Jason Waxman
April 2025

Since October 7, much of what we believed about Jewish life in North America has been challenged.  In the face of growing concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students in public secondary schools, a group of concerned community members, parents and teachers, with the support of the Hamilton Jewish Federation, are pleased announce the launch of Ontario Jewish Collegiate (OJC), a groundbreaking and transformative initiative that marks a significant milestone in the history of our community. 

Through a dynamic and forward-thinking academic environment, students will gain the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.  Furthermore, the school will provide a safe and nurturing space where Jewish students can grow in confidence and deepen their Jewish identity. Serving students from Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, the Niagara region, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, and Brantford, it is committed to fostering academic excellence. 

The school will offer a safe and supportive environment where Jewish students can build confidence, strengthen their Jewish identity, and foster a deep connection to Israel. The establishment of Ontario Jewish Collegiate is fueled by a commitment to developing confident, engaged, and proud Jewish leaders who will make a lasting impact both within the Jewish community and beyond. With a focus on academic excellence, Jewish values, and real-world experiences, the school aims to set new standards for Jewish high school education across Southern Ontario.

OJC presents an opportunity to attract new families to the region. It also aims to retain Jewish families in Hamilton, encouraging them to invest in a future here.

The school is fostering strategic partnerships with institutions and professionals who can provide students with mentorship opportunities, career guidance, and real-world applications of classroom learning. These collaborations will ensure students graduate with the skills and confidence to excel in their chosen fields. 

An anonymous donor has pledged a significant donation to enhance the school’s coding, robotics, and STEM education programs. The donation will enable the future purchase of cutting-edge materials to enrich the curriculum with practical learning experiences in technological innovation. 

At the heart of OJC’s strategic development is its advisory board, which will play a crucial role in shaping the school’s curriculum, refining its pedagogy and ensuring that OJC remains at the forefront of academic excellence. Members of the board include: 

• Hadassa Halpern,  executive director of the Ronald S. Lauder Impact Initiative. Halpern has been instrumental in leading impactful changes in 20 European Jewish day schools. With experience transforming Jewish education and a Harvard executive MBA, she brings innovative, strategic leadership to OJC. 

• Daniel Held, chief program officer at UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and executive director of the Julia and Henry Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Education. Held has dedicated his career to Jewish education,  academic excellence and Jewish identity integration. 

• Romy Friedman, chair of Hamilton Jewish Federation’s education commitee and receipient of the 2024 Sharon Enkin Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education. An expert in science education, Friedman consulted for the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and contributed to Oxford University Press. 

• Jaime Kirzner-Roberts, a senior director of policy and advocacy at Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC), who is a dedicated advocate against antisemitism. She works closely with Canadian government officials, law enforcement, and academia to strengthen Holocaust education. 

• Josh Schwarcz, secretary general of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Schwarcz serves on the boards of Birthright Israel, Masa Israel Journey, and the Israel Museum. His extensive expertise in Jewish community development will be invaluable in advancing OJC’s mission. 

This diverse team of advisors will help OJC students connect with industry leaders, explore career pathways, and gain learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. 

The school will also introduce a weekly program called IMPACT: Empowering Leaders, Inspiring Change, which will equip students with the tools to combat antisemitism and misinformation, and serve as effective voices for the Jewish community. 

Community service will also play a central role through meaningful, impact-driven projects. IMPACT reflects OJC’s dedication to developing the next generation of Jewish leaders. 

As we build a school of excellence, we invite students, families, and community members to join us on this transformative journey. With the support of our advisory board, leading educators, and industry mentors, Ontario Jewish Collegiate will equip students with the tools to succeed, inspire change, and lead with integrity. 

Please join us at our open house on Monday, April 7 at 8 p.m. at JHamilton, 1605 Main Street W. in Hamilton. We request that interested parents with school-aged children complete our parent survey that can be found by visiting ontariojewish.ca.