Ontario announces support for Summer Programs to Combat Anti-Semitism in Schools

BY PAUL JUNOR

There will be $327,000 spent on new training initiatives and resources that educators can use to help students fight against anti-Semitism. The press release revealed that there were 296 police-reported incidents in Canada of anti-Semitic attacks in 2019 according to Statistics Canada data. The announcement was made with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies alongside MPP’s: Robin Martin, Gila Martow, and Stephen Leece, Ontario Minister of Education.

Minister Leece states, “Anti-Semitism is a scourge and historic evil that must be eradicated from our schools and from our communities. The funding will go towards two summer learning programs, which will be characterized by the following: 

• The ‘Unpacking Intolerance: Equity and Diversity Training for Educators’ program, which will provide professional development sessions to help educators learn about dismantling systems of oppression and anti-Semitism in homes, schools and communities.
• The ‘Tour for Humanity Virtual Summer Camp’ which will help students learn about human rights, dealing with injustice, and encourage ideas for creating positive change.

Minister Leece elaborates further, “We will fight anti-Semitism with every tool available to us to ensure Jewish students feel safe and supported in Ontario schools. That is why we are partnering with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal  Centre for Holocaust Studies to strengthen training for educators and supports for students, with the aim of promoting respect for all students, irrespective of their faith or heritage.”

The Ontario government had previously announced in March 2021 that it would be spending $1.6 million on a new Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Grant program that would be geared to bring recognition of the impact of racism and hate.

In the press release, Michael Levitt (President and CEO, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies states), “We are thankful to the Ontario government for the funding provided to our organization, which will help advance our work in delivering education programs that teach about the Holocaust, human rights and the importance of standing up against anti-Semitism. Combating hate starts with education. Amid  rising anti-Semitism, it is so important for young people to learn about the consequences of hate and be both inspired and empowered to  stand against it.”

Gila Martow, MPP for Thornhill notes, “No country is perfect, but what’s unique about Canada is our ability to learn from previous mistakes. I’m proud our government is partnering with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for Holocaust Studies to help students and educators alike learn to identify the root causes of hate from a Canadian perspective and equip them with the skills and knowledge to prevent it from taking hold.”

Robin Martin, MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence observes, “Last year, the Ontario government formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of anti-Semitism. Now we are taking concrete action to ensure our classrooms are safe learning environments for all students. Together, we will continue to stand against the scourge of anti-Semitism, hate, and intolerance in all of its forms.”