On July 26, HR Canada Charitable Organization held an important conversation examining one of the defining challenges facing the Canadian Jewish community today: the transformation of university campuses from places of open, thoughtful inquiry into environments where intimidation, ideological conformity, and antisemitism seem to be not only tolerated, but openly embraced.

In the months following October 7, campuses across North America became the epicentre of protests, encampments, and demonstrations that left many Jewish students feeling isolated, threatened, and abandoned by the very institutions charged with their safety and education. As universities struggled to respond, difficult questions emerged about academic freedom, institutional leadership, and the role of higher education in fostering civil discourse.

To explore these issues, we were honoured to welcome Shabbos Kestenbaum, one of the most prominent voices speaking out against campus antisemitism. Shabbos became nationally recognized after filing a landmark lawsuit against Harvard, alleging that the university failed to protect Jewish students from pervasive antisemitic harassment. Since then, he has become a leading advocate for accountability in higher education, testifying before the U.S. Congress and speaking internationally about the crisis unfolding on university campuses.

The conversation was moderated by Greg Brady, one of Canada’s best-known radio broadcasters and host of Toronto Today with Greg Brady. Together, they examined how universities arrived at this moment, why so many institutions have struggled to respond effectively, and what these developments reveal about the future of higher education, free inquiry, and democratic society.

This discussion moved beyond the headlines to explore the broader cultural and institutional factors that have contributed to the rise of antisemitism and polarization on university campuses. What happens when universities lose the confidence of the communities they serve? How should institutions balance freedom of expression with their responsibility to provide a safe learning environment? And what does the campus crisis tell us about the future of public discourse in Canada more broadly?

As these questions continue to shape public debate in Canada and beyond, this timely conversation will provide valuable insight into one of the most consequential issues facing our educational institutions today, and will arm students with practical tools for how to respond.