…to students, parents, extended families, teachers and administrators of all our schools for arriving at the conclusion of the second pandemic-affected school year. The discipline, commitment and work for everyone involved across an entire school year are always laden with challenge. The Covid challenges were unimaginable two years ago. Now they are part of the base of experience that will be incorporated into educational advances in the years to come. Once again, congratulations.
Because of our desire to bring more children to Jewish education we repeat our call of last week.
Please help us
As we advised readers last week, we are now approaching the final stage of our single-purposed effort to help make day school education affordable to as many families as possible. But we need your assistance to achieve our aim.
As you know, 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.
GAJE has retained a superb team of lawyers headed by the renowned human rights advocate and constitutional law specialist, David Matas, to try, finally, 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 that suggest an attempt to change the law is worthwhile.
Our lawyers are donating much of their time and expertise. The cost for prosecuting the case, from the trial phase to the end of an appeal in the Supreme Court is in the range of $250,000. Thus far we have raised about a quarter of the funds needed. But to help us raise the rest, we turn to you. Please help us.
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 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 legal 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! Please tell your friends to join in our effort.
This is our generation’s opportunity to correct this long-standing injustice. If we do not try to end the injustice, who will?
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada.
To donate to this important cause, please click here.
If you wish to obtain further information, please contact Israel Mida at imida1818@gmail.com
Be safe. Be well.
Thank you.
Shabbat shalom.
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
June 25, 2021
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 