Swastika, Hitler Salutes Reported at Toronto School
On Tuesday, February 1, at Charles H. Best Junior Middle School, two students displayed swastikas and, prior to that incident, students had performed the Hitler salute in front of classmates.
Toronto, ON— On Tuesday, February 1, at Charles H. Best Junior Middle School, two students displayed swastikas and, prior to that incident, students had performed the Hitler salute in front of classmates.
In response, Noah Shack, Vice President, GTA, at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) issued the following:
“The incidents reported at Charles H. Best Junior Middle School are absolutely unacceptable and represent just the latest examples of antisemitism manifesting in schools across the GTA and throughout the province. Antisemitic incidents like these have occurred on a weekly basis since the beginning of this school year.
“These most recent incidents underscore the need for impactful antisemitism education for middle school students, which the Ministry of Education announced two weeks ago. The TDSB is taking steps to address the situation at Charles H. Best and has seconded an antisemitism expert from CIJA to support its equity team in addressing this alarming trend.”
Pinchas Gutter Co-President of the Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD) added the following:
“The scourge of Jew-hatred is not confined to a single classroom, a single school, or a single board. What is happening in our schools is an indicator of what is happening in our communities. Antisemitism is plaguing our entire society, and we need concerted action to combat it in all its forms.
“As Survivors, we have seen firsthand the horrors of humanity’s darkest days. Holocaust education is critical to combat antisemitism and hate. We encourage the TDSB to continue to implement Holocaust education, including Survivor testimonies, so that the next generation will carry on the pledge: Never Again.”
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations across Canada.
Additional Background:
- Ontario Announces Plan to Combat Antisemitism in Schools
- Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for faith-based and cultural communities
- Ontario municipal leaders gather for antisemitism Summit – CIJA
- Toronto Jewish Community Raises Concerns About Massive Spike In Local Antisemitism
- CIJA welcomes Government of Canada decision to host summit to combat antisemitism
- UJA Community Security reports dangerous fivefold spike in antisemitic incidents
- Press Release: Toronto and York Region Hate Crime Statistics Underscore Troubling Persistence of Antisemitism – CIJA – The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
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