Consensus de la communauté juive : Il est urgent de faire progresser la stratégie antisémitisme du TDSB

Toronto (Ontario) – 12 février 2025 – Aujourd’hui, le Comité des politiques et de la planification du Conseil scolaire du district de Toronto (TDSB) votera pour recevoir les commentaires du Centre d’affirmation des identités juives et de lutte contre antisémitisme afin de lutter contre la haine croissante des Juifs dans les écoles du TDSB. consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes La Fédération UJA du Grand Toronto, le Musée de l'Holocauste de Toronto, les parents et les étudiants exhortent le Comité à recevoir le rapport - dans son intégralité sans modifications - et à le soumettre à l'approbation du Conseil d'administration pour faire progresser l'élaboration d'un rapport complet. antisémitisme stratégie sans délai.

Les résultats publiés constituent un pas en avant dans la lutte contre la hausse alarmante des incidents antisémites dans les écoles. Enracinés dans les expériences vécues Juifs canadiens et de divers groupes communautaires qui ont participé à des mois de consultations, ce document reflète les préoccupations et les priorités de notre communauté et nous permet de nous reconnaître dans les actions recommandées.

CITATIONS

Michelle Stock, vice-présidente, Ontario, Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes (CIJA) :

« Au cours de plusieurs mois de consultations, divers groupes et individus juifs ont partagé leurs expériences de haine, de préjugés, de harcèlement et d’exclusion simplement parce qu’ils sont juifs. Le préjudice subi par les juifs dans les écoles publiques est réel et a de graves conséquences. Il est inadmissible que des voix extrémistes tentent de dire aux juifs ce qui est ou n’est pas antisémite. Nier ou minimiser la réalité de antisémitisme Il s’agit en fin de compte d’une complicité dans l’intimidation et la marginalisation des étudiants juifs, et cela ne peut pas continuer.

« La stratégie affirme que la grande majorité des Canadiens juifs identifient Israël comme la patrie ancestrale du peuple juif et croient au droit de l'État juif à exister, confirmant qu'il s'agit d'une valeur fondamentale de l'identité juive et démontrant pourquoi l'Alliance internationale pour la mémoire de l'Holocauste ( AIMH ) Définition pratique de antisémitisme est la définition consensuelle qui reflète le mieux l’expérience vécue des Juifs aujourd’hui.

« Nous reconnaissons que l’identité juive s’étend au-delà de la religion, et il est essentiel que toutes les identités juives soient reconnues et respectées au sein du TDSB. Plus important encore, les élèves juifs doivent non seulement disposer d’espaces sûrs, mais aussi être accueillis et inclus dans tous les espaces du TDSB, sans ségrégation.
« Il est essentiel que les administrateurs reçoivent l’affirmation des identités juives et la prise en compte des antisémitisme stratégie sans amendements qui pourraient affaiblir son impact.

Antisemitism must be confronted and addressed without delay, so that students can focus on academic achievement and schools can become places of respect and safety for people of all faiths, cultures, and national origins.
“Believe us when we tell you about the antisemitism we face and what needs to be done to ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff feel safe, respected, and heard.”

Dan Held, Chief Program Officer, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto:

"The TDSB was right to bring forward this important report. And trustees would be right to pass it without amendment and without delay. The TDSB has a responsibility to protect all students from bullying, harassment, and marginalization. This is why it is imperative to reject extreme voices that would attempt to undermine this important step forward in safeguarding the wellbeing of Jewish students. We call on TDSB trustees to take long overdue action to protect Jewish students, beginning by passing this report in its entirety.”

Dara Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Holocaust Museum and Ontario Jewish Archives:

“As a TDSB parent and Executive Director of the Toronto Holocaust Museum and Ontario Jewish Archives, I strongly support the acceptance of this report. It reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing Jewish students and teachers in the TDSB and outlines thoughtful, strategic approaches to address them. Providing students, educators, administrators, and trustees with meaningful education about Jewish history and identity will strengthen their ability to respond to the current moment with knowledge, sensitivity, and compassion.”

Cole Fisher, TDSB Student:

“As a Jewish student in the TDSB, I have experienced firsthand the rise in antisemitism that this report seeks to address. Since October 7th, I have heard students chanting “Death to Jews” in my school hallways. I have seen swastikas drawn on desks, Jewish students threatened with violence, and blatant hostility toward those who express any connection to their Jewish identity. Time and time again, these incidents have been brushed aside and not dealt with properly. 

“This report is an important step in ensuring that Jewish students like me can exist safely in our schools. The recognition of modern antisemitism, particularly when anti-Zionist rhetoric crosses into collective blame and conspiracy theories, is crucial. Last school year, teachers often allowed discussions in class where Jewish students were made to justify their existence and where Israel was demonized in ways that mirrored historical antisemitic tropes. The IHRA definition of antisemitism must be actively applied to help distinguish between legitimate political criticism and speech that fosters hate against Jewish students.

“One of the most critical aspects of this report is its focus on Holocaust education for both teachers and students. Too many of my peers graduate without even knowing how many people died in the Holocaust, despite taking Grade 10 history. I remember an instance last year where, during a school-wide morning announcement about the Holocaust, a peer of mine laughed and said, “That didn’t happen.” Experiences like this show how dangerously little awareness there is. This report’s commitment to strengthening Holocaust education will help prevent ignorance from fueling more antisemitism. Additionally, the inclusion of more Jewish voices in equity work is long overdue. Right now, only one member of the TDSB’s equity board is Jewish. This report will also make reporting antisemitism easier and more accessible for Jewish students and will hopefully allow for administrators to more effectively address antisemitic incidents.

“I support the TDSB’s commitment to stronger reporting mechanisms, professional learning for staff, and increased Jewish representation in equity work. But these policies must have real enforcement. Jewish students should not have to fight alone to have our concerns taken seriously. Schools must ensure that every act of antisemitism, whether it’s hate-speech, vandalism, or threats, is treated with the same urgency as any other form of racism or discrimination.

“Most importantly, we need action, not just words. The TDSB must ensure this report leads to tangible change, so no Jewish student fears for their safety or hides their identity at school. We deserve to feel safe, respected, and included, just like everyone else.”

David R. Mandel, Ph.D., father of TDSB students, second-generation Holocaust Survivor, cognitive psychologist, and author of Tackle:

“The Jewish community within the TDSB has long been stuck between a rock and a hard place. While antisemitism has skyrocketed in Toronto and across Canada, Jews have traditionally been excluded from Equity-based approaches to combat prejudice and discrimination. The TDSB's current plan being discussed today is far from perfect, but it should nevertheless be supported with important caveats. I support it because it reaffirms the TDSB's commitment to the IHRA definition of antisemitism and it explicitly acknowledges that speech and acts aimed at demonizing Israel and stigmatizing Jews who support and take pride in the Jewish state – namely, over 90% of the Jewish community in Canada – are antisemitic. This acknowledgement is vital, and I am delighted to see it reflected in the document. For the document to have meaning, however, its implementation must be resolute and not undercut by conflicting policies, such as a misguided commitment to protecting narratives that are hostile to the broader Jewish community.”

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Contexte supplémentaire

• Communiqué de presse : Le CIJA salue la stratégie antisémitisme du TDSB, première étape dans la lutte contre la haine des juifs dans les écoles publiques
• Communiqué de presse : Le CIJA est déçu que le TDSB n'ait pas abordé la question de l'antisémitisme dans la stratégie proposée pour lutter contre la haine et le racisme
• Communiqué de presse : "Les administrateurs du TDSB doivent voter NON - La CHR ignore l'antisémitisme
• Communiqué de presse : antisémitisme au Toronto District School Board