The Association for Canadian Studies was commissioned recently by the federal government’s former envoy against antisemitism, “to survey Jewish students on their lived experiences of antisemitism on campus, as well as to survey the broader student population on attitudes toward Jews and antisemitism.”
The results of the survey were published last week on the Government of Canada website, under the title Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences (CASE).
Key findings of the survey, as reported on the website, include the following:
- 84% of Jewish respondents said antisemitism is a serious problem on campus.
- 95.7% said they had experienced or witnessed at least one instance of antisemitism over the previous 12 months
- 70% said their university does not take antisemitism seriously, and 68% said their campus is not a safe and inclusive place for Jewish students.
- 72% limit what they say in class about being Jewish, and 57% avoid wearing or displaying Jewish symbols because of safety concerns.
- 18% of incidents cited faculty members, 7% involved teaching assistants, and 7% involved administrators or staff.
- 36% encountered course content or classroom discussion they experienced as antisemitic or biased, while 34% said a professor introduced Jews, Judaism, Israel, or Zionism when unrelated to the course subject.
- 45% encountered Holocaust denial or distortion often or sometimes, and 65% encountered it “at least rarely.”
- 81% reported hateful or discriminatory treatment of Zionists on campus often or occasionally; 71% reported antisemitic vandalism; 54% reported intimidation or threats directed at Jews; and 22% reported physical violence directed at Jews.
- 34% identified online or social media spaces as a location where incidents occurred, 33%identified student organizations or campus events, 25% classrooms or lecture halls, 23% nearby off-campus spaces, and 9% in student residences and housing.
- 33% reported the incident they described. Among those who reported, 63% were dissatisfied with how it was handled, and 52% of non-reporters said they did not think reporting would help.
The results are distressing. There is no denying or downplaying these abjectly appalling findings.
To help us understand what our next steps must be in light of the CASE data, GAJE offers the words renowned French philosopher and author, Bernard-Henri Lévy.
Lévy addressed a gathering last summer in Haifa on the world-wide rising tide of antisemitism.The philosopher-journalist-activist admittedthat he had beenshocked by the immediacy and the ubiquity of anti-Israel protests after October 7. But despite the enormity of the problem, Lévy pleaded that Jews must not abandon their optimism or their resolve in being able to fight back. Direct, if sparse, his words were unequivocal. They are germane and even inspirational.
“But one thing is certain: We must not give up, because the battle, contrary to what some believe, is not lost in advance. Jews, the friends of the Jewish people, the friends of democracy and genuine liberals can win this fight.”
We ought to heed Lévy’s words.
We have no choice.
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Shabbat shalom
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education
August 14, 2026
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 