



May is designated as Jewish Heritage Month on the Peel District School Board’s Days of Significance Calendar for the 2023-24 school year. And on the 15th day of that same month, the board decided, unironically, ahead of this school year, to include Nakba Remembrance Day, which Palestinians commemorate to mourn the creation of the one Jewish state — Israel.
I don’t necessarily blame Peel District School Board, which is responsible for over 250 schools in the Greater Toronto Area, making it Canada’s second-largest school board. Its calendar is comprehensive to the point of silliness. It includes the Harvestide for Wiccans, Gyan Panchami for Jainism and Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Perhaps in an attempt to highlight “secular and creed-based days of significance,” the board thought Palestinians deserve a day of their own, too. Or perhaps I’m being too kind.