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York Region District School Board said the symbol of the menorah has been used by the Multi-faith Action Society in its calendar for several years and no change was made this year.By York Region District School Board image
York Region District School Board is taking “immediate action” to update its online multi-faith calendar by replacing the menorah with the Star of David to “ensure it is representative of Jewish identity.”
“We have received concerns regarding a social media post and an email explaining the rationale for the use of a menorah as the symbol for Jewish holidays and observances,” said board director Bill Cober in a statement Thursday.
Cober said the menorah has been used for several years, but “as a result of feedback received regarding the existing symbolism,” the board will be making changes to its online calendar.
A menorah.
By iStock photo
“We regret any hurt or harm caused by this matter and the content of an email being circulated online; we are taking immediate action to make the correction,” Cober said.
An email surfaced on social media Wednesday in which a senior YRDSB administrator quoted an explanation provided by the multi-faith calendar committee that’s responsible for the calendar. It stated a menorah was chosen over the Star of David to represent Judaism because of its “purely religious significance, while the Star of David carries political connotations with the state of Israel.”
Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC), a non-profit organization with a focus on Holocaust education, immediately contacted YRDSB senior officials to explain how “outrageous” it is to suggest the Star of David is a political symbol and how such a decision causes harm to the Jewish community, particularly in the aftermath of Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel.
“For centuries, the Star of David has been, by far, the most widely recognized symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity,” said the North York-based FSWC in a statement.
FSWC commended the board for its decision to update the calendar by replacing the menorah with the Star of David as the defining Jewish symbol.
“This comes after the revelation that the Star of David has long been excluded due to the belief that it ‘carries political connotations,’” said the centre on social media.
“Amid the current surge in antisemitism in this country, we are seeing aspects of Jewish identity, including the Star of David, attacked and demonized and increasing attempts to misconstrue it as political or even illegitimate,” said Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, FSWC senior director of policy and advocacy.
“We are grateful to the YRDSB for acting quickly on our concerns and recognizing the harm caused to the Jewish community.”
来源链接：
https://www.toronto.com/news/york-district-school-board-opts-to-replace-menorah-with-star-of-david-in-multi-faith/article_c001e57b-dd56-5c3c-8142-0825fbe48972.html
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