Purslow, Frances. Jewish People in Canada. [Series: Special Canadian Communities] Calgary: Weigl Educational Publishers Limited, 2006. 24 p. [price?]. ISBN 1-55388-130-3 Pbk.

         Published by a Canadian educational publisher, Jewish People in Canada is rife with errors: The flag of Israel is referred to as the “Jewish flag”. The caption beneath the photo of a “siddur” calls it the Torah. Yiddish is apparently spoken by four million people worldwide.

Furthermore, Purslow selected examples of customs and traditions that are narrow in focus. Hanukkah gets double billing with activities about latkes and dreidels; Passover is scarcely mentioned. Other holidays like Simchat Torah, Sukkot, and Shavuot are left out entirely.

The late Israel Asper, the Winnipeg philanthropist, gets a full page under “Cultural Contributions”, as does author Mordecai Richler. Where are the many Jewish artists, musicians, dancers, and writers who have enriched Canada’s culture? Where are the Jewish business people, politicians, lawyers, doctors, and athletes who have made valuable contributions to Jewish life? Not in this book.

The narrow, regional (Western Canada) focus can be seen by the choice of quotes and photos. In addition, one can detect a sexist bias. For example, while there are three photos of a Bar Mitzvah boy, there is not even one of a Bat Mitzvah girl. Men predominate in photos of early settlers; you have to look hard to find a woman.

Lovely photos and an interesting layout do not make up for errors, omissions, and bias. An informative book about Jews in Canada for this age group has long been overdue. Unfortunately, this one isn’t it.

Not recommended

© Anne Dublin.

Originally published in AJL Newsletter, Feb/March 2007.

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