
As antisemitism on college and university campuses is growing worldwide, the need for expertise to combat this issue has never been more crucial.
In Canada, colleges and universities across the country have been facing various challenges related to antisemitism, including encampments, BDS measures being tabled by student unions, and acts of violence targeting Jewish students, faculty, and organizations.
The University of Ottawa is sadly no stranger to these issues, having faced all the above in recent years following the October 7 terrorist attacks and the ensuing war. As we hear news of continuing issues faced by students and faculty in academia, the question on everyone’s minds is “what are academic institutions doing to ensure my loved one’s safety?”
Though many post-secondary institutions are struggling to figure out how to manage these problems, the University of Ottawa has taken a step towards addressing this issue with the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Calof as the special adviser on antisemitism, succeeding Artur Wilczynski, who first held the role. According to Calof, this is a credit to the vision and commitment of the senior leadership of the University of Ottawa President Jacques Frémont.
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa is pleased that the university has filled this important position and looks forward to working with Calof, who is well-recognized in the Jewish community for his professionalism and expertise in advocacy and community relations.
“This is a unique position in Canadian universities,” said David Sachs, Community Relations and Antisemitism Specialist at the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. “It’s a big step forward to have an advocate of Jonathan’s stature able to work at the highest level of university administration to address the systemic issues of antisemitism on campus. We hope other universities will follow suit.”
Calof, a professor of market insight at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management, has worn numerous hats throughout his professional career, including vice chair of the Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy and UNESCO co-chair of anticipatory systems for innovation and venture creation.
Having also been very active in the Ottawa Jewish community, it is no surprise that the University of Ottawa would trust Calof with such an important mandate. However, Calof emphasizes that this is a major undertaking, and one that he cannot do alone.
“It takes a village,” said Calof, speaking about the immense amount of work to be done in combatting this pressing issue. “I have numerous colleagues and organizations from both the local and national Jewish community, the university community and at the political level that have and will be continuing to help me in this role.”
Calof thanked numerous people from within the Ottawa Jewish community and outside of it for aiding him as he adjusts to what is a monumental and important mandate.
“My first priority is about providing comfort and support to the many Jewish students, faculty and staff who are feeling isolated from the community, their identity as Jews being challenged, and some, afraid of wearing anything that will identify them as being Jewish. We must do our best to help them during this difficult time”
“Students need our support more than ever now,” said Calof. They need to know that we’re there for them and that while we can’t solve this problem in the short term, we can certainly provide support.”
His second priority is helping the university better understand how significant this problem is. Part of this will involve a survey being sent to the University of Ottawa Jewish community that is being run by Calof and Dr. Kogan, Co-chair of NECA and a University of Ottawa Professor.
What Calof and other leaders both in the Jewish community and the university community have realized is that this is a complex problem that cannot be solved quickly, Dr. Calof has referred to this as the need to develop a 25-year plan to address what has led to antisemitism on campuses.
“One of the big reasons I accepted this role is because I have so much community support to help me in this role,” said Calof. “Further to that, having the support of the university administration is another asset that will allow us to draft a plan to tackle all forms of discrimination in the years to come.”
As part of this current priority, Calof intends to hold monthly meetings with staff, faculty and students to discuss what they have been confronting and what help they need. He also meets with provincial and federal governments in these discussions, as well as local law enforcement, to help tackle the more threatening issues and how to recognize antisemitism when it isn’t as blatant.
“I’ve had students crying in my office because they have been isolated by people, they thought they were their friends, who are now afraid of wearing a Magen David,” said Calof. “I’ve had faculty say that their colleagues stopped speaking to them due to differences in opinion. It has gotten really bad. The illegal encampment, protests and graffiti of last year have given way to a more institutionalized form of antisemitism.”
However, the University of Ottawa has continued to take swift action when it comes to several of these incidents, and Calof believes that while there is still much to be done, there is also reason to believe that things will get better.
“There are actually a lot of good things going on when you’re able to sit in on discussions at the administrative level,” said Calof. “When we realize something that has been put out needs to be changed, we’re going to change it there have been a few changes already made thanks to problems that students and faculty brought to my attention, but we have a long way to go.”
However, for the university to know that something needs to be addressed, members of the community must report it. If you or a loved one is a student, faculty or staff member at the University of Ottawa, you can reach Calof to report incidents at antisemitism@uOttawa.ca or by calling him at 613-292-5007