TORONTO (JTA) — Jewish advocacy groups in Toronto have teamed to launched a commission on the quality of Jewish life at one of Canada’s largest universities.
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto is joining with the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy and Hillel of Greater Toronto to better Jewish life at York University, which has been the scene of much anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activity over the past few years.
The commission, chaired by UJA Federation board member Dr. Elyse Lackie, is seeking submissions from those with personal experiences at York and ideas about improving Jewish life on the Toronto campus.
The recommendations will be presented to the York University Task Force on Student Life, Learning and Community before the start of the academic year this fall.
In a statement, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto officials said there have been "repeated, documented" incidents at York in which Jewish students have been intimidated.
Earlier this year, a number of Jewish students were barricaded in the Hillel lounge by a mob yelling anti-Semitic and anti-Israel slurs. Police had to be called to escort the students out of the building.
To date, no disciplinary action has been taken by the York administration.
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