The international grassroots civil rights movement #EndJewHatred is proud to announce a recent victory after the unanimous vote last week by the Ottawa Carleton District School Board to appoint a full-time Jewish Equity Coach and allocate a budget for that new position. The unanimous vote comes in response to a long-standing problem of pervasive antisemitism in the Ottawa public school system and was encouraged by the activism by students and parents in the Ottawa community supported by #EndJewHatred.
Many community activists, teachers, parents, and students came together to work tirelessly to make ensure schools in Ottawa are fully inclusive and safe learning environments.
“Last week, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) came together in unanimous support to hire a Jewish Equity Coach to help combat antisemitism in schools,” said Lisa Levitan, who led this campaign by initiating the Rise Up Ottawa Conference in November 2022 which launched the End Jew Hatred movement in Ottawa. “OCDSB made history as they were the first Ontario school board to come together to unanimously say Jews do count.”
Ensuring that a Jewish voice will now be on the Equity Team means that the Jewish lived experience can better inform the understanding of antisemitism. A Jewish Equity Coach can help educate both students and staff, while also being a support for anyone experiencing antisemitism in school.
“This is an astounding victory led by passionate members of the Jewish community in Canada,” said Brooke Goldstein, co-founder of the End Jew Hatred movement. “We will not stop until every Jewish family feels safe to send their children into a safe learning environment where their rights are protected and their identity is respected.”