Gunfire Damages North York Synagogue During Purim Celebrations, Investigation Underway

Toronto police are investigating after shots were fired at Temple Emanu-El, a synagogue in North York, late Monday night. The incident occurred around 10:50 p.m. Near Bayview Avenue and Highway 401, during the Jewish holiday of Purim.

No Injuries Reported, Hate Crime Unit Involved

No one was injured in the shooting, according to a police social media post. The Toronto Police Service’s gun and gang task force is leading the investigation, with assistance from the hate crime unit .

Rabbi Describes Shock and Disappointment

Rabbi Debra Landsberg, who was inside the synagogue with her congregation following Purim celebrations, described being “a bit shaken up” after hearing the gunshots . She stated she hadn’t slept much overnight and expressed devastation that “there are those in this society that want to shatter what we have here.”

Increased Police Presence and Community Response

Police have increased patrols in the area following the shooting . Several congregants arrived at the synagogue Tuesday morning to find the building taped off by police. Local representatives, including Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, MPP Stephanie Bowman, and MP Maggie Chi, joined Rabbi Landsberg in a show of solidarity .

Calls for Action and Condemnation

Councillor Chernos Lin called for a task force involving multiple levels of law enforcement – the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and Toronto police – to address hate crimes targeting the Jewish community .

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the shooting as “an unacceptable act of antisemitism and intimidation,” stating that such targeting of faith communities is “never acceptable” . Premier Doug Ford also denounced the incident as a “targeted act of antisemitism” . Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree stated that violence has no place in Canadian communities and emphasized the demand to stand against antisemitism and hate .

Regional Police Increase Vigilance

York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween announced an increased police presence near faith-based institutions, community centres, schools, and gathering places in York Region . Peel Regional Police will also increase its presence at places of worship, though they stated there are no known related threats in that region .

Previous Incidents at Nearby Synagogue

While the damage at Temple Emanu-El appears to be new, police noted that Kehillat Shaarei Torah, another synagogue in the area, has been targeted by vandals at least 10 times in the past two years . Rabbi Landsberg confirmed that Temple Emanu-El had offered support to the sister synagogue during those attacks.

Deputy Chief Robert Johnson is scheduled to provide an update on the investigation at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday .