The alarming rise of antisemitism in Ontario classrooms has found a potential culprit, according to a major Jewish educational organization. Liberation75, a group dedicated to Holocaust education, points to identity politics as a driving force behind growing hostility toward Jewish students in the province’s schools.
In a report released Tuesday, the organization documented troubling incidents where Jewish students faced discrimination, harassment, and isolation. Perhaps most concerning are accounts of teachers and administrators failing to properly address these situations.
“What we’re seeing isn’t just playground teasing,” says Marilyn Sinclair, founder of Liberation75. “There’s a systematic misunderstanding of antisemitism that leaves Jewish students vulnerable in spaces meant to protect them.”
The report highlights how political tensions from the Israel-Hamas conflict have spilled into school hallways, creating hostile environments for Jewish youth. Liberation75 surveyed over 2,400 Jewish students and teachers across Canada, with Ontario responses revealing particularly troubling patterns.
Nearly 60 percent of Jewish students reported experiencing antisemitism at school, with incidents ranging from Holocaust jokes to physical intimidation. One student described being told “Hitler should have finished the job” by classmates who faced no consequences.
The organization connects these incidents to what they describe as an “oppressor-oppressed” framework increasingly common in diversity education. This approach, they argue, mischaracterizes Jews as universally privileged and undermines recognition of antisemitism as a form of discrimination.
“When schools teach a simplified view of social justice that places groups into rigid categories of ‘oppressor’ or ‘oppressed,’ Jewish experiences become invisible,” explains Daniel Held, a Jewish education expert consulted for the report. “It creates blind spots where antisemitism flourishes.”
The Ontario Ministry of Education has acknowledged the report, with Minister Stephen Lecce stating his commitment to ensuring Jewish students feel safe. “Hate in any form has no place in our schools,” Lecce said in a statement to reporters Tuesday. “We’re reviewing these findings carefully.”
This isn’t merely an abstract policy concern. For students like Rachel Cohen (name changed for privacy), a Grade 11 student in the GTA, the impact is immediate and personal. “After October 7th, some classmates started treating me differently,” she told me in a conversation about the report. “When I expressed concern about family in Israel, a teacher suggested I should ‘consider both sides’ before speaking up.”
The Ontario Human Rights Commission has previously identified antisemitism as a persistent form of discrimination in educational settings. Their 2018 guidance document recognized that Jewish students face unique challenges that aren’t always addressed in broader anti-racism frameworks.
Liberation75’s recommendations call for a comprehensive approach: improved teacher training on recognizing antisemitism, curriculum updates to address Jewish experiences with nuance, and clearer protocols for responding to incidents.
Critics argue that the report oversimplifies complex discussions about global politics and identity. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation noted that educators must navigate difficult conversations about international conflicts while maintaining inclusive classrooms.
“Teachers are doing their best in challenging circumstances,” said OSSTF president Karen Littlewood. “Many would welcome more resources and support to address these sensitive topics effectively.”
What stands out in the report is the disconnect between institutional responses and lived experiences. While many school boards have anti-hate policies in place, implementation appears inconsistent. Jewish students report being told that antisemitism doesn’t fall under anti-racism initiatives or being advised to keep their Jewish identity private to avoid problems.
The Toronto District School Board, Canada’s largest, has created a specific action plan to address antisemitism following similar concerns raised by parents and community organizations. Their approach includes mandatory staff training and curriculum resources specifically addressing Jewish experiences.
“Schools need to recognize that antisemitism operates differently from other forms of discrimination,” notes Jaime Kirzner-Roberts from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. “It often portrays Jews as powerful and controlling, which makes it harder to recognize when using traditional anti-racism frameworks.”
Beyond policy recommendations, Liberation75 emphasizes the importance of Holocaust education that connects historical antisemitism to contemporary manifestations. Their data suggests schools with robust Holocaust education programs report fewer antisemitic incidents.
The timing of this report coincides with rising global antisemitism following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Canadian police departments have reported significant increases in antisemitic hate crimes over the past six months.
For Ontario’s education system, the challenge now lies in responding meaningfully to these concerns while maintaining spaces for thoughtful discussion of complex global issues. As one Jewish teacher quoted in the report put it: “Students need to learn how to engage with difficult topics without resorting to hatred or discrimination.”
The province’s response will be closely watched by community organizations, parents, and students themselves—all looking for reassurance that Ontario schools can be safe learning environments for everyone, including Jewish students navigating an increasingly complicated world.
