Montreal man charged in synagogue arson

The Westmount synagogue’s rabbi said the attack was “not surprising” considering the recent uptick in antisemitic violence targeting Canadian Jews.

By World Israel News Staff

A Montreal man is facing arson-related charges after allegedly attempting to burn down a local synagogue in the early hours of Friday morning, marking yet another attack on Canada’s Jewish community.

Montreal’s Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom synagogue was targeted when the suspect — identified in media reports as Steven Luu, 38 — allegedly smashed a window before setting the fire.

The blaze was extinguished relatively quickly, and no injuries were reported, though the building sustained damage.

Luu was taken into custody by law enforcement near the scene.

Canadian media reports indicate that Luu, who has a previous burglary conviction, is facing charges of arson and possession of incendiary and explosive materials.

Notably, he has not been charged with a hate crime.

He is also expected to undergo a mental health evaluation to determine his fitness to stand trial.

The synagogue’s rabbi, Lisa Grushcow, told Canadian Jewish News that “we are unfortunately not surprised” by the attack.

“We cannot ignore the broader issues and the unmistakable rise of antisemitism in our city and our country. We also know that we are seeing an escalation: a swastika spray-painted on our building last spring, and now, an arson attack,” she said.

In an email to congregants, Grushcow expressed frustration with local politicians and police, calling on authorities to be “proactive, not reactive.”

Paul Levine, a local politician, told reporters outside the synagogue on Friday morning that the arson attack was “very disturbing for our community.”

Ron Vineberg, a Jewish resident of Westmount, the neighborhood where the synagogue is located, said he was “outraged” by the attack.

“It’s a horrible thing. And there are no words to describe it,” he told Canadian Jewish News.

“It’s just Jew hatred, plain and simple.”