Jewish Students Face Rising Antisemitism as New Academic Year Begins

As the new academic year commences in Canada, Jewish students are encountering a challenging environment marked by rising antisemitism on campuses. Reports from institutions like Concordia University in Montreal and Toronto Metropolitan University highlight a troubling climate for Jewish students, with incidents of hostility and intimidation becoming increasingly common.

At Concordia, the student handbook has been criticized for seemingly endorsing anti-Israel protests. In a more alarming incident at Toronto Metropolitan University, masked students confronted the provost during an orientation event, demanding she denounce what they referred to as genocide in Gaza. Such events are indicative of a broader trend; a recent study from the Aristotle Foundation, a Calgary-based conservative think tank, found that Jewish students are “four times more likely than the average student to be ‘very reluctant’ to speak up and share their views on religion during class discussions.”

The study, released on September 3, 2023, revealed that 15 percent of Jewish students reported experiencing daily abuse on campus due to their identity, while a staggering 84 percent indicated they had faced antisemitism at least once over the past year. This atmosphere raises significant questions about freedom of expression and the safety of Jewish students within academic settings.

Despite these challenges, there are instances of Jewish students and faculty striving to counteract the prevailing antisemitic climate. On a recent episode of The CJN’s North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner spoke with Daphne Wornovitzky, a recent graduate from the University of Calgary’s social work program. Wornovitzky recounted a distressing experience during her studies when anti-Israel sentiment escalated dramatically following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Wornovitzky, who was studying for her master’s degree, noted that she felt isolated as the only Jewish student in her program. The atmosphere shifted significantly after the October events, with classmates and even professors making inflammatory statements about Israel and the situation in Gaza. This prompted Wornovitzky to advocate for a more inclusive and respectful discussion environment within her faculty.

“I decided to bring it forth to the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary,” she explained. “The difficulty with this type of advocacy is that students, unless it’s academic misconduct, are quite untouchable.” Wornovitzky’s approach involved using the ethical standards of social work to highlight the need for diverse opinions to be respected.

Joining Wornovitzky on the podcast was Melanie Trossman, a veteran social worker and former field instructor at the University of Calgary. Trossman has worked in the field for over 30 years and noted that her experiences with antisemitism were minimal until the recent upheaval following the October attacks. She emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment within the social work profession, noting that Jewish perspectives should be represented in discussions about diversity.

The podcast also featured Gdalit Neuman, a PhD candidate at York University’s dance program, who shared her observations of the pervasive anti-Israel sentiment on Canadian campuses over the years. Neuman emphasized the need for Jewish voices to be included in discussions about diversity, equity, and inclusion, stating, “The majority out there really has zero understanding of Israel and zero understanding of Jews as an identity.”

As the academic year unfolds, the experiences shared by students like Wornovitzky, Trossman, and Neuman underscore the growing concern for Jewish students on Canadian campuses. Their advocacy efforts highlight the importance of confronting antisemitism and fostering an environment where diverse opinions can coexist.

The situation calls for ongoing dialogue and action to ensure that Jewish students can express their identities without fear of retribution or hostility. As Wornovitzky continues her advocacy work, she remains hopeful that her experiences can serve as a model for other Jewish students navigating similar challenges.

With these discussions gaining visibility, there is potential for change within Canadian universities to address antisemitism and promote a more inclusive academic environment for all students.