The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has established a task force to combat antisemitism.

Meeting Aug. 17, delegates at the ETFO’s annual meeting passed the following motion:

“That ETFO establish a task force to combat antisemitism in Ontario. The objectives of this task force include, but are not limited to, examining ways to enhance the advocacy, well-being, and support for members, with a report to the May 2022 Representative Council.”

The task force, to be struck in the fall, will be comprised of ETFO members who attended the annual meeting, and other representatives of the federation.

No further details were available.

The ETFO represents approximately 83,000 public elementary teachers, occasional teachers, education support personnel, professional support personnel, and early childhood educators.

It calls itself “a social justice and equity seeking organization.”

B’nai Brith Canada called the development “a rare and welcome step,” and encouraged other labour unions in Ontario and across Canada to follow suit.

Establishment of the ETFO task force comes amid rising concerns regarding anti-Jewish discrimination in Ontario’s public schools, B’nai Brith added.

It noted that last month, the Toronto District School Board reinstated Javier Dávila, an equity advisor who had sent materials to teachers describing Israelis as “colonizers” in their indigenous homeland, quoting convicted Palestinian terrorists, and justifying suicide bombings.

B’nai Brith has turned to the Ontario College of Teachers, the regulatory body for Ontario teachers, to “take action” against Dávila.

B’nai Brith representatives met with Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce on Aug. 18 to discuss the need to keep classrooms free from hate.

Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) also commended the ETFO for passing the motion.

“Amid rising hate incidents in Ontario, we’ve come to know all too well that the education sector is not immune to antisemitism,” said Michael Levitt, CEO of FSWC.

FSCW last month received $327,000 from the Ontario government to support two summer learning programs:

The “Unpacking Intolerance: Equity and Diversity Training for Educators” program provides professional development to help educators learn about dismantling systems of oppression and antisemitism in homes, schools and communities.

And the “Tour for Humanity Virtual Summer Camp” helps students learn about human rights, dealing with injustice, and encourage ideas for creating positive change.