Course Overview
The Understanding and Combatting Antisemitism course provides a comprehensive exploration of Judaism, antisemitism, and the experiences of Jewish communities in Canada. Learners begin by building a foundational understanding of Judaism, including key religious and cultural traditions. From there, the course examines the history of discrimination and antisemitism in Canada, tracing its roots, identifying harmful tropes, and outlining the devastating impact that unchecked hate can have on individuals and communities.
Participants will also engage with contemporary forms of antisemitism, learning to recognize modern expressions of hate and understand the misconceptions that continue to drive discrimination against Jewish people today. The course further explores the rise of antisemitism across Canada and its impacts on workplaces, communities, and public safety, while offering practical strategies to prevent and respond to hate.
For those in policing and public service roles, the course outlines key procedures, investigative considerations, and best practices used by Canadian police services when addressing antisemitic hate crimes and incidents. Learners will also reflect on the role of allyship, gaining actionable ways to support Jewish colleagues and the Jewish communities they serve.
When you have completed this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the foundational concepts of Judaism, including topics of religious and cultural significance.
- Define antisemitism and explore the history of discrimination and antisemitism experienced by Jews in Canada.
- Describe the historical roots of antisemitism, including key antisemitic tropes and core historical knowledge of the Holocaust.
- Explain the potential impacts on communities when antisemitism and hate are left unchecked.
- Describe contemporary antisemitism, including examples of this hate, and address common misconceptions that contribute to antisemitism, and discrimination against Jews.
- Recognize the rise of antisemitism in Canada and explain how this form of hate affects local communities.
- Describe how antisemitism can appear in the workplace and outline practical strategies to prevent and address hate-based behaviours.
- Identify procedural approaches of Canadian police services that address antisemitism and hate crimes/incidents and outline investigative best practices.
- Define allyship and examine ways to be an ally by supporting your Jewish colleagues and the Jewish communities you serve.
Content Warning: This material discusses antisemitism, including real-world incidents and harmful language. The purpose is educational. Please practice self-care while engaging.
Target Audience
Sworn Police, Police Services, Student, Government and Other First Responders, Private Security
Content Provider
This course was originally developed by the Toronto Police Service in collaboration with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. CPKN later led its national expansion through a pan-Canadian working group to ensure relevance across all jurisdictions.
We acknowledge the support of Shift BC (Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General of British Columbia) and the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Public Safety Canada).
Notice
This course contains audio and video. Please check your settings and speakers/headphones now to ensure you can hear the audio play.
It is recommended that you use headphones so as not to disturb others around you.
