TORONTO, ON (May 30, 2017) – FSWC investigates a revelation made by the Toronto Sun,which revealed that a social work graduate at Ryerson University was denied athird-year placement at a Jewish organization.

According to the news report, Rebecca Katzman – whowaited to come forward until she was ready to graduate due to fear ofretaliation from the faculty – revealed that the School of Social Work’s fieldcoordinator refused to allow Katzman to be placed at either of the two Toronto-areaJewish organizations she was interested in because of their so-called“anti-Palestinian lean” and for being “in opposition” to the values of the school.

The university admits that this incident indeed took place however says that "Ryerson University and the School of Social Work took quick, thorough and responsive action". According to its President, Mohamed Lashemi, "the school of social work has confirmed to me that Prosserman JCC and UJA are indeed appropriate agencies to be considered for placement opportunities for their students".

FSWC is satisfied that despite the situation having taken place under the previous administration, President Lashemi has taken measures to investigate this issue and ensure it is immediately addressed. At the same time, FSWC encourages continuous sensitivity training for Ryerson University faculty and staff. "Students should feel safe to express themselves on campus without an implied feeling of retribution by politically inspired departments, staff and faculty" - said Avi Benlolo, President and CEO of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center.

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Toarrange an interview with Avi Benlolo, please contact:

Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate
416.864.9735 x 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

Atara Cadesky
Communications Associate
416.864.9735 x 30
acadesky@fswc.ca

Followus on Twitter at @CanadianFSWC for latest news and organizationupdates.

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Friends of SimonWiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rightsfoundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over100,000 people each year and 500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committed tocountering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles oftolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy andeducational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of HopeBenefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity.FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewishhuman rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won twoAcademy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built inJerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Councilof Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca. 

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