Toronto (March 7, 2026) – Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) expresses its horror and deep concern following the latest wave of shooting attacks on Jewish targets in the Toronto area. Overnight, synagogues in North York and Thornhill were hit with gunfire, only days after other local Jewish institutions experienced similar assaults.

According to police, the Shaarei Shomayim Congregation and Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto (BAYT) were both struck by gunfire overnight, with no injuries reported.

Earlier this week, another Toronto synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, as well as several Jewish enterprises, Old Avenue Restaurant and York Entrepreneurship Development Institute (YEDI) in North York, were targeted by gunfire.

In response to the incidents, FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt issued the following statement:

“As is so often the case when Israel is in the news, Jewish communities around the world quickly become targets of hatred and violence. Sadly, this week in Canada, we saw that dynamic play out yet again. Gunfire targeting synagogues should shock the conscience of Canadians. Instead, it risks becoming another headline. While public officials have condemned these incidents and law enforcement has launched investigations, that alone is not enough. Given what we see happening and what’s at stake, Canada’s leaders must confront this moment with utmost urgency. Our synagogues, schools and businesses should not have to live under the threat of violence simply because they are Jewish. It's imperative that all levels of government make available all necessary resources to ensure the safety and security of Jews and Jewish institutions.

“Canada has long prided itself on being a country where people of all backgrounds can live safely and freely. For Jewish Canadians, that promise must be more than just words. It must be reflected in decisive action that makes clear that antisemitism and violence against the Jewish community violate the core values of this country.”