Building bridges, not barriers: Upholding multifaith values on campus

At Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), we believe that dialogue, respect and collaboration are essential to building a campus community where every person feels safe, supported and valued. These principles guide our engagement with all members of our diverse university community - across all faiths, backgrounds and perspectives.

It is deeply unfortunate that Hillel Ontario has chosen to withdraw its invitation for the president of TMU to participate in the annual Multifaith Shabbat - an event that, for many years, has stood as a powerful symbol of unity, shared values and mutual understanding among TMU students of all faiths. Their recent public statements suggesting that the university has not done enough for Jewish students misrepresent both the ongoing efforts of TMU to support all faith communities and the spirit of partnership that this event embodies. While the Multifaith Shabbat is a cherished and important initiative, it is just a small part of the ongoing work being done with the community across TMU. 

True leadership in moments of disagreement means choosing conversation over condemnation, and building bridges rather than tearing them down. Universities play a vital role in fostering open dialogue during challenging times, in providing spaces where diverse voices can meet with respect, empathy and critical thought, turning disagreement into understanding and challenges into collective growth. The decision to exclude rather than engage - to close the door on dialogue - undermines these ideals and the values that the Multifaith Shabbat was created to celebrate.

TMU remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety and inclusion of Jewish students, as well as students from every background. We continue to collaborate and partner with our entire community to ensure that our campus remains a place of mutual respect and belonging, even when conversations are difficult.

We invite all members of the TMU community to consider ways to get engaged in creating a bright, just and caring future - whether it be through the Community Building Working Group Initiatives, joining a Community Network Committee, or exploring one of the hundreds of services, offices, clubs, societies and more that are on offer at TMU. 

Only by coming together in good faith can we address the many challenges so many of us are experiencing to meaningfully and intentionally strengthen the bonds that make our community whole.