As readers of this weekly update know, GAJE – an entirely volunteer group – has been working for more than six years with the single goal of helping make Jewish day school affordable for every family that wishes it for their children. We are now approaching the final crossroad of our campaign. And as a result, we must now appeal to you to help us.
Ontario is the only province that fully funds the education of the adherents of one faith alone within its public education system. Moreover, it is the only province outside Atlantic Canada that does not contribute any funding whatsoever to the general studies portion of its independent schools. This discrimination must finally end. Years of waiting, hoping and lobbying for successive Ontario governments to change this policy have been in vain. Our only recourse now is to the courts.
GAJE has retained a superb team of lawyers headed by the renowned human rights advocate and constitutional law specialist, David Matas, to try to bring an end to Ontario’s discriminatory educational funding policy. The team will attempt to have the court re-assess and reconsider the 1996 Supreme Court decision on which Ontario relies to justify its antiquated, unfair funding.
Since 1996, much has changed in Ontario. Polls suggest a majority of Ontarians are in favor of more choice in their children’s schooling. In addition, there have been subtle changes in the development of the law. Our legal team believes that our case is in step with these changes and resonant with majority attitudes to eliminate blatant funding discrimination in favour of a fair and just policy.
Our lawyers are donating much of their time and expertise. The cost for prosecuting the case, from the trial phase through probably two levels of appeal, is in the range of $250,000. Thus far we have raised about a quarter of the funds needed to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court. But to help us raise the rest, we turn to you.
We know that you are asked to contribute to many worthy causes. Our request is for the sake of securing the future of all day schools in our community for all time. It is not simply another worthy request in the constellation of all the other worthy requests. It is a foundational request aimed at improving the lives of our families and ensuring the permanence of all the schools. Moreover, it is a one-time request to cover costs, as we have stated, all the way through to the end of an appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Please join us in making this happen! This is our generation’s opportunity to correct this long-standing injustice. And, please tell your friends to join in our effort.
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada.
If you wish to obtain further information, please contact Israel Mida at imida1818@gmail.com
To donate to this important cause, please click here.
Be safe. Be well.
Thank you.
Shabbat shalom.
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
June 18, 2021
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 