School board votes to counter antisemitism with new equity coach

Ottawa's largest school boardis closer to hiringa Jewish equity coachto help combat antisemitism at schools.

A unanimous vote by Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustees Tuesdaycame after studentsused antisemitic symbols, language and gestures at SirRobert Borden High School last month. Two students face criminal charges.

"[It] is a day I will never forget and one that has changed our family forever," David Baker said on Tuesday night.

Hetold CBC News last monththat his Jewishson was confronted by fellow students in a locker room Dec. 1with a swastika made of ski polesand a Nazi salute.

WATCH | Baker's message to the board:

Father tells school trustees his son was targeted for being Jewish

2 years ago

Duration 1:00

Before a unanimous vote by Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustees to hire a Jewish equity coach to help combat antisemitism at schools, David Baker said creating the position would "help rebuild trust" with Jewish families.

Baker, along with dozens of members of Ottawa's Jewish community, attended themeeting at the school board's headquarters next to his son's school to support the proposal. Some wore t-shirts that read "EndJew Hatred"and heldsigns that said "Hatred is not Kosher."

Antisemitism on the rise

Zone 9 trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrthproposed the idea and itwas endorsed by multiple Jewish organizations. A letter andpetition supporting ithadbeen signed by about 1,000 people.

The motion put forward by Kaplan-Myrthnoted that students and staff of the school board are experiencing"a persistent rise in antisemitic attitudes, discourse and behaviour."

"Antisemitism encountered by students and staff in our schools has been overlooked year after year, despite conversations with trustees and senior staff and reassurances to families and the Jewish community that action will be undertaken," she said at Tuesday's meeting.

Despite the chair's request for audience members to refrain from cheering, claps were heard from across the room when trustees and others spoke in favour of the motion.

Kaplan-Myrth explained that the new hire wouldbe the main point of contact for students and staff facing antisemitism within the school board, educatestudentson antisemitism and the Holocaust and collect data about antisemitic or hate incidents, among other things.

The full-time staff position would be equivalent to those created by the board to advocate for Black and Indigenous people. The coach wouldbe paid around $100,000 per year, similar toother equity coach salaries.

Some trustees questionedthe title "equity coach,"stating that it might be restrictive as other "coaches" are usually teachers. That discussion was put to rest when trustee members unanimously voted in favour of the proposal.

A binding voteis scheduled to take place at the next board meeting on Jan. 31.

A lack of understanding

Lisa Levitan,founder of the grassroots movementRise Up!that organized the letter and petition in favour of the proposal, burst into tears when the vote was called.

Levitan, who is Jewish andan elementary school teacher, said she too has experienced numerous acts of hate and antisemitism in her time with the school board.

She said the move to hire a Jewish equity coach is a big win for her community.

WATCH | Teacher, organizer reacts to the vote:

Teacher says hiring of Jewish equity coach will 'change everything'

2 years ago

Duration 1:00

Elementary school teacher Lisa Levitan said Tuesday night's vote by Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustees in favour of hiring a Jewish equity coach shows "Jews do count" at the board's schools.

"Today the OCDSB finally said Jews do count," she said. "This is going to change everything."

Levitan said she hopes this move will help combat antisemitismborn from a lack of understanding of the lived experience and struggles of Jews.

"Without education, we are nothing. That is why hate continues to exist," she said.

"The OCDSBis now saying we see you, we hear you, we validate you and we are going to help you,and that starts with hiring a Jewish equity voice."