Alberta’s junior high students will soon learn more about antisemitism with an updated curriculum influenced by the rise in anti-Jewish hatred worldwide following Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israeli citizens.
The Government of Alberta announced the upcoming curriculum on the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The curriculum was developed in partnership with Jewish organizations over the last year.
“I firmly believe we must do everything possible to combat rising antisemitism and educate young Albertans about the realities of antisemitism,” said Alberta’s Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. “Ensuring all students learn about the injustices faced by those who historically were, and continue to be, marginalized, or who have experienced discrimination will help us confront hate and build stronger communities.”
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Calgary Jewish Federation applauded the provincial government’s announcement, which the organizations said proved the government was taking a stand against antisemitism.
“By ensuring these critical lessons are part of the learning experience for students, we are fostering empathy, understanding and resilience in future generations. We look forward to further collaborating with Alberta Education in making sure these important teachings are delivered effectively across all grades,” said the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Edmonton, Stacey Leavitt-Wright.
Alberta confirmed that antisemitism has been on the rise worldwide since Israel faced its largest and most deadly attack since the Holocaust on Oct. 7 from Hamas.
In 2023, Jewish people were subject to 70% of all religiously motivated hate crimes despite accounting for less than 1% of Canada’s population.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for the deportation of temporary residents carrying out violent or hate crimes in Canada on the same day Alberta unveiled the updated curriculum.
He said that “woke ideologies” had already caused hate crimes inspired by antisemitism to increase by over 100% before Oct. 7. Since then, he said they increased by 251%, primarily targeting the Jews.
Alberta’s government previously introduced mandatory Holocaust education in elementary schools in Nov. 2023. The draft K to 6 social studies curriculum released in Apr. 2024 also includes lessons on antisemitism. It is currently being piloted and will be fully introduced in the 2025-26 school year.
The Jewish Federation of Edmonton and the Calgary Jewish Federation applauded the provincial government’s mandate for Holocaust education.
Adam Silver, CEO of the Calgary Jewish Federation, said that the fight against racism starts at school, and education is an important tool to fight prejudice and stereotyping.
“What is happening in our society today is an important warning around the need to teach the universal lessons of the Holocaust, and the consequences of bigotry and hate. We applaud the province for helping to ensure that our youth will not only learn from, but keep the memory of the Holocaust alive,” Silver.
As the draft curriculum continues to be developed, the provincial government aims to continue working with provincial Jewish organizations to determine when and where students should learn about antisemitism.
