Mitchell Consky, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Canadian Jewish News

In response to Ontario’s unprecedented takeover of several school boards, Jewish educators and community leaders are cautiously optimistic about renewed government efforts to address rising antisemitism and Holocaust distortion in schools.

“We all know this is a problem,” said Dara Solomon, executive director of the Toronto Holocaust Museum. “We hear it every day. We have lots of examples from people in our lives and from Jewish teachers who are sharing with us as well. Ultimately, we’re happy that the ministry is serious about addressing antisemitism at the [Toronto District School Board] and other boards where it’s a problem.”

The provincial government identified antisemitism as a key mandate for the takeover, alongside fiscal mismanagement. Recent data underscores the urgency: a federal report by Canadian sociologist Robert Brym found that more than 40 per cent of antisemitic incidents in Ontario schools involved Nazi symbols or Holocaust denial, completely disconnected from geopolitical tensions.

Brym described the findings as shocking: “Young kids are spouting Nazi slogans, telling Jewish kids that Hitler should have finished the job; it’s just appalling and surprising.” He recommended rigorous reporting mechanisms, mandatory teacher education and clear anti-harassment policies.

“Administrators and teachers fear backlash,” Brym told The CJN, emphasizing the need for whistleblower protections.

Updating Holocaust curriculum

Carrie Swartz, director of museum experience at the Toronto Holocaust Museum, detailed her organization’s advisory role with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s updated Grade 10 Holocaust curriculum, which is being delayed for one year as the ministry reworks it. 

“We had two or three rounds with the ministry,” Swartz explained. “They presented aspects of the Grade 10 curriculum and we provided feedback in discussion sessions. The ministry was responsive, incorporating all our suggestions.”

Swartz highlighted key curriculum updates: “In the past, the curriculum was quite vague, and teachers could potentially mention the Holocaust without teaching some of its basic facts. Given today’s climate and the rise in Holocaust distortion, denial and conflation, it’s really important that students gain a solid understanding of the historical facts about the Holocaust.” 

The updated curriculum emphasizes Holocaust accuracy, Canadian antisemitism and extremist ideologies, she explained. 

Dan Aviv, principal and chief educator at ADRABA, an online Jewish high school program based in Toronto and serving all of Ontario, says the curriculum update is long overdue. “It’s great that they’re doing it, but what’s taking so long?” he said, mentioning that the last curriculum update was from 2018, and no updated resources have been available since. 

Aviv told The CJN that ADRABA uses the compulsory Grade 10 curriculum, but goes into deeper detail, focusing on contemporary antisemitism, radical ideology and detailed recounts of the Shoah—all expansions beyond the history modules in need of updating. “We’ve been doing it this way for a while, but what about everyone else?”

Aviv said history teachers in Ontario public schools aren’t given the guidelines to dive deeper.

Given the spike in what Aviv called “old-school antisemitism”—referring to the Hitler-endorsing antisemitic incidents detailed in Brym’s report—Aviv stressed that there’s no time to wait, and that Canadian public school teachers “need resources now.” 

In an email statement from the ministry of education, press secretary Emma Testani told The CJN that a major goal in the takeover is removing politics from the classroom and making sure antisemitism has no place in schools. 

Swartz believes that “not rushing” the new curriculum is an opportunity to properly cover Jewish history and demonstrate how it applies to contemporary antisemitism. 

Leora Schaeffer, executive director at the Canadian office of Facing History and Ourselves, emphasized the necessity of thorough teacher training before the updated curriculum implementation, now delayed until fall 2026. 

“Teachers must feel prepared to teach the content, to teach it well, to teach in meaningful ways. If teachers don’t feel prepared, that is a missed opportunity,” Schaeffer said. She further explained the importance of Holocaust education, stating, “Young people need to recognize the fragility of democracy and the significance of standing against hate and bigotry, specifically antisemitism.”

Field trip concerns and museum response

Field trips to the Toronto Holocaust Museum have continued despite recent tensions regarding class trips, notably the backlash around the Grassy Narrows River Run, which saw students repeating anti-Israel chants. The controversy has caused some school boards to take longer pauses when approving field trips.

Solomon explained the museum’s current field trip status: “We recently completed paperwork to remain an approved vendor. We don’t foresee issues. CDSB [Catholic District School Board] draws the largest numbers to the museum. We’re continuously strengthening relationships, helping educators understand we are a resource for teachers and students.”

In describing Education Minister Paul Calandra’s recent visit to the Toronto Holocaust Museum on July 31, Solomon added, “He was incredibly engaged and asked lots of questions about Holocaust education and our reach.”

Combatting misinformation online

Michelle Fishman, the director of marketing and communications for the Toronto Holocaust Museum, detailed an upcoming federally funded online misinformation campaign.

“People are getting their news from social media without verifying sources,” Fishman explained. “Our campaign is about giving people the critical-thinking skills they need to navigate as digital citizens. It’s not just about deciding what’s fact and what’s fiction, but about encouraging people to think twice, to verify sources and to consider multiple narratives.”

Fishman confirmed a federal grant of $379,000 supports this initiative, aiming to “meet young people where they are” through innovative digital content. She highlighted the campaign’s goal as giving young Canadians “practical tools to identify misinformation and curb the spread of hate.” Fishman further explained the need to be creative and relevant, noting, “We’re really showcasing how we can do this type of education online because we know that we need to meet people where they’re at.”

Board management amid provincial takeover

Provincial supervisors were appointed by the ministry of education to manage the TDSB, the TCDSB, the Ottawa‑Carleton District School Board and the Dufferin‑Peel Catholic District School Board, following allegations of fiscal mismanagement and rising antisemitism. Their current roles involve overseeing daily operations and addressing issues identified as priorities by the provincial government. 

Trustees are currently restricted from responding to emails or speaking publicly due to these appointed supervisors overseeing board operations.

Communication with the ministry remains limited post-takeover. Testani, press secretary for Education Minister Calandra, stated that appointed supervisors are “focused on their mandates and not available for interviews.”

Hope for meaningful change

Community leaders remain hopeful that combined educational efforts will effectively address antisemitism and misinformation in Ontario schools. 

Solomon highlighted the museum’s role in connecting students directly with survivor testimonies, stating, “Students are really connecting with survivor testimony. These personal stories deeply impact them and help them understand the seriousness of the Holocaust.” She added, “We make the point intentionally: they’re learning a dark chapter of Jewish history, but they also see that the Jewish community thrives in Toronto.” 

Solomon emphasized the urgency of these educational efforts, noting, “When kids see Nazi symbols repeatedly online, they start to mean nothing. They need education to understand the real hatred behind those symbols.” Ultimately, Solomon concluded, “Education is key. Understanding the Holocaust deeply humanizes Jewish history, dispelling dangerous distortions and creating empathy.”

—

Learn more about our News Monitoring here.

---