CIJA works directly with university and college administrations to identify strategies and support implementation of policies that address antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. Our experts serve as valuable resources to university administrators, including university Presidents’ offices, EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) offices, campus security, university communications and others, as they work to prevent hate on campus. CIJA also partners with faculty organizations and student representative bodies in our efforts to ensure the Jewish community at institutions of higher learning enjoy a rewarding, safe and inclusive campus experience.
Canada and Israel benefit from academic partnerships between the two countries, through research collaboration and student / faculty mobility. CIJA serves as an experienced point of connection among administrations, faculties, and scholars in Canada and Israel as institutions increase their offerings in these areas. Facilitated by CIJA, Canadian university administrators can build and enhance productive relationships through delegations to Israel as they leverage newly formed and established connections with Israeli institutions.
To learn more about CIJA’s work on campus, please contact:
Scott Goldstein
Director, University Relations
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
[email protected]
The Jewish campus community is experiencing unprecedented levels of antisemitism and serious concerns for personal safety. The following resources are for concerned community members looking to do more to address concerns regarding the situation on our Canadian universities and college campuses.
Reports that raise concerns over safety and harassment have the greatest potential to be taken seriously by the institution. Hillels on campuses across Canada help students file formal complaints with their university administrators. CIJA supports students through the reporting process at campuses without a Hillel presence.
Parents, please share these tips with your student-aged children:
For non-students who want to take action, here are some important steps to consider:
For more resources, questions, and connections with Hillel or university representatives, please contact:
Scott Goldstein
Director, University Relations
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
[email protected]
To be customized before sending. Recommended recipients based on relevance and your preference: University President’s Office, University Dean, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Alumni Office, Board of Governors Chair.
I am concerned after hearing reports from students, staff, and faculty feeling targeted by hate and harassment based on their identity at our university campuses. They continue to report feeling threatened and afraid in common spaces. Students are scared to go to class and to express their views. Their fear is not that their ideas will be subjected to uncomfortable critical inquiry, but that expressing their ideas will endanger their physical safety or lead to retaliation by instructors. This cannot be allowed to continue.
Some examples of what my community has witnessed on Canadian campuses and heard from Jewish campus community members these past few weeks include:
Jewish people in Canada and around the world are reeling from the heinous terrorist attacks committed by Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023. This series of massacres, rapes, and kidnappings targeted innocent civilians, from infants to the elderly, and has sparked a marked increase in antisemitism –including on Canadian campuses. As I’m sure you are aware, Hamas has, for more than 20 years, been designated as a terrorist entity by Canada. Their objectives, as laid out in their founding Charter are the annihilation of Jews and the destruction of the Jewish state.
I am calling on your institution [my alma mater/where my child is a student] to ensure the concerns of the Jewish campus community are immediately addressed by:
Our community institutions – campus Hillels, local Jewish Federations, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) – are available as partners and resources to you during this difficult time. I recommend you contact CIJA (Scott Goldstein, Director of University Relations at CIJA, [email protected]) to ensure you are connected with all relevant Jewish community resources.
Sincerely,
[your name and details]
Israel Young Leaders Program
CIJA’s Israel Young Leaders Program (IYLP) is a highly competitive experiential learning initiative that provides Canadian student leaders with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about Israel through first-hand experience in a holistic and intellectually honest fashion. Participants spend seven days on the ground learning about Israeli history, society, politics, culture, and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Learn more
Hillel is the Jewish community organization mandated to protect and facilitate Jewish campus life and lead advocacy efforts that ensure Jewish students feel safe at all Canadian colleges and universities. Please contact your local Hillel for any questions or concerns related to Jewish student issues on Canadian campuses.
Whether online or in the real world, we track incidents of hate to measure and combat antisemitism in Canada. Use the form below to report incidence of hate to CIJA to help combat antisemitism in your community.