University of Toronto sets up working group to combat antisemitism

An antisemitism working group has been set up at the University of Toronto to “examine and address” campus antisemitism to help the university to be more “pro-active in creating a culture of inclusion” for Jewish students and staff .

The working will be led by senior academic Prof. Arthur Ripstein. As well as reviewing current practices to address antisemitism, it will recommend ways to improve education about antisemitism and propose initiatives to eliminate antisemitism on campus.

The recommendations will be made to the President and Vice-Presidents of the University as part of the University’s commitment to combating racism across its three campuses.

Prof. Ripstein said the aim was to ensure that the University “not only responds” to “incidents or allegations” of antisemitism, but was “pro-active in creating a culture of inclusion” so that “various forms of discrimination, including antisemitism,” were “tackled through education.”

Other members of the working group include doctoral students, senior academics and senior administrators with roles in human resources and anti-racism. Consultations with the Jewish staff and students would be vital in helping shape the recommendations, said Prof. Ripstein.

“No form of discrimination is tolerated at the University of Toronto,” the University Vice-President said, adding that antisemitism was a form of “discrimination, harassment and hatred that undermines our values.” The University recognised that it needed to be “more proactive and responsive” in addressing it on campus, she added.

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