MONTREAL -- The Council of Hasidic Jews of Quebec says ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools are not violating the Quebec government's decree by remaining open during the holiday break and the council is accusing Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge of using the Hasidic community as a scapegoat by unnecessarily poisoning the public debate. Earlier in December, the government decreed that elementary and secondary schools in Quebec would remain closed at least until Jan. 11 and that distance education would be provided to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. The Council of Hasidic Jews reports that the school calendar of its schools does not allow time off between late December and early January.