CIJA Applauds TDSB Antisemitism Strategy as First Step in Combatting Jew-Hatred in Public Schools

Urges Committee to Receive Strategy in Full Without Changes and Send for Board Approval

Toronto, ON – February 10, 2025 – The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Policy and Planning Committee will vote this Wednesday to receive the Update: Affirming Jewish Identities & Addressing Antisemitism and the Combatting Hate and Racism Strategy.

The report follows months of consultations with Jewish community groups, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the Office of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, faith leaders, students, and TDSB Jewish Heritage committee members. It outlines key action items and priorities to address the surge in antisemitism across TDSB schools.

“This report is a step forward in addressing the troubling rise in antisemitic incidents in schools,” said Michelle Stock, Vice President, Ontario, CIJA. “It highlights the urgent need for a stronger, more inclusive approach to combatting hate, ensuring Jewish students and staff feel safe, respected, and heard.”

The findings reveal the troubling realities faced by many Jewish students who have faced exclusion, bias, and harassment – both in classrooms and on social media. Through affinity group sessions, students shared concerns about feeling unsafe and silenced in spaces where they should be able to express their Jewish identities without fear of judgment or discrimination.

“It is imperative that schools foster a climate where Jewish students feel safe to express their identities without fear of repercussions,” said Stock. “The experiences shared in the report highlight the need for greater empathy, understanding, and education regarding Jewish culture and history as well as the complexities surrounding modern-day Israel.”

The report also addresses antisemitism disguised as political discourse, particularly related to Israel and the Middle East conflict. “As outlined by the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism (IHRA), criticism of Israel becomes antisemitism when it crosses into collective blame of Jewish individuals or perpetuates harmful stereotypes and conspiracy theories,” said Stock. “This must be recognized and addressed in our schools.”

The TDSB report affirms that the vast majority of Canadian Jews believe in the right of the Jewish state to exist, confirming this a core value of Jewish identity. “We are pleased the TDSB acknowledged the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, which it adopted in 2018 as part of its equity policy,” said Stock. “We now want to see this definition applied within the context of addressing hate and bullying in their schools.”

Among the action items and priorities identified in the report, the TDSB committed to enhancing professional learning for staff, improving reporting mechanisms, and broadening the scope of education about Jewish history, contributions, and identity. “These steps are critical to fostering a safer and more inclusive environment,” said Stock. “However, there is still much work to be done, especially in ensuring effective and timely responses to antisemitic incidents. Jewish students and families must have confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously and addressed swiftly.”

CIJA stressed the importance of including representatives of the organized Jewish community who represent perspectives of the majority of Jewish Canadians in ongoing conversations. “We must work together to create educational spaces that are safe, inclusive, and truly reflective of the diversity of thought, identity, and lived experiences within the Jewish community,” Stock said.

CIJA recommends that the Policy and Planning Committee support the report – in full without changes – and move it forward for approval by the Board of Trustees, as part of ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism and hate in schools.

“We stand in solidarity with Jewish students, families, and organizations in calling for meaningful, lasting change,” said Stock. “We urge the TDSB to continue its efforts to combat antisemitism and foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding for all faiths, backgrounds, and identities.”

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Additional Background 

• Press Release: CIJA Disappointed by TDSB Failure to Address Antisemitism in Proposed Strategy for Combating Hate and Racism 
• Press Release: "TDSB Trustees Must Vote NO" - CHR Ignores Antisemitism 
• Press Release: Antisemitism at the Toronto District School Board