Star of David adopted for calendar

Board changes course after backlash over leaked email about menorah as symbol of Judaism

- ISABEL TEOTONIO, KRISTIN RUSHOWY

Confusion and public outcry following a leaked email posted on social media has prompted the York Region District School Board to apologize and adopt the Star of David as the symbol of Judaism on its multifaith calendar.

The uproar at the York board came after an internal email by a senior board official was shared online, explaining the rationale for using the menorah as the symbol for Jewish holidays and observances on the calendar — instead of the Star of David, which was described as a “political” symbol.

The official explains in an email sent Tuesday that the group responsible for creating the calendar — a non-profit organization called the Multifaith Action Society — “consulted with various faith leaders to determine appropriate symbols for different religions.”

“For Judaism, the menorah was chosen over the Star of David due to its purely religious significance, while the Star of David carries political connotations with the state of Israel,” she wrote in an email to a trustee and superintendent. “This decision aligns with our commitment to interfaith dialogue and avoids political associations in the multi-faith calendar.”

It’s unclear what prompted the email. But it seems to have been in response to a question from the trustee and superintendent about why the menorah, instead of the Star of David, is used to represent Judaism in the calendar.