‍

Toronto (January 18, 2022) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is thrilled that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) unanimously voted in favour last night of hiring a Jewish Equity Coach to help combat antisemitism.

A motion to create this position was put forward by OCDSB Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth, with some 1,000 people signing a petition from Rise Up Ottawa! in support of the motion, spearheaded by Ottawa teacher Lisa Levitan.

“This vote by the OCDSB in support of hiring a Jewish Equity Coach is an incredibly important move at a time when Jewish students and staff are facing a disturbing surge in antisemitism at schools and the school board has repeatedly failed to properly deal with this issue,” said FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt. “It is heartening to see this support from OCDSB trustees and an effort being made to confront antisemitism.”

This vote came one week after two Ottawa students were charged in connection with an antisemitic incident at a school. FSWC has been in communication with the school after offering educational programs for its students following the incident.

A final vote is set to take place on January 31.