A unique event hosted by the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law, the inaugural Winograd Symposium on Law and Jewish Life was held on May 3, 2026, at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. The event brought together students from across Canada to present original research exploring legal issues affecting the Jewish community. A project of the newly established Winograd Initiative for the Study of Hate Speech and Antisemitism, the symposium was organized by Dr. Kenneth Grad, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law and Lead Jurist of the Initiative.
The symposium featured scholarly research and meaningful dialogue in a respectful and inclusive environment, where students, faculty, and community members shared ideas and explored complex questions raised by this important field of study.
“The symposium reflected exactly what we hoped the Winograd Initiative could become—a national forum where emerging scholars engage thoughtfully with difficult legal questions affecting Jewish life while learning from one another," said Grad. "The research quality exceeded our expectations, and it was tremendously encouraging to see students contribute such original and thoughtful work. The future of scholarship on law and Jewish life looks very bright.”
The Winograd Initiative was established at the UM Faculty of Law in the fall of 2025 through the generous support of UM alumni Chuck and Libby Winograd. The Initiative aims to advance research, academic engagement, and community collaboration pertaining to antisemitism, hate speech, and Jewish life.
A total of 18 students presented papers at the symposium across four thematic panels moderated by members of the Faculty of Law community. The presentations sparked lively and insightful discussion among the students, faculty, and attendees. Panel topics included Community Impacts and Lived Realities; Definitions and Legal Frameworks; Constitutional Law, Rights, and Institutional Governance; and Law, Culture, and Legal Interpretation.
