An unidentified man shattered the windows of the Shaarei Torah Congregation synagogue in Toronto early Tuesday before fleeing the scene. Local police have opened an investigation and are conducting an active search for the suspect.
According to police, the suspect is described as a man in his 20s, with a slim build and short dark hair. He was wearing a black hooded coat, black pants, and black shoes with white markings. Authorities released his image in hopes of identifying him. When crimes are suspected to be hate-motivated, the investigation is handled by Toronto’s dedicated hate crimes unit.
Rabbi Joe Kanofsky told The National Post that the local Jewish community was shaken but resolute. “It’s important to recognize that no one in our synagogue was hurt. It happened outside operating hours when the building was empty,” he said. Kanofsky noted that in response to previous attacks, the synagogue had installed enhanced security measures, including a perimeter fence, motion detectors, and a locked gate. Federal funding through Canada’s Community Security Program helped add barriers and a surveillance camera system.
Despite the repeated hostility, Kanofsky emphasized that the congregation remains steadfast. “We will continue praying and doing good,” he said. The rabbi described how the community has endured recurring acts of vandalism over the past 18 months. “Although it’s been quiet recently since we upgraded security, I can’t say I’m surprised this happened again,” he added, recalling that the first incident occurred around April 2024.
He also thanked Toronto police for their consistent presence at Jewish institutions. “Since the Pittsburgh synagogue attack in 2019, we’ve had private security during every service. I want to thank Toronto police, who in the past two years have been very present around synagogues, schools, and all Jewish sites. It’s unimaginable that this is what’s required for people to feel relatively safe attending prayer in their own community.”
Kanofsky said the congregation has also received heartfelt support from its neighbors. “Just on Oct. 7, we got a beautiful handwritten note from a Christian neighbor who walks by on his way to work. Despite the heavy security, we’ve received the warmest support we could hope for,” he said.
But the rabbi had a message for political leaders as well. “People are counting on their leaders to make it clear that such acts will not be tolerated,” he said. “In the past two years I’ve heard politicians say things like, ‘Violence has no place in our society.’ Apparently, violence has quite a place, because it’s what people use to intimidate, harm, and disrupt others’ lives.”