Councillor reports three private schools for virus violations

One Jewish institution says it’s open only for daycare, religious services

Toronto public health is investigating complaints that several independent religious schools in North Toronto have remained open despite a citywide order to move to online.

Coun. Michael Colle, who represents Eglinton-Lawrence, reported three private schools in his ward to public health after receiving complaints from area residents that the schools were “fully-operational, with students going to and from schools.”

Colle said he’s “very concerned” the schools have violated public health orders. Hundreds of thousands of Toronto students moved to online learning on April 7 under orders from the city’s top doctor as the province battles a thirdwave of COVID-19.

“It’s for the safety of the children, the safety of the community, and I take that very seriously,” he said.

The three schools Colle reported to public health are Orthodox Jewish schools, including Bais Yaakov Elementary School, Kollel Avreichim and Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah. Only Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah replied to the Star’s request for comment. It is not known if the other two schools are still open to students.

Colle’s office reported the schools to Toronto Public Health Monday. On Tuesday, the office asked public health to pay the schools an on-site visit “in order to investigate further.”

The executive director of Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah said Monday the school has ceased to provide in-class education, but remained open for religious services between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“TPH has been to the Yeshiva previously and can inspect at any time,” said Binyamin Septon, the school’s executive director. “I am confident that they will find nothing of concern. In the unlikely event that some modification were to be required, I fully anticipate doing so.”

In a statement, the school said children are being distributed within the building with “full attention paid to distancing requirements and any other public health requirements that pertain.”

Septon added that Yeshiva Yesodei Hatorah also operates a “fairly large daycare.” He said that in the past, “the heavy daycare activity has been mistaken for regular school operation.”

Toronto Public Health said “the city’s investigation in this matter remains ongoing” and that it could not provide specific comment.

Two senior rabbis of two Orthodox Jewish synagogues penned a public letter addressing “fissures in our small and beautiful Orthodox community,” and urging people to follow public health guidelines.

“Some families and institutions have chosen to violate the municipal orders and medical protocols to close or limit our schools and shuls,” wrote Daniel Korobkin, senior rabbi of the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation and Chaim Strauchler, senior rabbi of the Shaarei Shomayim congregation.

“We are calling upon you, our friends, to be patient for just a few more weeks … let’s not give up the benefits of all the compliance to date that have come at great sacrifice,” the rabbis wrote.