Canadian university students told a parliamentary committee about antisemitism on campus—and a failure by schools to act
Ottawa hears about the realities of the past academic year.
Canada’s university presidents say a call for genocide is wrong, regardless of context—but don’t agree that calling for the destruction of Israel violates their codes of conduct
All 27 of Canada’s largest universities say that “a call for genocide” is a violation of their codes of conduct. But far fewer agree that a call for the eradication of the State of Israel is a violation—according to a survey of university presidents. Anthony Housefather, the Liberal MP for Mount Royal, and four colleagues […]
Jewish students at Canadian universities say there’s a new level of worry on campus
Jewish students and academic communities at some of Canada’s top universities say there’s a new level of worry about being on campus following the Hamas attacks in Israel on Oct. 7. While many larger university campuses, and especially student unions and other student-led bodies, have long fostered anti-Israel rhetoric and events, this time feels different […]
Israeli medical schools are closing to Canadian students—and all other international ones—starting next fall
Israeli medical schools will be closed to new foreign students starting in the fall of 2023, the government announced earlier this month. International students who have already begun or been admitted to their programs will be allowed to complete them, meaning the last batch of international students will graduate in 2026. The ban was implemented […]
A new Canadian Jewish faculty group opposes the IHRA definition of antisemitism
A new coalition of Jewish academics has formed to reject the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which members say has been used to stifle certain criticisms of Israel, representing an affront to academic freedom. The impetus for the foundation of the Jewish Faculty Network (JFN) was the Canadian Association of University Teachers’ […]
Canada’s Jewish students feel ‘deluge’ of hate on social media
“We’ve seen students as the targets of social media and social shunning, with condemnation of Israel and Zionism the price.”
Advocacy groups downplay Canadian Federation of Students’ BDS motion
The Canadian Federation of Students approved a resolution supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel at its annual general meeting on Nov. 19, but Israel advocacy groups on campus say the impact on students is likely to be minimal.
Married with Kids: The hospitality of strangers
Lauren Kramer writes about her experience sending her son off to university.
Leaving the nest for the first time
Now, for the first time, I’ve left my home, my friends and my family, and have moved in with strangers in a dorm, in another city, on a huge campus where I know no one. Talk about being outside my comfort zone! Sure I have tons of new friends, but no one real. I find myself glued to my phone, texting all my old friends.
Stepping outside the ‘Jewish bubble’
Jewish students about to start university often spend a fair bit of time thinking about the “Jewish bubble” – the cocoon of Jewish friends, summer camps, neighbourhoods and family that insulates them – and what it means to leave it. But it turns out that some students don’t leave the bubble, so much as stick one foot out, while keeping one foot firmly anchored in Jewish life.
