Anti-semitic incidents in Thornhill mar Rosh Hashanah celebrations

Victim shares video of verbal barrage directed at father, son in their vehicle

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 24, 2020
John Cudmore

This man made several anti-Semitic remarks to a father and son outside a synagogue in Thornhill just before the start of Rosh Hashanah Sept. 18. - Evan Sendrow/Facebook

Two anti-Semitic incidents in Thornhill marred Rosh Hashanah celebrations in the Jewish community last weekend.

York Regional Police are investigating the incidents, which occurred as the Jewish community celebrated its New Year from the night of Sept. 18 to the night of Sept. 20.

The first incident occurred just before the start to the holiday on Sept. 18, when a man accosted a Jewish father and his son outside a synagogue in Thornhill.

As the pair sat in a vehicle at an intersection near the Sephardic Kehlia Centre in the area of Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue, a man is seen yelling anti-Semitic remarks and vulgarities at them during a video captured by the younger victim.

The man then approached the vehicle and attempted to stick his hand in through the open passenger window.

The rant went on for close to one minute, the victim reported on Facebook, and the video captures the final few seconds.

WARNING: The video at the link below contains offensive language.

The victim asked B’nai Brith to share the video widely to help identify the perpetrator, the organization said.

A second incident occurred two days later, as the holiday was ending.

Two private garage doors, also in Thornhill, were defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti. A nearby vehicle was also vandalized.

Another incident occurred in Ottawa during outdoor services, when a man drove by, spat at worshippers and uttered verbal abuse.

York Regional Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the incidents to contact 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441.