We write on behalf of members of the Canadian Jewish naturopathic community and their allies to raise a matter of serious ethical concern involving the leadership of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).x

In November 2025, the Chief Executive Officer of the CAND, Ms. Gemma Beierback, along with the editorial team, was formally and explicitly warned that an upcoming editorial in the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors Journal (CANDJ) posed a significant risk of harm to the Canadian Jewish Community. Despite this timely and clear notification, no corrective action was taken, and the editorial proceeded to publication. The editorial in question addressed the ongoing conflict in Israel in a manner that was markedly biased and wholly inappropriate for a professional, scientific publication. More critically, it caused profound harm by alienating and marginalizing Jewish members of our profession, undermining their sense of belonging and safety within what should be an inclusive national association. The editorial remains accessible here: https://candjournal.ca/index.php/candj/article/view/230/487

In response to the concerns raised, CAND leadership has relied on procedural deflections—most notably invoking “editorial independence”—to avoid accountability for what constitutes a fundamental failure of organizational stewardship and ethical oversight. This response reflects a troubling lack of moral leadership and has resulted in a complete erosion of trust.

As a consequence of these actions and inactions:

Loss of Confidence: Jewish members and their allies no longer have confidence in the CEO’s ability to lead a national organization committed to equity, inclusion, and professional integrity.
Impending Membership Withdrawal: A substantial and growing number of members are prepared to withdraw their membership and support from the CAND.
Calls for Accountability: We are formally calling for the immediate resignation of the CEO, the full retraction of the editorial, and a clear, unambiguous public apology to Jewish members, patients, and all those harmed by this publication.
 

We remain deeply committed to a profession grounded in integrity, ethical responsibility, and respect for human dignity. We urge you to reflect carefully on how this situation reflects upon CAND’s leadership and its stated commitment to these core values.

Sincerely,

Jewish Naturopathic Doctors and Allies