Michael Sachs arrived at B’nai Emunah synagogue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, exchanging his cowboy hat for a kippa as he joined the congregation. The service blended traditional observance with contemporary music, reflecting a community adapting to new circumstances. Mr. Sachs moved to Tulsa just over a year ago after nearly three decades in Canada, having most recently served as head of the Jewish National Fund of Canada’s Pacific Region in Vancouver.

His relocation is part of a growing trend among Canadian Jews responding to a surge in antisemitic incidents across Canada in recent years. Mr. Sachs, now senior director at the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, said Jewish Canadians “have been unfortunately targeted” increasingly since 2023. Alongside him at the Tulsa synagogue was Joe Roberts, executive director of Jewish Tulsa and another Canadian transplant. Both men were among the earliest Jewish families to relocate through Tulsa Tomorrow, an initiative launched in 2017 to attract Jewish families from larger urban centers seeking affordable, welcoming communities. Originally targeting American cities, the program has seen a marked rise in Canadian applicants over the past year.

“This place feels different,” Mr. Roberts said. “I never have any concern about wearing a Mogen David here, I don’t worry about people wearing a kippa on the street.” He added that in Canada, many Jewish families now feel compelled to consider their safety and future in the country.

Outside of Tulsa, many Canadian Jews are weighing similar decisions. The rise in antisemitic hate crimes has been significant following the escalation of the conflict in Israel and Gaza in late 2023. Although Jewish Canadians represent just over 1 percent of the population, hate crimes targeting Jews accounted for nearly 19 percent of all reported hate incidents in 2024 and 68 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes. Incidents range from vandalism to violent attacks, including a shooting outside the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Erev Yom Kippur in 2026.

The impact is felt across institutions. A federal report found antisemitism prevalent in Canadian schools and universities, with reports of harassment, hostile classroom environments, and online abuse. A 2026 Canadian Jewish Barometer survey revealed increased fear among Jewish Canadians about their long-term safety and place in society, with roughly one in four respondents having seriously considered leaving the country.

While the perception of a growing exodus has been reported in media, exact data on Jewish emigration from Canada are lacking. Statistics Canada does not track departures by religion or ethnicity, making it difficult to quantify how many have left or plan to leave. However, several prominent Jewish professionals, including academic Gad Saad and cardiac surgeon Emmanuel Moss, have publicly cited antisemitism as a factor in their decision to move to the United States.

Tulsa Tomorrow has seen a surge of interest from Canadian families, with over 200 applications in the past ten months and a majority of attendees on recent organized trips hailing from Canada. The program offers tours highlighting affordable housing, local Jewish resources, and cultural sites such as the Greenwood Rising museum and the Bob Dylan Center. For many, Tulsa represents a potential refuge, offering a sense of safety absent in their Canadian communities.

Nevertheless, relocating to the U.S. presents challenges, including immigration hurdles and concerns about antisemitism stateside, as some American Jews themselves explore options abroad amid political and social uncertainties. Despite this, Tulsa’s approachable environment and existing connections through Tulsa Tomorrow form a compelling draw for those seeking a new start.

Back in Canada, Jewish leaders and community members emphasize that antisemitism is a societal issue, not limited to Jews alone. Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner described recent attacks as crossing a “line of decency.” Community advocates urge vigilance and resilience, underscoring the contributions of Jewish Canadians to the country’s history and future.

For many, including Mr. Sachs and others who have relocated or are considering doing so, the decision to leave is fraught with complexity but driven by concerns for safety and the well-being of their children. Still, there remains a commitment among many to confront hatred and work toward a society where Jewish life can thrive securely. As one community member reflected, despite the difficulties, “there are a lot more good Canadians that are sick of seeing this antisemitism and I believe we will survive it together.”