Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Matthew Taub: Three synagogues hit by bullets. So much for 'antisemitism has no place here'

It's the political equivalent of 'thoughts and prayers' and appears after vandalism, threats and protests outside Jewish institutions

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

First it was Temple Emanu-El. Then overnight Saturday gunfire struck BAYT (Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto) and Shaarei Shomayim.

Three Jewish houses of worship. Three shooting incidents.

It is the phrase that now functions as the political equivalent of “thoughts and prayers.”

Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings.

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Channel Israel will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

It appears after vandalism. It appears after threats. It appears after protests outside Jewish institutions.

And it will almost certainly appear again now that bullets have been fired into synagogues.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford previously described the shooting at Temple Emanu-El as “a vile and targeted act of antisemitism” and said that “antisemitism has no place in our province.”

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner declared that “cowardly acts of antisemitism, violence and hate will never be normalized or accepted in Ontario.”

The language sounds strong. It is meant to reassure.

But if antisemitism truly had no place in Ontario, synagogues would not require concrete barriers. Jewish schools would not need armed security. Community institutions would not conduct threat assessments before hosting events.

Yet this is the reality Jewish communities across Canada now live with.

To say antisemitism has no place here while synagogues are being hardened like security installations is not a reflection of reality. It is a denial of it.

The uncomfortable truth is that antisemitism is not disappearing from Canadian life. It is thriving.

‘Bullets are flying': Two more Toronto-area synagogues hit by gunfire

Canadian Jews urged to be alert, cautious amid war on Iran

Advertisement 1Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

It thrives when mobs march through Jewish neighbourhoods chanting slogans calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.

It thrives when Jewish businesses are vandalized, when protests surround synagogues while congregants are inside.

And it thrives when someone feels confident enough to fire bullets into Jewish houses of worship in the largest city in Canada.

Deputy Chief Rob Johnson of the Toronto Police Service told the public that “a shooting targeting a place of worship is unacceptable.”

Of course it is unacceptable.

But “unacceptable” is the word you use when you receive bad service at an expensive restaurant. It is not the language a society should use when bullets are fired into a synagogue.

The deeper question is why it keeps happening. This is part of a pattern that has been developing steadily. Jewish institutions and businesses have faced repeated attacks and threats for more than two years.

Each incident follows the same sequence: condemnation, investigation, assurances that hate will not be tolerated. Then the next incident occurs.

‘Bullets are flying': Two more Toronto-area synagogues hit by gunfire Canada

‘Bullets are flying': Two more Toronto-area synagogues hit by gunfire

Inside the Crown's teetering case against billionaire Frank Stronach at Toronto rape trial Toronto

Inside the Crown's teetering case against billionaire Frank Stronach at Toronto rape trial

Advertisement 2Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

This hockey team has lost every single one of its 48 games this season. Its last shot at a win is this weekend News

This hockey team has lost every single one of its 48 games this season. Its last shot at a win is this weekend

'Canada's got a great team, too': U.S. Republican senator says Olympic men's hockey game was 'well played' Canada

'Canada's got a great team, too': U.S. Republican senator says Olympic men's hockey game was 'well played'

Jamie Sarkonak: Chief justice says existence of Canada's border is discrimination NP Comment

Jamie Sarkonak: Chief justice says existence of Canada's border is discrimination

Are we waiting until a mass casualty event before the seriousness of the threat is fully recognized? That is the trajectory the Jewish community fears.

Escalation rarely announces itself in advance. It unfolds step by step until a line is crossed that cannot be undone.

There is another word that has echoed through demonstrations across Canadian cities for nearly two years: “intifada.”

Many people treat it as a slogan. But historically the word refers to waves of violence and intimidation directed at Jewish civilians.

When Jewish businesses are vandalized, when protests surround synagogues, and when gunfire strikes houses of worship, the pattern begins to resemble exactly what that word has meant in practice.

Three synagogues shot in one week is not random noise. It is escalation.

A synagogue is not simply another building. It is where families gather, where children learn their heritage, and where generations celebrate life’s milestones.

If synagogues can be shot in Toronto, three of them in the span of a single week,  then antisemitism clearly does have a place here.

The question now facing Canada’s leaders is whether they are prepared to confront that reality before the next escalation forces them to.

Matthew Taub is the Executive Director of Unapologetically Jewish, a registered national organization fighting antisemitism. 

Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Lose an hour, not your sleep: The products that actually help Tips on maintaining your sleep schedule during time changes 22 hours ago Sleep

Lose an hour, not your sleep: The products that actually help

Tips on maintaining your sleep schedule during time changes

Top carpet cleaners that can handle tough messes Whether you have kids or pets, find options for every use and budget 1 day ago Home Living

Top carpet cleaners that can handle tough messes

Whether you have kids or pets, find options for every use and budget

The best online deals in the Canadian retail space right now Cozy Earth, Saje and Explore Hardware, to name a few 1 day ago Deals

The best online deals in the Canadian retail space right now

Cozy Earth, Saje and Explore Hardware, to name a few

Advertisement 3Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.document.addEventListener(`DOMContentLoaded`,function(){let template=document.getElementById(`oop-ad-template`);if(template&&!template.dataset.adInjected){let clone=template.content.cloneNode(!0);template.replaceWith(clone),template.parentElement&&(template.parentElement.dataset.adInjected=`true`)}});

Here's where to buy official 2026 World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver No matter who you're cheering for, here's where you can find World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver for any budget with Video 1 day ago News

Here's where to buy official 2026 World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver

No matter who you're cheering for, here's where you can find World Cup merch in Metro Vancouver for any budget

NARS releases matte take on a fan-favourite foundation Expert tips to apply a matte formula from a Canadian pro 1 day ago Fashion & Beauty

NARS releases matte take on a fan-favourite foundation

Expert tips to apply a matte formula from a Canadian pro

© National Post