Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd confirmed today that Sunday night’s shooting outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue was a hate-motivated crime, stating: “Make no mistake, this was a targeted attack against the Jewish community.” Police say the gunman yelled, “you’re going to die for the Jews” before opening fire on Constable Jeff Smith. The attack unfolded as members of Belleville’s Jewish community gathered for Kol Nidre services on Yom Kippur. Constable Smith, who was stationed outside the synagogue, was shot multiple times but continued to engage the attacker. Less than three minutes later, Constable Michael McCurdy arrived and immediately moved toward the danger. Chief Rodd said the actions of both officers prevented what could have become an “unimaginable tragedy.” Constable Jeff Smith and Constable Michael McCurdy are heroes. They put themselves directly in harm’s way and stopped an armed attacker outside a synagogue filled with Jewish worshippers on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. We are profoundly grateful for their courage and continue to pray for Constable Smith, as he remains in critical condition. This is where we are in Canada. Every Canadian should be shaken to their core by this.

What should have been a solemn evening of prayer became a terrifying scene as gunfire erupted outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville during Kol Nidre services. Our hearts are with the congregation and the entire Belleville Jewish community, and with Const. Jeff Smith, who was shot while protecting those gathered inside. We are deeply grateful for his courage and pray for his full and speedy recovery. A synagogue should always be a place of prayer, community and safety. FSWC stands with Belleville’s Jewish community during this deeply troubling time. Read our statement: fswc.ca/news/fswc-stands-wit…

JEWISH COMMUNITY GROUPS WELCOME ONTARIO ACTION TO HOLD UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ACCOUNTABLE In response to the Government of Ontario’s announcement of new directives to strengthen accountability at Ontario universities under Bill 166, @HillelOntario , the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the @CanadianFSWC , @UJAFederation , the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics, @AlliedVoicesIL , and @StandWithUsCA released the following joint statement: “The Ontario government has introduced new requirements to strengthen how colleges and universities respond to hate and discrimination on campus — including minimum requirements for policies and rules, clearer complaint processes including ensuring that regardless where complaints are submitted they are referred through the complaint’s mechanism process, anti-hate training, and new consequences for institutions that fail to comply. "At Toronto Metropolitan University, Justice Benotto found that existing policies were too often not enforced “consistently and decisively.” These new measures reinforce a simple principle: institutions must not only have rules, they must enforce them. "We have consistently called for stronger accountability and meaningful consequences when institutions fail to protect students or enforce their own policies. "As Jewish students face harassment, exclusion and discrimination on campuses across Ontario, including through antizionist behaviour, policies cannot exist only on paper. Institutions must act — and there must be consequences when they fail to do so. "This is an important step forward by the Ontario government toward ensuring universities are accountable for providing safe and welcoming campuses for all students and staff." Read more details: ontario.ca/page/ministers-di…?

Shana Tova! 🍎🍯 As we welcome 5787, Rosh Hashanah offers a time for reflection, renewal and new beginnings. Wishing you and your loved ones a sweet new year filled with health, happiness, peace and hope. From all of us at FSWC, Shana Tova U’Metuka!

Update: As per below, TPS has confirmed that their hate crime unit will investigate this incident, following a criminal complaint that FSWC filed yesterday afternoon.

FSWC welcomes Alberta Justice Debra Yungwirth’s ruling affirming the University of Alberta’s authority to dissolve an endowment named for Yaroslav Hunka, who served in the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS during the Second World War. In a statement released yesterday, the university indicated it did not intend to take similar action with respect to its other remaining endowments linked to individuals who served in the same division, and instead would commit $100,000 over three years to research the Waffen-SS. Research cannot substitute for institutional accountability. These endowments have no place at the University of Alberta or any Canadian institution of higher learning. Read our full statement here: fswc.ca/news/fswc-calls-on-u…

A new report paints a troubling picture of campus life for Jewish students in Canada. The Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences (CASE) report, released today by the Office of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, found that 96% of Jewish students experienced or witnessed at least one antisemitic incident, including incidents involving professors and university administrators. In response, FSWC, CIJA and B’nai Brith Canada issued the following joint statement: “At a time when synagogues, Jewish schools, and Jewish-owned businesses are being shot at and firebombed, and when Jews are disproportionately the victims of hate crimes, this report makes clear that antisemitism has also taken root in our public institutions – including our universities. “The finding that 96% of Jewish students experienced or witnessed at least one antisemitic incident, including from professors and administrators, is further evidence of what Prime Minister Carney himself acknowledged: Canada is failing Jewish Canadians. “As organizations representing Jewish communities across the country, we call on university leaders and governments at every level to carefully consider this report and the recommendations by the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics. “The drivers of this hatred – including anti-Zionism – are well known, and the time to act is now. We need concrete actions to protect Canadian students.” Read the joint statement and learn more about the urgent action needed to protect Jewish students on FSWC’s website.

FSWC welcomes the Inspector General’s leadership in issuing these important recommendations for strengthening police responses to hate crimes against the Jewish community, and appreciates the collaborative process that helped inform it, including the June 15 meeting with community organizations and policing leaders. Addressing antisemitic and hate-motivated incidents takes the same kind of teamwork we saw in that discussion. We want to acknowledge the many organizations and police leaders who helped shape this work, and we’re ready to support implementation with evidence-based education, practical training and strong partnerships – drawing on FSWC’s long history of operational police training across Ontario.

In his latest @TorontoStar column, FSWC President and CEO @LevittMichael outlines why Canada should not pursue renewed engagement with the Iranian regime, emphasizing that accountability, not normalization, must guide Canada's approach. Drawing on his experience as Chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael reflects on the powerful testimony of victims, dissidents and families affected by the regime's human rights abuses, terrorism and repression. He explains why Canada must stand firmly with the people of Iran, not the regime that oppresses them. Read the full column here: fswc.ca/news/canada-should-e…

Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦 Today we celebrate our country, our shared values and the communities that make Canada strong. Wishing everyone a safe and joyful day.

We send our deepest condolences to the Montreal community, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) and the families of Const. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane and Michael Mizrahi following yesterday’s tragic shooting. The loss of a dedicated police officer and an innocent bystander is a heartbreaking tragedy that has left many grieving. Our thoughts are with their loved ones, colleagues and all those affected by this horrific act of violence. May the memories of Const. Benredouane and Michael Mizrahi be a blessing.

More than 130 years after the Dreyfus Affair, its lessons remain urgent. In his latest @TorontoStar column, @LevittMichael reflects on France’s efforts to confront one of history’s most notorious examples of institutional antisemitism,cand why remembering Alfred Dreyfus matters today. As antisemitism continues to rise around the world, including here in Canada, the fight for truth, justice, and accountability is as relevant as ever. Read the full column here: fswc.ca/news/this-shameful-e…

Since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, our seven community organizations have consistently called for urgent government action to confront Canada’s antisemitism crisis. Today’s passage of the Combatting Hate Act is an important step forward, providing law enforcement and prosecutors with additional tools, including: ✅ New intimidation and obstruction offences to protect access to places of worship and community institutions. ✅ A new hate crime offence that imposes stronger penalties when crimes are motivated by hatred. ✅ A new offence targeting the wilful promotion of hatred through the public display of hate symbols and symbols of listed terrorist entities. Now that the Combatting Hate Act is law, it must serve as a catalyst for stronger enforcement to better protect communities and hold offenders accountable. Read the full joint statement here: fswc.ca/news/the-combatting-… @ALCCAcanada @bnaibrithcanada @CIJAinfo @cwaa_national @CAEFto

Following the tragic loss of Toronto Police Constable Marc Pinizzotto in the line of duty, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) invite you to share a memory, message, or tribute in his honour.   Your words will be shared with Marc’s family and help celebrate the life, service, and legacy of a man who touched so many lives.   Click here to contribute a message: jewishtoronto.com/constmarcp…

We are saddened by the tragic death of Toronto Police Service Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed in the line of duty today. Constable Pinizzotto served the people of Toronto for 18 years, including five years as a member of the Emergency Task Force. As Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said, “They are grieving a profound loss.” Today, that loss is felt far beyond his family and colleagues. It is felt across our city by all who value the courage and sacrifice of those who serve and protect. As the Toronto Police Service has rightly said, Constable Pinizzotto was “a hero in life, not death.” Michael Levitt, President and CEO of FSWC, said: “Constable Marc Pinizzotto dedicated his life to protecting the people of Toronto. His tragic death in the line of duty is a heartbreaking loss for his family, his colleagues and our entire city. We honour his courage, commitment and sacrifice, and extend our deepest condolences to all those mourning his loss. May his memory forever be a blessing.”

FSWC welcomes the five additional arrests announced by Toronto Police in connection with antisemitic signs displayed and distributed at the March 15 demonstration at Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West. FSWC filed the original complaint with police following this deeply disturbing incident, and we are pleased to see action being taken. It is unacceptable that hateful rhetoric and antisemitic signage continue to appear at anti-Israel demonstrations in our city. Those who promote hatred should not be able to hide behind masks or disguises to avoid accountability.

We are overjoyed to share that Esti has been found safe nearly two weeks after going missing near Earl Bales Park in Toronto. We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary outpouring of support from our community and from people who came from near and far to help search, share information and bring Esti home. Thank you as well to @TorontoPolice for their tireless investigation and extraordinary efforts throughout this search. Most importantly, we are deeply relieved that Esti has been found safe.

Shavuot is one of the major Jewish holidays, marking the moment the Jewish people received the Torah at Mount Sinai more than 3,000 years ago. Celebrated seven weeks after Passover, it is a time of learning, reflection and community. As we celebrate the giving of the Torah and the enduring strength of Jewish tradition, may this holiday inspire reflection and unity. In every generation, we carry forward our values, our history and our responsibility to stand proudly as Jewish people. Wishing you and your loved ones a meaningful, peaceful and joyous Shavuot.