Canadian Federation Jewish Students Open Letter to OPIRG
December 21, 2008 – 4:09 pmOpen Letter
To whom it may concern,
On behalf of the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students, we wish to condemn the recent decision by the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) at the University of Ottawa against partnering with a Jewish organization, based on one element of that organization’s mandate.
As a social justice organization, OPIRG should actively seek out Hillel Ottawa as a partner. Among Hillel’s mandates, conveniently ignored by OPIRG’s uninformed decision, are the ideas of social justice (Tikkun Olam) and charity (Tzedakah). Partnering with Hillel on events that promote social justice would offer OPIRG a new audience. The event which OPIRG declined to co-sponsor would have focused on interfaith cooperation, sustainable living practices, and perseverance with limited resources; all squarely within OPIRG’s overall priorities.
OPIRG justifies this decision by citing what it calls Hillel’s “Zionist Ideology” which “does not fit within OPIRG’s mandate of human right’s, social justice.” [sic] This stance clearly shows the uninformed and ideologically-motivated nature of OPIRG’s decision-making structures. An organization that gets more funding (at $200,000+) per year than any other levied service at the University of Ottawa has an obligation to display greater discernment and inclusivity.
At the heart of OPIRG’s objection is its conclusion that Zionism is antithetical to human rights. This outrageous position flows from the insidious strategy set out during the infamous “Durban” Conference. As Martin Luther King Jr. told a student who attacked Zionism in his presence, “when people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism.” Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people, like every other people, have a right to a homeland. It is inherently antisemitic to single out Jews for seeking self-determination.
In no uncertain terms, the Canadian Federation of Jewish Students believes that OPIRG has made a fundamental error – both in its assessment of Zionism and in its refusal to partner with a Jewish organization. This decision flies in the face of OPIRG’s claim to speak on behalf of human rights and social justice, and should call into question their right to automatically access student funds through the university levy system.
We at CFJS commit to working both with OPIRG and with the broader campus community to resolve this issue in a fair and reasonable manner.
Sincerely,
Ariella Kimmel
Vice – President External
Canadian Federation of Jewish Students
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9 Responses to “Canadian Federation Jewish Students Open Letter to OPIRG”
The Israeli government has just launched an attack Gaza including bombing police stations, destroying infrastructure after denying access to Palestinians of humanitarian supplies. What are doing to prove it really is for social justice.
Regardless of any Palestinian actions the actions I described must be condemned loudly or be a hypocrite that has no place in Canadian society. I await a reply.
By Ben Laden on Dec 27, 2008
Also, why is a group SO concerned with controlling the activities of another.
We live in a democracy. Groups have a right to choose whether to align themselves if they choose. Controlling (and oppressing/terrorizing)others may be acceptable in Israel but not acceptable here.
By Ben Laden on Dec 27, 2008
The university is using access to funding to control in the same way
that Israel has been using access to basic humanitarian supplies a way to control Palestinians. A clear violation of human rights.
By Wayen on Dec 27, 2008
Ben Laden I do not want to argue with you about the current situation in Gaza, however in this situation which occurred in Ottawa the current situation is irrelevant. This group OPIRG is financed by a levy from our student fees. They were asked to work with the Jewish students association in Ottawa on an event which fully falls under their mandate as a social justice group. The speaker from Uganda was speaking about multifaith cooperation and sustainable development among many other topics. OPIRG’s choice to not work with Hillel was discriminatory. If they don’t want to work with the Jewish students group thats one thing, but then students should not be forced to fund them.
By Ariella Kimmel on Jan 11, 2009
I agree with Ariella in choosing to focus on the issue which are faced with today in Ottawa. These issues are in fact completely separate and must therefore be treated as such. OPIRG’s decision not to work with Hillel on a non-partisan event was disappointing. The event in question was one which promoted cultural interaction, and the decision not to engage in such an event can be called nothing other than discrimination.
By Chelsea Sauvé on Jan 13, 2009
Firstly, both Ariella and Chelsea make strong arguments about how the event in question has nothing to do Israel.
I would even extend this argument to suggest that to justify OPIRG’s position is to justify discrimination based on creed (religion) – something that is not permitted in Canada. Indeed, OPIRG has refused to work with Hillel, an integral and active member of the campus community, because it states in its mandate that it supports Israel, the Jewish state.
OPIRG’s position is dicriminatory because OPIRG has not applied this same standard to other clubs. For OPIRG to be applying a fair standard, it would have to ask all campus groups if they support Israel’s right to exist before partnering with them. Instead, they have singled out Hillel, a Jewish club. This is blatant disrimination and should not be tolerated on campus. OPIRG should be ashamed and should apologize immediately.
By Raphael on Jan 14, 2009
What a well-written letter. OPIRG shamelessly claims that they are all about human rights and freedom of speech while simultaneously discriminating against a group of students because of their religion. Anybody who isn’t themselves an anti-Semite and a bigot can clearly see the problems with OPIRG’s behaviour, and anybody who honestly believes in the ideals that OPIRG claims to hold should be the first to stand up and say that the way OPIRG has treated (and alienated) the Jewish students on campus is unjustified, hypocritical, and altogether wrong.
By Rebecca on Jan 14, 2009
Also, I do not believe that Hillel is in any way interested in “controlling” another group (I assume that Mr. BL is referring to OPIRG). As students at Ottawa U., we pay OPIRG’s funds. It is OPIRG’s responsibility to represent and work with the students who financially contribute towards it, without choice. Otherwise they should return our money, which they have refused to do.
By Rebecca on Jan 14, 2009
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