CIJA Disappointed by TDSB Failure to Address Antisemitism in Proposed Strategy for Combating Hate and Racism

Toronto, ON – June 11, 2024 – On June 5, the TDSB Program and School Services Committee met to discuss an update to the TDSB’s Student Learning Strategy for Combatting Hate and Racism and the inclusion of an “anti-Palestinian racism” definition. The discussion ended without conclusion or the opportunity for the organized Jewish community to bring delegates to speak. Although a follow-up meeting is scheduled, Trustees have determined that delegates from the organized Jewish community will not be able to respond.

In response, Jess Burke, Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Training, Liaison to 2SLGBTQIA+ Partnerships, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement: 

"The proposed Toronto District School Board (TDSB) strategy for combating hate and racism fails to address antisemitism in the TSDB system, amidst an alarming increase in anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli hate both within the school board and the City of Toronto. While the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism has been adopted by the TDSB, the school board has failed to align IHRA with its equity policy.

"With respect to the adoption of the term "anti-Palestinian racism," any definition that seeks to dispute the identity of Jews and Israeli-Canadians as another minority group undermines any attempt to create a safe and inclusive environment for all. The TDSB is effectively policing the identity of Jewish and Israeli students, educators, and staff in non-equitable ways. Trustees must vote against the proposed strategy and seek to adopt a more inclusive approach for all identities within the TSDB.   

"On June 5, TDSB Trustees met to review and vote on the proposed Strategy for Combatting Hate and Racism for the 2024-25 academic year. Community members who participated as delegates included a line-up of well-appointed, tokenized Jews who were mobilized in a concerted effort to speak over mainstream Jewish community voices, and who used this opportunity to repeat disinformation and promote a definition of anti-Palestinian racism that is harmful, seeks to redefine a consensus definition of antisemitism, and borders on unconstitutional.   

"For this reason, it is critical that future hearings on the proposed strategy include delegates who represent mainstream Jewish community voices. With a follow-up meeting now scheduled for Tuesday, June 18, we would request that the organized Jewish community, which was not given the same opportunity to address the committee as other groups, be granted a forum to share our perspectives with Trustees."  

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Additional Background 

• The IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and / or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities." Full details and contemporary examples of antisemitism can be found here. 
  • The IHRA working definition of antisemitism provides policymakers, law enforcement, and community leaders a tool to identify, understand, and combat contemporary forms of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere. IHRA is the consensus definition of antisemitism that best reflects the lived experience of Jews today. Developed by IHRA’s Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial, it is grounded in the research of the world’s foremost experts on antisemitism and the Holocaust and is supported by the UN, EU, and 35 countries including the US and Canada. It is also used by Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Press Release: Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes in Toronto More than Doubled In 2023
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• Press Release: Disturbing surge in antisemitic discourse in Canada tied to online activity, reveals joint NCRI and CIJA study  
• Press Release: Top Jewish Advocacy Organizations Form J7 Global Task Force to Fight Antisemitism       
• CIJA policy asks related to fighting antisemitism:  
  • Modernizing the Federal Security Infrastructure Program 
  • Launch the Community Security Trust to improve SIP program 
  • Protect the Jewish Community 
  • Fight online hate and radicalization 
  • Launch a national social media literacy campaign 
  • Close the legal gap on hate speech 
• 91 percent of Canadian Jews believe Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state 2024 survey Jews and Israel 2024 Survey: Ten Further Insights | Canadian Jewish Studies / Études juives canadiennes (yorku.ca)