The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is currently embroiled in heated discussions surrounding its proposed strategy to combat antisemitism, outlined in the report titled "Affirming Jewish Identities & Addressing Antisemitism." The report was the center of attention during a virtual meeting of the Planning and Priorities Committee on Wednesday evening, where trustees, educators, parents, and advocacy groups expressed passionate emotions and divisive opinions.
Among the key findings of the report is the acknowledgment of growing concerns among community members about the resurgence of anti-Zionism, which has been described as a contemporary form of antisemitism. The report notes, "Criticism of Israel in schools can sometimes be rooted in antisemitic beliefs, particularly when it involves blaming Jewish individuals collectively for the circumstances in the Middle East or when it is accompanied by antisemitic slogans, images, physical intimidation, and comparisons to the Holocaust."
This significant report is part of the TDSB’s efforts to create safe learning environments for all students, with many parents echoing their fears over increasing incidents of antisemitism, including the display of swastikas and Nazi salutes within schools. The report, if accepted, still requires approval from the full board.
TDSB educator Jemila Pirbhai raised concerns during the meeting, expressing fears the report may limit students' capacity to discuss sensitive but important topics such as colonialism, Zionism, and the historical contexts surrounding them. “How can we teach our students to think critically and dialogue if you don’t allow all of them the space to voice their truths?” Pirbhai remarked.
A forceful presence at the meeting was Tamara Gottlieb from the Jewish Educators and Families Association, who firmly stated, “The Jewish community is correct to be deeply concerned about whether Jewish identity and our ancestral connection with Israel will be respected in TDSB schools,” underlining the emotional stakes for many Jewish families.
Support for the report was echoed by Toronto Coun. James Pasternak, who deemed it “a thoughtful and comprehensive road map” for addressing the pressing issue of antisemitism within schools. Pasternak emphasized the need to focus discussions on safeguarding classrooms from hatred, rather than using the platform to engage in broader Israeli-Palestinian conflicts.
Conversely, some attendees questioned the framing of the report’s recommendations, including Ben Losman, who asserted, “It is not automatically or inherently antisemitic to condemn the action of the Israeli state or its people, or to call for Palestinian liberation.” This perspective was mirrored by parent Susan Ferguson, who challenged the notion embedded within the report, arguing it could exclude diverse voices among Jewish students themselves.
The report has faced substantial pushback from various advocacy groups, including coalitions of Palestinian and Jewish organizations. They issued a joint statement labeling it “deeply flawed and dangerous.” The groups asserted it risks erasing Palestinian identities and silencing dissenting Jewish voices, particularly by equipping the school board with tools to mislabel legitimate criticism of Israeli policy as antisemitism. “This is a blatant attempt to silence criticism of Israeli policies by falsely equaling any criticism of the state of Israel with antisemitism, thereby endangering Palestinian students and stifling free speech within Toronto schools,” the coalition stated.
While prominent Jewish organizations such as the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and the Toronto Holocaust Museum have offered their support for the report, emphasizing the real harms faced by Jewish students, there remains valid apprehension about adequately addressing the multiplicity of voices within the school system.
Michelle Stock, vice-president of CIJA, commented on the report's need to reflect the true experiences of Jewish students, stating, “The harm experienced by Jews in public schools is real and has serious consequences.”
Board Chair Neethan Shan reminded participants during the meeting of the preliminary nature of the report, emphasizing it is based on what staff heard from community consultations but is not the ultimate strategy against antisemitism and hatred within schools. The larger mission is to forge a cohesive and inclusive educational environment reflecting the diverse realities and identities of all students.
With the matter still under deliberation, observers are anticipating how the board will balance these intense and conflicting viewpoints as it moves forward. The TDSB has committed to developing what it calls a “distinct strategy” aimed expressly at combating antisemitism, having cited numerous complaints from parents. The outcome of this dialogue will have lasting repercussions on how educational institutions approach discussions surrounding identity, history, and the pressing concerns of all their students.