Canadian Jewish Congress

The Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) was, for more than 90 years, one of the main lobby groups for the Jewish community in Canada. At its dissolution, the president of the CJC was Mark Freiman. Its past co-presidents were Sylvain Abitbol and Rabbi Dr. Reuven Bulka and its chief executive officer was Bernie Farber. The CJC was composed of affiliated organizations until 2007 when, as a result of a reorganization through which it became a subsidiary of the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy (CIJA), it became an organization of individual members. The CJC disbanded effective July 1, 2011 following a reorganization of the CIJA in which the CJC's former responsibilities were assumed by its parent organization. The Canadian Council subsequently adopted the name Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

In 1915, the immediate predecessor to the CJC was formed by the Montreal chapter of Poalei Zion (workers of Zion), a working class Zionist organization. They were soon joined by 13 other organizations, mostly other chapters of Poalei Zion and the Arbeiter Ring in forming the Canadian Jewish Alliance. Despite this show of support, the Canadian Federation of Zionist Societies, run by the influential Clarence de Sola, refused to support any democratic Jewish organization.

Despite the opposition of the Federation, the CJA moved forward with their plan to create a democratic Jewish Congress, they were further pushed ahead with the creation in 1918 of the American Jewish Congress.

In 1919, over 25,000 Jews from across Canada voted for delegates to the first convention of the CJC held in Montreal that March.

Diverse groups including Clarence de Sola's Federation, Poalei Zion, Mizrachi (a religious Zionist organization) and the Arbeiter Ring were present at the convention. While there, they were addressed by the Solicitor General of Canada, and were entertained at Montreal City Hall, where a large Zionist flag was draped over the Mayor's chair.