Police investigating after man caught on video vandalizing Thornhill synagogue

"All forms of hate are unacceptable," says Kathleen Wynne as community members and politicians speak out against what appears to be anti-Semitic violence.

Thestar.com
March, 21, 2018
By Alexandra Jones

York Regional Police are investigating after the front doors of a synagogue in Thornhill were smashed in an apparent outburst of anti-Semitic violence caught on camera.

Surveillance videos posted by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan on Facebook show a male figure in a dark coat run up to the walkway in front of the Chabad Flamingo building, pick up what appears to be a large rock off the ground, and hurl it up the steps against the glass face of the left-most door with enough force that the rock split in two upon rebounding. Although the suspect then initially walked away, out of view of the camera, less than a minute passed before he came running back up the steps to pick up a fragment of his original projectile and throw it point blank at the same door before finally walking away.

Footage from another camera inside the synagogue shows it was this second strike that did the most damage, leaving the glass from two doors covered in cracks and popped out of place.

"Clearly this is a willful and premeditated attack on a Synagogue," Kaplan wrote in his post.

The vandalism happened in the area of Bathurst St. and Worth Blvd. shortly after 9:40 a.m. Police say they are reviewing the security footage, and ask anyone who may have information on this man to come forward.

Since the attack, members of the community and officials have spoken out in condemnation of the unidentified man's actions.

B'nai Brith Canada, the country's oldest independent Jewish organization, shared the news story on their Facebook page, saying they were "appalled" and had reached out to offer their "full support and assistance."

Gila Martow, MPP for Thornhill, released a statement calling the attack "cowardly."

"What happened today was felt to be a deliberate act of hate against the Jewish community", said MPP Martow. "With Passover coming up, it is imperative that all community members are safe in their places of worship.

"The Jewish community sadly continues to be one of the most targeted minority groups. Today's events are a reminder that there is much work to be done in combating the forces of hate and anti-Semitism. I join my friends and neighbours in expressing our shock and disappointment, and our hope that the perpetrator of this act is brought to justice."

"Abhorrent" was the word Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua chose to use regarding the "anti-Semitic violence.

"We all have a responsibility to stand up for our neighbours and build inclusive, welcoming and safe communities for citizens of all backgrounds."

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne tweeted that the vandalism is "reprehensible."

"I stand strongly beside the congregants of this shul & Ontario's Jewish community. All forms of hate are unacceptable & we must keep working to combat hatred, intolerance & anti-Semitism," the tweet reads.