Third Toronto synagogue hit by gunfire in one week

Police said 22 antisemitic occurrences have been reported in Toronto so far this year, representing roughly 63 percent of all reported hate-crime occurrences in the city.

By Shmuli Volkin, Jewish Breaking News

Two synagogues in the Toronto area were struck by gunfire overnight, marking the third shooting targeting a Jewish house of worship in the region in less than a week.

Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto in Thornhill and Shaarei Shomayim in North York were both hit shortly after midnight.

No injuries were reported, but the back-to-back attacks sent another shock wave through a community already rattled by the earlier shooting at Temple Emanu-El in North York.

In Thornhill, York Regional Police say officers responded near Clark Avenue and York Hill Boulevard around 11:49 p.m. and found evidence of gunfire directed at the building.

Police said two people were inside at the time and were unharmed, and investigators believe a dark sedan pulled up and opened fire.

Minutes later, Toronto police were called to Shaarei Shomayim near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue, where bullet holes were visible on the front doors. Authorities have not said the two shootings are connected.

The latest attacks came only days after Temple Emanu-El was hit following a Purim gathering. In that case, Toronto police said officers found multiple shell casings and gunfire damage at the entrance, and brought in the Hate Crime Unit along with the Integrated Gun & Gang Task Force.

Police also said 22 antisemitic occurrences have been reported in Toronto so far this year, representing roughly 63 percent of all reported hate-crime occurrences in the city.

Prime Minister Mark Carney called the new shootings “criminal antisemitic assaults” and said federal agencies, including the RCMP, would support local investigators. CIJA and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto said “thoughts and prayers” were no longer enough and demanded urgent action, arguing that Jewish communities in Canada are paying the price when tensions spike in the Middle East.

Police have since increased their presence around Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues, and other community institutions as the search for the gunmen continues.