Former Leaf deeply bothered by something that's happening in Toronto
Former Toronto Maple Leaf and current Edmonton Oilers' forward Zach Hyman recently sat down with Sportsnet's Mark Spector to bring light on a topic that is very near and dear to his heart.
Hyman is a member of the Jewish faith and the last few months have been rather difficult for the top-line winger as he navigates through the NHL, the political climate, as well as the rise of hate crimes - specifically for him, the antisemitism.
"I'm very proud of who I am. I'm proud of being Jewish. I'm proud of growing up in the Jewish community and I'm proud of where we come from," began Hyman, a 31-year-old product of Toronto's Jewish community.
The Oilers forward is the grandson of Holocaust survivors, schooled in Judaism from kindergarten all the way through Grade 12.
"As somebody that young Jewish kids look up to � not just an athlete, but as a proud Jewish person � I think it's important that when things are really tough, a community binds together. It sticks together and fights antisemitism."
The city of Toronto - Hyman's hometown - has reported 15 antisemitic incidents and 5 anti-Muslim incidents between the 7th of October to the 25th of October. Things aren't any better in the United States as they recorded a total of 2,031 incidents between the 7th of October and the 7th of December.
Just recently, the high school that Hyman frequented as an adolescent just had to deal with a few attacks but more shockingly 2 bomb threats. With Hanukkah currently being celebrated, Hyman thought it was the best time to speak up and talk about the issues:
"It's very clear that antisemitism as a result of what's going on has been on the rise. Jewish people don't feel safe. There are attacks on synagogues. My high school [in Toronto] has had two bomb threats. This is just for being Jewish. It's just because you're Jewish. There's no other reason."
Hyman, who is enjoying a very successful campaign with 16 goals and 28 points wants to use his current platform for the betterment of his people, his faith, and hoping that the bomb threats and similar incidents come to an end. https://x.com/SportsnetSpec/status/1735305547921104915?s=20
