Café Philosophique | Is Political Radicalism a Danger to Democracy?

The Jewish Public Library presents its Café Philosophique 2025 : Is Political Radicalism a Danger to Democracy?

Step into the spirit of a Paris cafe in the 1940s — without leaving Montreal.

Join us for the second edition of the Jewish Public Library’s Philosophical Café, where timeless ideas meet the urgency of today’s world. This captivating evening will explore the thought of Hannah Arendt (1906–1975) — one of the 20th century’s most influential jewish political philosophers — through a fresh, modern Canadian lens.

In an age when public discourse feels increasingly polarized, Arendt’s insights into power, responsibility, and freedom feel more relevant than ever. Together, we’ll dive into her ideas to better understand the challenges facing democracy today — and what they can teach us about our own civic lives.

Guiding this thought-provoking conversation will be The Honorable Marc Gold, joined by Professor Samantha Rose Hill (Brooklyn Institute for Social Research), an internationally recognized Arendt scholar, Professor Charles Blattberg (Université de Montréal), whose work bridges philosophy and Canadian politics, and postdoctoral and researcher Milan Bernard (University of Montréal) whose research, inspired by Hannah Arendt, focuses on conflict in politics, the role of solidarity, and the contemporary ideological landscape.

Expect an evening of sharp ideas, meaningful dialogue, and the kind of intellectual spark that reminds us why thinking together still matters.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience philosophy come alive — thoughtful, relevant, and deeply engaging.

Evening Highlights

🗣️ Engaging Panel Discussion — Thought-provoking conversation led by our moderator and distinguished guests

💬 Interactive Q&A — Share your questions and join the dialogue

🎷 Live Jazz Performance — Immerse yourself in the timeless sounds of the era

✏️ Caricature Artist in Action — Watch the evening’s moments come to life through live sketches

🍷 Wine & Refreshments — Enjoy drinks available for purchase throughout the night

Generously sponsored by The Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation.

NEW FEATURE* Live Translations & Captions available throughout the discussion with wordly.ai. Attendees can listen to translated audio, read translated subtitles, read same language captions, and access text transcripts during the discussion. This feature is made possible through the generosity of Sharon Steinberg.