Members Blog

Dear CIJA Board Members from Ontario and Ontario Federation Executives,  

Further to Rachel’s email last week, (see below) we’re following up with further information. A few moments ago, CIJA, along with the CJLC, launched an action alert regarding ETFO’s decision to hire IJV to train its executive on antisemitism. Take action here.

Our action calls on ETFO leadership to stop outsourcing antisemitism education to ideologically driven or unrepresentative groups, and to work with credible partners who reflect the lived experiences of students and families in Ontario classrooms. We are asking parents, grandparents, and caregivers whose kids are in the publicly-funded elementary system to take action and write directly to ETFO leadership. This action alert campaign strategically targets these guardian stakeholders and customizes letters to be sent from categories including parents, grandparents, and caregivers to maximize impact. 

 This targeted campaign is focused solely on the voice of Ontario elementary school communities — the families who expect antisemitism to be addressed seriously, responsibly, and in ways that build trust in our schools. Jewish and allied educators have raised concerns internally, and CIJA has raised issues with the Minister where they fall under the government’s mandate, including last week with our letter to the Minister. 

Please note, we are directing this campaign to parents, grandparents, and caregivers directly via multiple channels while purposefully staying away from posting on social media en masse or via email blast, to discourage non-caregivers from sending an email to ETFO.  

We encourage you to forward this information via email or social media groups to parents, grandparents, and caregivers whose kids are in the public elementary system and who have a vested interest in ensuring our public school system is safe and supportive for Jewish students and families.  

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.  

 Sincerely,  

Josh Landau

Director, Government Relations, Ontario 
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs 

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Dear CIJA Board Members from Ontario and Ontario Federation Executives,

 You will likely have heard about an issue in the teachers’ union space here in Ontario that has emerged in the last 24 hours.

 As a result of implementing a motion passed at last summer's Annual General Meeting of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) that the provincial executive engage in annual antisemitism training, the provincial executive retained Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) to provide this year's training.

 Proactive Engagement to Date

• Since the resolution passed last summer, the Canadian Jewish Labour Committee (CJLC) has been working directly with Jewish ETFO members and their allies to flag concerns about IJV and encourage an appropriate approach to antisemitism education. 
• This engagement was aimed at preventing a problematic outcome before decisions were finalized, using established labour relationships and internal union channels. 
• When ETFO proceeded with this decision, CJLC issued a public statement grounded in accurate information and continued direct engagement with union members, supporting an internal campaign by union members to whom the provincial ETFO leadership is accountable
• CIJA has been working in parallel with community partners to coordinate next steps and ensure responsible and effective advocacy.
• CIJA is preparing correspondence to the Ontario Minister of Education to provide context and raise awareness of broader implications for the education environment. This correspondence will be posted on social media.
• This aligns with CIJA's advocacy approach with the Minister of Education, which is focused on the Minister/Ministry asserting its authority to establish standards for antisemitism training materials and trainers for all school boards.

This work reflects sustained, coordinated leadership leveraging both internal and external stakeholders.

 Why External Pressure on the Union Is Counterproductive

While community concern is understandable, experience within the labour movement is clear:

• Letters or pressure from non-union members are not only unlikely to influence internal union decisions but can harden positions. 
• Outside intervention risks undermining the credibility of Jewish voices working constructively from within the union.

For this reason, the strategy has focused on:

• Engagement by ETFO members themselves, and 
• Leadership by Jewish labour organizations with standing and relationships inside the movement. 

In order to guide community members in a strategic way, we are sending a message into various WhatsApp groups about how parents and other community members can effectively engage in the ETFO/IJV issue, and providing guidance for ETFO members. 

This approach is intentional and informed.

 Engagement with Government: Appropriate and Realistic

 CIJA’s outreach to the Minister of Education is rooted in deep understanding of the government’s role and the Minister’s responsibilities and authority:

• The Minister does not and cannot control what training ETFO provides to its Executive. 
• The purpose of engagement is to ensure awareness, not to seek direct intervention, and to flag potential downstream impacts on schools and the broader education climate.
• CIJA will urge the Minister to institute a system that enables only qualified Vendors of Record to deliver equity training, including antisemitism education, across Ontario’s school boards and schools.

Bottom Line

CJLC and CIJA have been engaged strategically and responsibly well before this decision became public and continue to work to promote credible antisemitism education, without misinformation, escalation or counterproductive activity.

 The momentum around this issue has created an opportunity to identify and mobilize a broader group of Jewish and allied ETFO members to advocate on this matter. This engagement will also strengthen our capacity for future union mobilization, including around upcoming events such as the ETFO summer convention. If you know members of the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario or any other labour union, please invite them to join CJLC so they can participate in strategic advocacy within their unions.  

Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like further information.

Rachel Chertkoff

Senior Vice President, Community Engagement 
Vice-présidente principale, Engagement communautaire 
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs 

Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes

M: 416 587 8195