walks in to see what the “Jewish” people did to the Palestinians, of course they’re going to blame the Jews. Because it makes me, a Jewish person, look terrible.
In my view, the exhibit contributes to concerns about growing antisemitism by presenting an incomplete historical narrative.
But then, as Jewish people, we need to know when it’s time to move forward. We need to focus on how we can positively portray the Jewish community and show the world who we are, rather than allowing others to define us through a one-sided historical narrative.
Noah Strauss is a 15-year-old Gray Academy student
Features
Did the Jewish Federation’s stepping in to force the firing of BB Camp co-executive director Jacob Brodovsky lead to the further alienating of many young Jews from the community?
(June 8, 2024) Introduction: We received the following email from a young Jewish Winnipegger re the BB Camp controversy, which we’ve reported on extensively on this website. We thought it important to post the email as a separate piece rather than as an add-on to an article in which we printed other emails from readers expressing their disappointment at what happened to Jacob Brodovsky, the former co-executive director of BB Camp:
Dear Mr. Bellan,
Thank you for once again cutting through the noise with your April 23rd column, “What the sordid BB Camp affair says about our community.” Your clarity and courage in calling out our rush to judgment and our narrowing definition of “Jewish identity” are deeply appreciated, especially by those of us who feel increasingly alienated in Winnipeg.
I also want to share a troubling observation about one of the loudest voices attacking Jacob Brodovsky: theJ.ca. Their articles—bylines like “Ron East” or “TheJ.ca Staff”—are, in fact, almost entirely generated by artificial intelligence. They contain no verifiable sourcing, frequently hallucinate details, and appear to be little more than a far-right newsletter running smear campaigns under the guise of “journalism.” The entire BB Camp series reads like an AI trained on extremist talking points, regurgitated daily to bully our community into silence.
As a young Jew in Winnipeg, I—and many of my peers—are horrified by the transformation we’re witnessing. What was once a warm, progressive community is now dominated by:
Bigots and Bullies: Parents threatening to pull their kids unless the camp bows to extremist demands.
Florida-style Republican Judaism: A narrow, intolerant ideology portrayed as the only “true” Jewishness.
Collapsing Leadership: Our Jewish Federation leaders, including Jeff Lieberman, have shown they lack the vision or backbone to navigate this crisis.
We stand at a dangerous inflection point. Our community is on the verge of a total and irreversible fascist takeover—an outcome no amount of regret or retrospective apologies can undo.
Please consider reading firsthand accounts from community members who have bravely spoken out:
I know this letter is anonymous and won’t be published, but I hope you see it as proof that many of us are desperate for ethical, forward-looking leadership. Thank you again for using your platform to remind us what Jewish community should mean: diversity of thought, compassion for all people, and the moral courage to call out extremism—no matter where it comes from.
This was NEVER a community of far-right Israelis. This is a shame beyond words.
With gratitude and urgency,
A Concerned Young Jew in Winnipeg
Post script: We had heard from many different sources (who all asked to remain anonymous) that the Jewish Federation’s decision to force the BB Camp board to fire Jacob Brodovsky came as a result of pressure from one or more big donors to the Combined Jewish Appeal. We sent an email to Jeff Lieberman, asking Jeff whether the Jewish Federation’s decision to force the resignation of Jacob Brodovsky as co-executive director of BB Camp came as a result of a donor (or donors) to the Combined Jewish Appeal threatening to withdraw their donation(s) this year unless Jacob were fired. I don’t think anyone would be surprised to learn that Jeff did not bother responding to my request for information.
The Jewish Federation used to advertise elections to its board in The Jewish Post & News for many years, but no longer does so (in the Jewish Post). Instead, it submits a slate of new appointees to its board to members of the current board to be rubber stamped. Is it any surprise that the donors who contribute the most money call the shots for the Federation (which is as its always been. The only difference is the Jewish Federation and the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council before it used to operate with a patina of democracy. Sadly, that is no longer the case.)
We would urge anyone on the Federation board who could give information about what led the board to force the resignation of Jacob Brodovsky to contact us. We would give full anonymity, as we have to the writer of the above letter.
-Bernie Bellan
Local News
Is It Alberta’s Turn to Regulate Online Gambling? Looking at the Possibilities
Online gambling and betting in Canada is booming, with each province allowed to regulate its own space. Ontario, Canada’s most populated province, turned two this year after leading the way in April 2022. In what should motivate Alberta and other provinces, Ontario is already reaping the rewards, generating $100 million annually in gambling revenue. Will the local administration in Alberta do what is needed?
Talks have been rife that Alberta is considering going the Ontario way by having an open-licensing system. In July 2023, the minister for Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, issued a mandate to make this province a hub of online sports betting and gambling.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently asked Nally to cooperate with indigenous partners and other stakeholders to develop an online gaming strategy. The main focus will be on revenue generation and responsible gambling. In light of this, Nally said Alberta’s primary focus is becoming a “leading hub for iGaming” with streamlined regulations and low corporate taxes. Such conditions should position Alberta to become a leading iGaming destination.
A few weeks ago, the minister attended the ICE international gaming conference held in London. Together with Ontario’s Attorney General, Doug Downey, and other stakeholders, Nally participated in a roundtable discussion regarding the status of iGaming in Canada. CDC Gaming Reports also revealed that the discussion highlighted the success of iGaming in Ontario and how Alberta can emulate this success story.
Looking into the Alberta Budget 2024, it’s evident that state monopoly could soon give way to Canadian casinos to thrive in the province. Alberta took the first baby steps towards a more liberal gambling sector after setting aside $1 million for gambling. This budget will support the looming review of the Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act and supporting Regulation. The idea is to review the entire regulatory framework to find more funding ways for Alberta charities and community projects.
Major operators like BetMGM, PointsBet, and PokerStars have since hired lobbyists to ensure commercial operators become a reality in Alberta. Speaking to investors and industry analysts in March this year, PointsBet CEO Sam Swanell tipped Alberta and British Columbia to legalize online betting soon. He noted that this could provide the much-needed expansion of that TAM.
Alberta is yet to take full advantage of online gambling despite being the country’s fourth-largest province, with around 4.3 million people. Smaller markets in North America, such as West Virginia and Connecticut, are already benefiting from commercialized online gambling. The good news is that noises about legal online gambling are getting louder in Alberta. It’s just a matter of when the government will make the announcement.
What Next for Online Gambling and Betting in Alberta?
Including a $1 million gambling review budget is definitely a step in the right direction. However, there’s still much to do to end Alberta’s long-standing gambling status quo. But at least the budget opens the door for further discussions and reforms regarding iGaming in Alberta. That discussion has been underway, although the momentum has increased in the last year or so.
As it stands, PlayAlberta.ca is the only regulated online gaming platform in Alberta. It’s a government-run website operated by the AGLC (Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis). Besides casino games, this website provides sports betting and lottery-style gaming experiences. The legal sign-up age on PlayAlberta.ca is 18 years.
For Albertans who prefer more gambling freedom, the government doesn’t restrict anyone from joining offshore operators. Most gaming sites operating in Alberta are licensed in Curacao, the UK, and Malta. Compared to PlayAlberta.ca, these websites provide a more extensive variety of games, rewards, and general experience.
In conclusion, it’s just a matter of when Alberta will introduce an open-licensing market. This approach has proved to be a success elsewhere, especially in Ontario. A recent Ipsos report in Ontario revealed that only 13.6% of the residents prefer to gamble on offshore websites. Alberta could soon follow this path, although there’s much work to do to realize this dream.
