Jewish Heritage Month is recognized each May in Ontario following the passage of the Jewish Heritage Month Act in 2012, which acknowledges the important contributions Jewish Canadians have made to Ontario’s social, economic, political, and cultural fabric.
At the TDSB, Jewish Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize Jewish history, identity, and culture, and to support learning that promotes understanding, belonging, and respect across school communities.
This year, schools can explore Being Jewish in Ontario, an educational resource designed for middle and secondary classrooms. The collection includes a short film of approximately 10 minutes, along with lesson plans and supporting materials available in English and French. The resource explores what it means to be Jewish today through the voices of Jewish youth and their family members, while also examining how Jewish immigrants across Ontario established a sense of community, belonging, and possibility during the first half of the twentieth century, despite experiencing societal exclusion.
The resource highlights both specific Jewish historical experiences and broader, universal themes of identity, belonging, and collective action. The film and learning materials are available at www.beingjewishinontario.org.
Happy Jewish Heritage Month at the TDSB!