A new initiative based in the United States is offering Canadian Jewish families a potential escape route from what many describe as a dangerous and escalating climate of antisemitism in Canada. The program, which assists with relocation to Tulsa, Oklahoma, comes as reports show a staggering increase in hate incidents and as community members express profound fears for their safety.
Record Levels of Hatred Prompt Exodus Considerations
According to data from B’nai Brith Canada, the nation witnessed 6,219 incidents of antisemitic hatred in 2024. This figure represents a shocking 124% increase from 2022. The surge is widely attributed to the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, terror attacks in Israel, which triggered a prolonged and organized campaign of intimidation against Jewish communities in cities like Toronto.
This campaign has included over 800 street demonstrations, vandalism of Jewish-owned businesses, and targeted marches through Jewish neighbourhoods. One recent confrontation, captured on video, featured an anti-Israel protester wearing a red keffiyeh telling a Jewish resident, "Zionist, you don't own this." Many in the community now report being afraid to visit kosher stores, attend worship services, or openly identify as Jewish.
North American Emigration Hits Four-Year High
Faced with this reality, a growing number of Canadian Jews are actively exploring exit strategies. Immigration to Israel, known as Aliyah, has reached a significant peak. The organization Nefesh B’Nefesh reports that more than 4,100 people relocated to Israel from Canada and the U.S. in 2025, marking the highest number in the past four years and a 12% jump from 2024.
For those not looking to move to Israel, the United States presents an alternative. However, navigating U.S. immigration law presents a formidable challenge. This is where the newly launched Lech L’Tulsa program aims to help.
Tulsa Markets Itself as a Safe, Close-Knit Haven
Spearheaded by Canadian expat Michael Sachs, who moved his own family to Tulsa earlier in 2025, the program is a joint effort by the Jewish Federation of Tulsa and Tulsa Tomorrow, a local growth initiative. The program's name is a play on the Hebrew phrase "Lech Lecha," the command given to Abraham to leave his homeland.
"When I got here, one of the things I kept hearing was the amount of Jewish-Canadians concerned with the direction Canada is going, and exploring opportunities outside of Canada," Sachs told the Toronto Sun. He emphasizes the program does not recruit but provides information and support for families making their own difficult calculations.
Rebekah Kantor-Wunsch, Executive Director of Tulsa Tomorrow, describes Tulsa as a hub of entrepreneurship with a vibrant, close-knit Jewish community. The program facilitates consultations with immigration lawyers and offers tangible financial incentives. For eligible Canadian families, Lech L’Tulsa matches Tulsa Tomorrow's $2,000 (US) relocation reimbursement, for a total of $4,000 (US). It also organizes visits for those interested in exploring the city firsthand.
Sachs notes that candidates must have at least Canadian citizenship, with the process being smoother for those who already possess American citizenship. The program does not sponsor work visas but provides a clear pathway for those who can legally live and work in the U.S.
As fears of anti-Jewish terrorism intensify globally—highlighted by recent attacks like the Bondi Beach massacre in Australia—the search for safety has become urgent for many Canadian Jews. Programs like Lech L’Tulsa represent one of the structured responses to a crisis that is reshaping the demographic landscape of Jewish communities in Canada.
