Dr. Emmanuel Moss, the chief of cardiac surgery at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, has resigned and plans to relocate to Atlanta in September, citing escalating antisemitism in the city and deteriorating conditions within Quebec's health-care system, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Second high-profile departure
Moss's decision marks the second prominent Jewish professional to leave Montreal this spring, following Concordia University professor Gad Saad, who announced last month that he would accept a position at the University of Mississippi. Saad cited death threats and the difficulty of being a high-profile Jewish professor who supports Israel's right to exist.
Antisemitic incidents on the rise
Sources close to Moss indicated that he and his family became disillusioned with the growing number of antisemitic incidents in Montreal, including physical assaults, vandalism of Jewish-owned businesses, firebombing of synagogue entrances, and bullets fired at a yeshiva. They expressed frustration with what they perceived as a failure by authorities to adequately address these crimes.
Moss was particularly disturbed by recent images of anti-Zionist protesters staging a mock hanging of an effigy wearing a kippah, which appeared to depict Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The incident occurred during a protest last week.
Moss's career and departure
Moss has worked at the Jewish General Hospital for the past decade and has already informed his patients and synagogue of his imminent move. He declined to provide an interview or elaborate on his reasons for leaving when reached by phone.
Broader context
The departure of Moss and Saad highlights a troubling trend of Jewish professionals leaving Montreal amid a sharp increase in documented antisemitic incidents over the past three years. Both individuals have cited safety concerns and a hostile environment as key factors in their decisions.
