Tafsik Launches Plan B Initiative With Israel And Panama Relocation Focus

TORONTO, Canada — Tafsik, a Jewish advocacy organization known for its on-the-ground opposition to antisemitism and antizionism in Canada, has announced the launch of its new Plan B Initiative, a program designed to support Jewish families who are considering relocation due to growing concerns over safety and the future of Jewish life in the country.

The initiative was formally introduced alongside the announcement of a limited-capacity exploratory trip to Panama scheduled for February 2026. Tafsik leaders say the program reflects a changing reality facing Canadian Jews and an acknowledgment that the community is increasingly divided over whether to remain in Canada or seek alternatives abroad.

Tafsik has built its profile by confronting antisemitic activity directly, including countering campus encampments and participating in in person opposition to Al Quds Day rallies. The organization says it has consistently emphasized physical presence and legal action rather than online advocacy alone.

According to Tafsik, the Plan B Initiative is not a call for mass departure, nor an endorsement of emigration. Instead, it is intended to provide practical support and information to families who feel compelled to explore options outside Canada while continuing to support those who choose to stay.

“We are not telling people to stay or to leave,” the organization said in a statement announcing the initiative. “We want to help families whether they choose to stay or leave. That is the responsible approach.”

The announcement comes amid heightened concern within the Canadian Jewish community over rising antisemitism, political polarization, and what Tafsik describes as troubling international alignments by the federal government. Tafsik leaders cited frustration among Canadian Jews with Ottawa’s foreign policy posture and growing anxiety about the long term security of Jewish life in Canada.

Tafsik acknowledged that the initiative could run counter to its own organizational interests. Helping families relocate, leaders said, could reduce the donor base that sustains community advocacy efforts. However, the group emphasized that its guiding principle has always been community first rather than fundraising.

“That principle is what sets us apart,” Tafsik said. “We are prepared to do what is right for Jewish families, even when it comes at a cost to us.”

The Plan B Initiative has been in development since early 2025. Tafsik officials said they spent months researching potential destinations and consulting with Jewish leaders and communities around the world. Based on safety, political stability, and quality of Jewish life, two locations emerged as clear standouts: Israel and Panama.

Israel was described as the obvious option, given its centrality to Jewish life and identity. Panama, Tafsik said, emerged as a less expected but compelling alternative. The organization stated that it does not view U.S. destinations such as Florida or Texas as viable long term solutions, though it did not elaborate publicly on those assessments.

Interest in the Panama option was demonstrated during a recent Zoom event hosted by Tafsik titled “All About Panama.” According to the organization, 350 people registered within four days. Speakers included a Chabad rabbi who addressed Jewish communal life, infrastructure, and cost of living in Panama.

Attendees, Tafsik said, responded with surprise and relief at the strength and stability of Jewish life in the country.

Building on that interest, Tafsik has partnered with a Jewish, kosher Panamanian tour operator to develop a custom itinerary focused on Jewish life, community institutions, schools, synagogues, and security. The resulting trip, branded “Tafsik in Panama,” is capped at 20 participants.

The trip is scheduled for February 20 to 25, 2026. Flights are not included, and participants may arrive early or extend their stay independently. Tafsik Executive Director Amir Epstein and Head of Legal Jacqueline Lewis are expected to attend.

Tafsik officials said the goal of the trip is not tourism, but firsthand evaluation.

“We want people to see for themselves,” the organization said. “Panama’s Jewish communities repeatedly tell us that there is no antisemitism there. We heard it again and again during our research.”

The organization stressed that Plan B does not replace its existing advocacy work in Canada. Tafsik says it will continue confronting antisemitism through legal action, public demonstrations, and direct engagement with authorities.

Instead, the initiative reflects what Tafsik describes as a more honest and comprehensive response to the current moment.

“The Jewish community is not monolithic,” Tafsik said. “Some will stay and fight. Some feel they cannot. Our responsibility is to stand with both.”

As interest in the Panama trip continues to grow, Tafsik said it expects the Plan B Initiative to expand, potentially including additional resources, consultations, and destinations. For now, the organization says its focus remains on ensuring Jewish families are informed, supported, and never left to navigate these decisions alone.