Campus Advocacy
What We Do
Alongside our Canadian Hillel partners, CIJA works hard to support Jewish life on campus. Through partnering with university administrations, student representative bodies, and student movements, we aim to make the university experience more inclusive and accessible and to build meaningful collaborations between Canadian and Israeli researchers.
Campus Priorities
CIJA works to protect the quality of Jewish life in Canada through advocacy. Working alongside Canadian Hillels and other Jewish campus organizations and individuals, CIJA diligently supports Jewish life on campus. We consult with university administrations, student representative bodies, and faculty groups to make the university experience more inclusive, equitable, and accessible for all. We also see the importance of fostering meaningful collaborations between Canadian and Israeli researchers as part of contributing to Canadian society more broadly. Our Campus Priorities Guide offers a brief overview of how CIJA can work in partnership with Canadian postsecondary institutions by providing Jewish community perspectives, addressing communal Jewish needs, and serving as a springboard for future conversations.
Making Campus More Inclusive
Enhancing Canada-Israel Academic Collaboration
More Campus Resources
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.
Faculty
We work closely with the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA) as part of our holistic approach to addressing Jewish community concerns on campus. NECA is a non-partisan group of Jewish and non-Jewish academics who share concerns about rising antisemitism on campus. They advocate for strengthening academic freedom, viewpoint diversity, and inclusion on Canadian campuses. They work to protect and teach about Jewish identity as well as combat antisemitism.
Local Hillels
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.
Campus Life and the Israel-Hamas War
The Jewish campus community is experiencing unprecedented levels of antisemitism and serious concerns for personal safety. The following resources are for community members looking to do more to address the situation on our Canadian universities and college campuses.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Our training is designed for institutions and organizations who want to learn more about Jewish people and the impact of antisemitism, enhance their intercultural competency, and execute truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive anti-racism and anti-oppression strategies that do not marginalize, omit, or exclude Jews.
Holiday Messaging Guide
In an inclusive environment, it’s crucial to keep in mind the unique needs of the Jewish campus community and to demonstrate that they are “seen” by the institution. This not only includes appropriate academic accommodations related to Jewish holidays but also culturally sensitive messaging by the institution to the campus community.
Resources to Combat BDS
Initiatives to boycott Israel (including Israeli universities), divest from Israeli companies, and otherwise sanction Israelis and supporters of Israel are based on libels against Israel. Such initiatives aim to debilitate Israel and intimidate Jewish staff, faculty, and students at Canadian institutions of higher learning.
Looking for K-12 Classroom Resources?
Unlearn It is a resource hub for educators and parents to learn about, identify, and take action to address antisemitism.
Report Hate
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.