Synagogue Shootings in Toronto Area Spark Investigation, Heighten Community Concerns

Toronto, ON – Two synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were targeted in separate shooting incidents overnight on Saturday, March 7, 2026, prompting increased police presence and raising concerns within the Jewish community. The incidents occurred in North York and Vaughan, just days after another synagogue in North York was similarly targeted on Monday.

Details of the Shootings

Toronto police responded to reports of gunfire near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue shortly after midnight, discovering bullet holes in the front door of the Shaarei Shomayim synagogue . York Regional Police officers simultaneously investigated a shooting at Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto synagogue on Clark Avenue and Thornhill Boulevard in Vaughan, where suspects in a dark sedan reportedly “opened fire” . York Regional Police Deputy Chief Kevin McCloskey stated that officers have increased patrols around faith-based centers in response to global events, acknowledging the impact of international conflicts on local communities . He emphasized that hate and bigotry have no place in York Region, Ontario, or Canada.

Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca echoed these sentiments, describing the incidents as “horrific, antisemitic, Jew-hating” and expressing concern that members of the Jewish community “feel like they no longer have a future here in Canada” .

Investigation and Concerns About Rising Antisemitism

Police are investigating whether the two shootings are connected. The incidents follow a similar shooting at Temple Emanu-El in North York earlier in the week. Toronto police have noted a “deeply troubling rise of antisemitism” since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 .

Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, expressed shock and outrage, calling the attacks “abhorrent acts of violence” that undermine shared values of safety, dignity, and religious freedom. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto have called for “urgent action” to protect Canadians facing violence due to international events, stating that the Jewish community acutely feels the impact of Middle Eastern tensions .

Previous Incidents

The BAYT synagogue on Clark Avenue in Thornhill was also targeted in this recent wave of incidents .