7th Issue

As science and technology reshape education and careers, the humanities face growing decline despite their essential role in cultivating empathy, critical thinking, creativity, and meaning. Arguing that human flourishing depends on both technical and cultural knowledge, Leon Fine urges a future where STEM and the humanities are pursued together rather than treated as competing paths.

Humanity's greatest danger may lie not in artificial intelligence but in an ancient brain wired for survival in a vastly different world. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and evolutionary theory, this film explores how fear and manipulation exploit our cognitive biases, proposing that carefully governed AI could help counter these limitations and strengthen humanity's capacity for wiser decision-making.

Observant Jews and Muslims in America are forging parallel paths that balance deep religious commitment with participation in a diverse, pluralistic society. By adapting tradition without abandoning identity, both communities are creating shared models of belonging that challenge assimilation, embrace cultural hybridity, and offer valuable lessons in coexistence, resilience, and mutual understanding.

A thought-provoking exploration of kitsch as more than bad taste, arguing that sentimental, superficial aesthetics can erode critical thinking, authenticity, and democratic culture. Through art, politics, architecture, and education, Pincus examines how spectacle and cliché shape public life, ultimately making the case that curiosity, creativity, and humanistic education are the strongest defenses against manipulation and authoritarianism.

A provocative examination of how the destruction of homes, infrastructure, farmland, and cultural sites can become a method of erasing a people. Blending architecture, law, history, and politics, it argues that the reshaping of landscapes is not merely collateral damage but a powerful instrument of displacement, domination, and the struggle over memory, identity, and survival.

Amid rising antisemitism and deepening polarization, Saks argues that lasting security depends not on isolation but on rebuilding trust through pluralism, civic engagement, and shared responsibility. Saks calls for confronting hate while strengthening democratic values, fostering dialogue, and pursuing a future in which Jewish identity, Canadian belonging, and support for peace can coexist.

At a time of deep tension between Israel and the Diaspora, Hess argues that Jewish peoplehood must become the foundation for renewing connection. Hess explores how Israel’s successes and failures shape Jewish identity worldwide, and calls for a more pluralistic, democratic, and inclusive Israeli society that strengthens rather than weakens bonds with Jews everywhere.

A visionary conductor, composer, and educator reshaped classical music through fearless programming, passionate advocacy for living composers, and a lifelong commitment to music education. Combining artistic excellence with innovation, mentorship, and community engagement, he inspired generations of musicians and audiences while leaving an enduring legacy that transformed orchestras and broadened the reach of classical music.

A heartfelt remembrance of a conductor whose warmth, mentorship, and artistic vision transformed an orchestra and the lives of its musicians. Blending personal memories with reflections on music’s lasting power, it celebrates a legacy built not only on extraordinary performances but on inspiring others to listen deeply, create fearlessly, and carry music beyond the final note.

A tribute to a conductor whose artistry, leadership, and humanity left an enduring mark on generations of musicians. Renowned for bringing fresh insight to familiar works, he inspired excellence through curiosity, collaboration, and deep musical conviction, transforming not only performances but also the people around him.

A moving portrait of a Holocaust survivor whose resilience, warmth, and optimism endured despite unimaginable suffering. Through friendship, humour, music, and generosity, he built a rich life after the war, demonstrating the power of courage, compassion, and the human spirit to overcome even the darkest experiences.