WINNIPEG — Partnership With CIJA Sparks Debate
Manitoba announced in May that it will partner with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg on prosecutors’ hate-crime training. The initiative is intended to strengthen prosecutions of hate crimes. Officials also revealed plans for Holocaust education resources in the K-12 social studies curriculum.
A coalition calling itself Manitoba Friends of Standing Together (MFoST) sent a letter to Premier Wab Kinew and Ministers Matt Wiebe and Tracy Schmidt stating that the government’s process has been narrowly focused. They claim consultations so far have excluded dissenting Jewish voices and groups representing other targeted communities. The letter states, “inclusive consultation is not optional.”
Who MFoST Are
MFoST identifies as a coalition of Jews, Palestinians, Christians, Muslims, and other allies dedicated to peace, justice, and human rights. They state they seek broader consultation and raise concerns about what they view as one-sided policy formation. While their concerns are shared by some, Jewish communal leaders note MFoST represents activist perspectives rather than the full Jewish communal mainstream.
CIJA’s Position
Gustavo Zentner, CIJA’s vice-president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, emphasized the urgency of Holocaust education. Zentner said, “We are now on a trajectory, especially over the last 15 months in Canada and around the world, that if people don’t learn the lessons from the Holocaust, and how hate can poison society, the past can easily be repeated.”
CIJA argues that including the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and partnering with established Jewish institutions are essential for ensuring programs used by prosecutors and schools are informed, accurate, and able to protect Jewish individuals from rising antisemitism.
The IHRA Definition Debate
MFoST’s letter objects to the inclusion of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in the planned Holocaust education materials. They say it “conflates legitimate criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.”
Manitoba officially adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism on October 27, 2022. The government issued a press release declaring that “To combat antisemitism effectively, it must first be defined. The IHRA definition will help Manitobans identify and combat antisemitism in all its forms.”
Premier Heather Stefanson at the time said, “Antisemitism has no place in our communities, and today is an important step forward in our collective commitment to ensure we build an inclusive and safe society.” Gustavo Zentner, President of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, also said, “Today, Premier Stefanson and the Government of Manitoba sent a strong message that antisemitism has no place in society.”
Pro-Israel leaders argue that the IHRA definition provides clarity about many modern antisemitic expressions. They caution that rejecting IHRA outright risks making hate harder to prosecute and allowing ideological distortion in public education.
Education & Safety Concerns
Jewish community leaders say Holocaust education must be taught rigorously and with integrity. One CIJA source said materials should ensure accuracy and protect victims, especially as antisemitic incidents increase.
MFoST has requested a further meeting with the Premier and relevant Ministers to review official responses to feedback and ensure groups representing Palestinians, Muslims, Christians, and dissenting Jewish perspectives are included in policy-making.
Implications for Jewish Students & Community
Jewish advocacy groups state that this controversy matters beyond curriculum design. They view it as connected to broader debates over free expression, communal security, and how minority victimhood is recognized. They warn that policies lacking clear definitions or procedural transparency may leave Jewish students and institutions vulnerable.
For pro-Israel and Jewish readers, the outcome of this issue will signal whether Manitoba is committed to protecting Jewish life, ensuring truth in education, and defending the boundary between legitimate government policy critique and antisemitism.
This article is based on verified information from CIJA public statements, Manitoba government releases, and the MFoST letter as provided to the media.