This week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy | November 13, 2022

CIJA

|November 13, 2022

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During the last school year, on average, more than two antisemitic incidents per week were reported in GTA schools, many of them in middle schools. To support parents and educators dealing directly with this concerning trend, we launched Unlearn Antisemitism – an online resource hub for parents and teachers of children in grades 6-8 to understand, identify, and react appropriately to antisemitism.

Funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Education and developed in partnership with the Toronto Holocaust Museum and Facing History & Ourselves Canada, Unlearn Antisemitism provides educators and parents educational materials to help them frame constructive, courageous conversations centred on lived experiences of those facing antisemitism and online hate.

Unlearn Antisemitism is a free, bilingual resource hub for all who wish to learn more about antisemitism. Check it out at unlearnit.ca.

UNLEARN ANTISEMITISM

This week, Ontario became the first province to make Holocaust education mandatory at the elementary level. Speaking on the eve of the 84th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced that, starting September 2023, Holocaust education will be part of Ontario’s Grade 6 social studies curriculum. It is already covered in Grade 10 Canadian history.

The Ministry of Education will work with the Ontario College of Teachers to develop professional training to prepare teachers to handle the sensitive subject.

We are grateful to Minister Lecce for standing with the Jewish community and using education as an effective tool in the fight against antisemitism. Read the Ministry of Education's statement here.

Our statement

CIJA was made aware of controversial French rapper Freeze Corleone's upcoming performance Montreal. In 2020, he was strongly denounced in France for the fundamentally antisemitic lyrics of his songs, Universal Music France terminated their contract with the rapper; streaming platforms took down his hateful content; and he was subsequently investigated for incitement to hatred.

Despite this troubling history, citing “freedom of expression,” the Montreal concert venue has decided to proceed with the show. Many are disappointed to see that Corleone is now provided with a new platform for his hate, in Montreal. Read our full statement here.

Our statement