The Jewish Parents of Ottawa Students Association (JPOSA) was founded in late 2023 by a group of concerned parents who could no longer stand by as antisemitism increased in their children's public schools. Faced with incidents of hate, intolerance, and inadequate responses from school staff, employees, and administrators, a handful of driven parents came together with a common goal: to ensure Jewish students in Ottawa are physically and emotionally safe, are included at school, and to support parents in their advocacy with the right resources and encouragement.

Today, JPOSA proudly represents over 200 families, across all four public school boards, and is committed to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for Jewish students. Using a committee structure of passionate volunteers, JPOSA works tirelessly to address the day to day needs of Jewish students and their families.

Building a Network of Support

JPOSA has built strong partnerships with several key organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and the Centre for Holocaust Education and Study (CHES). These partnerships extend to groups such as the Alliance Combatting Campus Antisemitism (ALCCA), Stand With Us Canada, and the Jewish Educators and Families Association (JEFA). Through these collaborations, JPOSA aims to provide a united front against rising antisemitism in schools across the province. Additionally, JPOSA leaders have engaged with local policymakers, including Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) and the Senior Policy Advisor to the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism.

Unveiling the Extent of the Problem

One of JPOSA’s earliest initiatives was to gather data on Jewish students' experiences through a comprehensive survey, which revealed alarming results: 70% of students reported feeling unsafe identifying as Jewish at school, and 60% had either been the victim of or witnessed antisemitic incidents.

Despite our outreach to the OCDSB, meaningful action has yet to be taken. This prompted the development of an evidence-based document about antisemitism in Ottawa Public Schools, specifically highlighting issues within the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). This document has reached the desks of both the Minister of Education and the Premier of Ontario. 

Preparing for the New School Year

As we move into the new school year, JPOSA has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students. In collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, letters were sent to all four Ottawa school boards requesting their commitment to protecting Jewish students and enforcing Safe School policies. Additionally, we urged them to incorporate the Jewish community into their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) programs, with a particular focus on October 7th, a date of significance and mourning for the community.

To assist parents, JPOSA has created letter templates that can be sent to principals, advocating for the protection and inclusion of Jewish students. We are stressing the importance of documenting incidents of antisemitism or Jew-hate to create a solid evidence base for future action and school board accountability. JPOSA’s updated incident reporting tool is available on our website, ensuring that no incident goes unrecorded and that families feel supported.

Join Us in Our Fight for Change

JPOSA invites parents, guardians, and grandparents to join us in our mission. Together, we can ensure that Jewish students in Ottawa are safe and supported at school. To learn more about our work, get involved in our campaigns, or become a member, please visit our website at www.jposa.ca.

The time for action is now. We must stand together, as a community, to protect our children and ensure their futures are free from fear, discrimination, and hate.