The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Commends the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for Suspending the Permit of the East End Madrassah

TORONTO, May 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Recently, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs was made aware of curriculum issued by the Toronto-based East End Madrassah that contained antisemitic passages. In particular, the Level 8 curriculum document, which was publicly posted on the Madrassah's website, equated the beliefs of Judaism with Nazism and claimed that "treacherous Jews" had "conspired to kill Prophet Muhammad".

Upon learning today of the TDSB's decision to suspend the East End Madrassah's permit to use David & Mary Thompson Collegiate for its classes, David Spiro, Greater Toronto Co-Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy arm of Canadian Jewish Federations, issued the following statement:

"We commend the Toronto District School Board for moving to suspend the East End Madrassah's permit as an excellent first step, in accordance with the terms of the permit which allow the Board to revoke such arrangements with or without cause. Given the presence of antisemitic passages in the curriculum, and the dubious activism of its religious leadership, it is clear that the Madrassah has disqualified itself as a partner with the School Board on any level. We are hopeful that the Board comes to this conclusion in due course and that the Madrassah is not welcomed back into our public schools."

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is a non-partisan organization that serves as the Canadian Jewish community's official spokesperson to government and media.

Jordan Kerbel
Deputy Director, Communications
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
416-317-9517
[email protected]