What’s Happening
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, along with other local officials and Jewish leaders, participated in a rally supporting Bais Chaya Mushka, a Jewish girls’ school targeted by gunfire on Saturday morning. The school, part of the Chabad-Lubavitch network, had its building damaged but reported no injuries as no one was present during the incident.
Why It Matters
This rally underscores the community’s resilience and solidarity in the face of what Mayor Chow described as a “despicable, antisemitic act.” It also reflects ongoing concerns about antisemitism in Canada and the global implications for Jewish communities.
Details
Early Saturday morning, two masked suspects emerged from a dark vehicle and fired multiple shots at Bais Chaya Mushka, causing minor damage including a bullet hole in one of its windows.
“It was pretty shocking, it was something that’s totally unexpected,” said Rabbi Yaakov Vidal, the principal of Chaya Mushka Elementary. Despite the incident, Vidal expressed gratitude for the security measures in place and the police presence ensuring safety for the students.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
Law enforcement, including hate crimes investigators, are investigating the incident. Police have not yet determined whether this was a hate crime but released footage of the suspects’ vehicle and increased police presence around schools and synagogues.
Bais Chaya Mushka had recently spent around $180,000 on security upgrades, including a perimeter fence, which Vidal credited as a deterrent that prevented the gunmen from entering the property.
Broader Context
This incident is part of a wider reported rise in antisemitic events in Canada and across the globe, amplified by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Daniel Held, the Toronto Jewish federation’s Chief Program Officer, linked the rising incidents to increased dehumanization of Jews and Israelis.
With the community and local leaders rallying together, efforts to secure legislative protections for religious institutions continue amid a backdrop of heightened security and awareness.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.