
An object was hurled through the window of a Toronto shul over Shabbos, Toronto police reported, the second violent attack against a Canadian Jewish institute in less than 24 hours.
The window of Mishkan Avraham was shattered, though baruch Hashem no injuries were reported. An investigation has been opened, but no suspects have been identified.
The attack came just one day after Molotov cocktails were thrown at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in the Montreal area in an apparent arson attempt. The Westmount Public Safety Department quickly arrested a suspect, identified by local media as Steven Luu, a resident of the St. Leonard borough. He reportedly faces six charges, including arson, arson by negligence, and possession of an explosive device. The temple sustained no significant damage.
The Consulate General of Israel in Toronto strongly condemned both incidents. “Within 24 hours, Jewish houses of worship in two Canadian cities were targeted in violent antisemitic incidents,” the consulate said in a statement. “These attacks come only days after Prime Minister Mark Carney publicly acknowledged that Canada is facing a severe antisemitism crisis and that Jewish Canadians are being disproportionately targeted. These recent attacks demonstrate precisely why expressions of concern must now be accompanied by decisive action.”
The consulate noted that the attacks reflect a broader pattern. “Jewish schools, community institutions, and places of worship continue to require extraordinary security measures simply to function,” the statement read. “A synagogue should never become a crime scene. A community should never have to wonder which Jewish institution will be attacked next. The time for symbolic gestures has passed. Canada must demonstrate, through concrete action, that antisemitic violence will be confronted with the full force of the law.”
The attacks came days after Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged in a speech at a Toronto shul that “Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians.” Carney announced the formation of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion to address rising antisemitism in the country.
More than 50,000 people are expected to participate in Sunday’s 57th annual Walk With Israel in Toronto. Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo announced heightened security for the event, including officers on foot, bicycle, and horseback. Barredo confirmed that counter-demonstrations would be permitted but warned that hate speech or hateful signage would be investigated.