A research team at Concordia University of Edmonton is conducting a nationwide study to better understand how the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel have affected Jewish Canadians, examining topics from their sense of security and well-being to their values and commitment to altruism.

Having reached out to the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, as well as other Jewish organizations across the country, the team hopes that community members are willing to provide first-hand insight into what has been a very challenging couple of years following the October 7 attacks.

Led by Dr. Thea Comeau, a professor and researcher at Concordia University of Edmonton, the project aims to shed light on both the positive and negative consequences of the attacks for Jewish Canadians. 

With the team having seen profound changes in the values and behaviours in many of their own families, this subject hits close to home. 

“It seemed to me that Jewish people were collectively undergoing significant shifts, often in silence, as our voices are too often overlooked or left unamplified,” said one researcher. “This inspired me to ask whether these changes extended beyond my immediate circles and local community.”

The team hopes that by collecting these accounts, it can provide a more nuanced understanding of how international events reverberate across diaspora communities.

“In the face of trauma, whether directly or indirectly, survivors often experience changes to their world view and values,” said Dr. Comeau. “While the pain of trauma is undeniable, survivors also often demonstrate incredible strength in moving towards values, both new and old, in the aftermath of trauma.” 

Joining Dr. Comeau on the project are Dr. Zdravko Marjanovic, an assistant professor of psychology, and Dr. Alexander Taikh, as well as Shoshana Golsof, a doctoral student in the university’s Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program.

The researchers are inviting Jewish Canadians to participate in an anonymous online survey designed to capture a broad spectrum of experiences and reactions. The survey takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete. Participants can stop at any point if they choose and will not be contacted directly by the research team.

The team is seeking to engage more participants before the study concludes later this fall. They have appealed to Jewish organizations and community leaders across Canada to help circulate the study’s link to those who may be interested in contributing.

The researchers hope their findings will not only document the challenges faced by Jewish Canadians in the aftermath of October 7 but also highlight stories of resilience, solidarity, and shifts in civic or charitable engagement. By exploring changes in altruism and values, the study seeks to offer insights into how traumatic global events can influence community bonds and personal outlooks.

“Generally, due to the limits of our ethical approval, this work will be disseminated through academic forums, such as academic journals and research conferences,” said Dr. Comeau. “That being said, interested parties from the study can absolutely request access to the findings, and we are more than happy to meet with groups or stakeholders to discuss study findings once we have them.”

The team believes the research could have implications for how Canadian society understands and supports minority communities affected by international conflicts. 

The survey will close at the end of this year. If you wish to contribute, you can access the survey by clicking here.