What it is about

In Toronto, the Kehillat Shaarei Torah synagogue and other Jewish sites have once again been targeted in acts of antisemitism. The synagogue was vandalized for the eighth time since early October, while the Bais Chaya Mushka Elementary School suffered damage from a drive-by shooting for the third time. A community menorah in North York was also maliciously knocked down.

Why it matters

This worrying trend signifies persistent antisemitic sentiment directed at Jewish communities not only in Canada but globally. These acts are not isolated incidents but highlight a pressing issue that requires more substantial law enforcement support and societal awareness. Jewish communities have demonstrated resilience in response to such challenges and call for introspection on why symbols of peace, like calls for the return of hostages, become targets.

Current situation

The vandalism at Kehillat Shaarei Torah involved defacing a sign advocating for the return of hostages taken by Hamas, replaced with a misleading message. Another sign was altered to paint a provocative narrative against Israelis. The synagogue has also incurred significant expenses to boost its security against these repeated threats.

The bigger picture

The latest attacks illustrate a continuing effort to intimidate Jewish communities and curb their presence. In Canada, such behavior points toward an alarming increase in antisemitism, urging Canadian society to address these issues beyond just the Jewish community for broader social harmony. Kehillat Shaarei Torah’s Executive Director, Michael Gilmore, emphasized the undue empowerment of these acts and hoped for broader societal recognition of the danger to all.

This story was first published on jpost.com.