U.S. Program Offers Canadian Jews Escape Route Amid Rising Antisemitism

With Canada experiencing an unprecedented wave of antisemitic hatred, a new program is offering Jewish families a potential exit strategy, relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma, as reported by the Toronto Sun.

Michael Sachs, a Canadian expat who moved his family to the United States earlier this year, helped launch "Lech L'Tulsa," a program designed to assist eligible Canadian Jews in making the transition to his new home city.

"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. "This is not us trying to coach or recruit people, every family has to make their own calculations and weigh their pros and cons, but there are obstacles to immigrate to the U.S."

Canada's Deteriorating Security for Jews

Following the October 7, 2023 terror attacks in Israel, far-left and Islamist activists launched what Canadian Jewish communities describe as a coordinated campaign of intimidation against Toronto's Jewish population.

The campaign has included over 800 demonstrations on city streets, vandalism of Jewish-owned businesses, disruptions at malls and stores during holidays, and intimidation marches through Jewish neighborhoods, often with minimal intervention from police or city officials.

According to B'nai Brith Canada, antisemitic incidents spiked dramatically in 2024, with 6,219 documented cases of hatred against Jews, a 124% increase from 2022.

The situation has deteriorated to the point where many Toronto Jews report being afraid to visit kosher stores, attend worship services, or openly identify as Jewish in public.

Record Immigration to Israel

Many Canadian Jews are already seeking exit strategies. Those with Jewish grandparents are entitled to apply for Israeli citizenship under Israel's Law of Return.

According to Nefesh B'Nefesh, a non-profit facilitating Israeli immigration from North America, more than 4,100 people relocated to Israel from Canada and the United States in 2025—the highest number in four years and a 12% increase from 2024.

How the Tulsa Program Works

The "Lech L'Tulsa" program, a play on the Hebrew phrase "Lech Lecha," God's command to Abraham to leave his homeland, offers an alternative for those seeking safety without leaving North America.

Rebekah Kantor-Wunsch, executive director of Tulsa Tomorrow, emphasized that the program doesn't sponsor work visas or circumvent immigration bureaucracy but provides support for families who can already legally live and work in the U.S.

"It's easier, logistically, to help relocate people who can already legally live and work here," she said. "We know that there's a Canadian interest to seek opportunities in the US, and we are here for you."

Financial Incentives and Support

For qualified participants, Lech L'Tulsa offers:

- $2,000 relocation reimbursement from Tulsa Tomorrow

- An additional $2,000 match from Lech L'Tulsa (total $4,000)

- Immigration law consultation support

- Exploratory visits to Tulsa for interested families

Kantor-Wunsch described Tulsa as an emerging hub for entrepreneurship and remote workers with a vibrant, close-knit Jewish community, offering both economic opportunities and communal security.

The program is operated jointly by the Jewish Federation of Tulsa and Tulsa Tomorrow, an initiative designed to attract young Jewish families to the growing Oklahoma city.

Sachs, who holds American citizenship that facilitated his own family's move, stressed that candidates must have at least Canadian citizenship, with American citizenship making the process even easier.

"We facilitate consultations with immigration lawyers" to help families navigate the legal complexities of U.S. immigration, he explained.