60,000 strong. That's the power of our community. Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱❤️🇨🇦

Chag Sukkot Sameach, Jewish Toronto! 🌿🍋 As we gather together in our sukkot, we’re reminded that even in moments of vulnerability, there is strength in coming together. Sukkot invites us to embrace joy, share in our traditions, and support one another as a community. May this Sukkot be filled with the warmth of loved ones, the beauty of tradition, and the joy of being together. 💙 Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!

RT @TorontoPolice: Please see our statement on Belleville Police’s update on the shooting incident that occurred on Sunday, Sep. 20. https:…

(2/2) Canada is at a precipice – one step closer to the tragedies witnessed in Bondi Beach, Manchester and Boulder – and our leaders must take urgent and concrete actions before it is too late: 1. Enforce the law and hold criminals accountable We strongly support Justice Minister Sean Fraser’s call to convene provincial and territorial Public Safety Ministers and Attorneys General to establish a coordinated plan to enforce existing and new hate laws. This meeting must be held without further delay. 2. Ensure vulnerable communities have the resources to protect themselves Urgently implement vital reforms to maximize the impact of the Canada Community Security Program are implemented with urgency, to ensure community institutions can access every tool necessary. 3. Confront the drivers of rising extremism Governments must confront extremist ideologies, organizations and foreign state actors that promote, finance or facilitate violence in Canada, including the documented threat posed by Iran and its proxies. Government policies and rhetoric targeting Israel do not occur in a vacuum. Leaders must heed warnings by Canadian security officials and experts about extremists using conspiracy theories about Jews and criticism of Israeli policies to fuel radicalization, antisemitism and violence. Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy stepped forward when it mattered most. Our political leaders must do the same.

(1/2) Belleville Police Announce Attack Against Sons of Jacob Synagogue as Hate Crime Targeting the Jewish Community Today, authorities confirmed that the attack against Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue was a hate crime targeting the Jewish community. In response, Noah Shack, @nshack CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement: If not for the extraordinary bravery of Constable Jeff Smith, Canadians would have experienced the type of mass-casualty terror attack our security services have warned is a realistic possibility. We continue to pray for his full and speedy recovery. Today, Belleville Police released the name of a second officer that deserves our unending thanks. Constable Michael McCurdy quickly responded to shooting attack and saved countless lives. Constable Smith and Constable McCurdy’s heroism represent the very best of Canada. Their courage must now serve as a rallying call to elected officials at every level of government and to Canadians across the country to confront this growing threat to our national security and way of life. Police confirmed that this was a deliberate attack targeting members of the Jewish community and released video footage of the attacker stating, “You’re going to die for the Jews,” before the shooting began. Federal threat assessments have warned that “over the longer term, an environment in which the targeting of the Jewish community as a group frequently occurs and becomes more normalized will likely influence some susceptible individuals towards violent extremist pathways.” Extremists, like the gunman in Belleville, are being radicalized by conspiracy theories and libels about Jews to target Canadians.

Constable Jeff Smith put his life on the line protecting members of Belleville’s Jewish community as they gathered for Yom Kippur. Constable Smith represents the very best of Canada. When members of our community were in danger, he acted with courage and put himself in harm’s way to protect others. Constable Smith stood with us. Now it’s our turn to stand with him. Take a moment to thank him for his bravery and sacrifice, and support the fund for his recovery: 💙 Send a thank you: jewishtoronto.com/gratitude-… 💙 Donate: jewishcanada.org/belleville-… Our community is praying for his refuah shlemah — a full and speedy recovery.

As we emerge from Yom Kippur, we want to speak directly to our community about the horrific attack on Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville last night. As members of the congregation were preparing to begin Kol Nidre services, an armed man targeted the synagogue while congregants were inside. This marks a dangerous escalation. This was not an attack on an empty building. Congregants were inside when gunfire struck their synagogue and forced them to take cover. We cannot treat this as just another incident. We are thinking of the members of Sons of Jacob Synagogue, who should never have had to experience this. Constable Jeff Smith was shot while protecting the congregation and remains critically injured. We owe him, and the Belleville Police Service officers who responded, an enormous debt of gratitude. Our community is with Constable Smith, his family, and his colleagues as he receives care. Jewish Canadians must be able to enter a synagogue, gather in prayer, and live openly and proudly as Jews without fearing violence. What happened in Belleville should be unacceptable to every Canadian. No one in this country should have to fear violence when gathering to worship. The Jewish Security Network (JSN) has been working closely with law enforcement throughout the day. Police have increased their presence around Jewish institutions across the GTA, and JSN continues to monitor developments through its 24/7 Integrated Security Operations Centre and share information directly with community institutions. JSN is asking community members to remain aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity or security concerns immediately to police and to JSN’s Integrated Security Operations Centre at 437-222-3999. Our community stands with the Belleville Jewish community. We will not allow fear to determine how we live as Jews. Jewish life will continue here, openly and confidently. Those who threaten it do not get to decide its future.

Mazal Tov to Jewish Canadian filmmaker and producer Barry Avrich on winning TIFF’s People’s Choice Documentary Award for the second year in a row! 🎬💙 This year’s award recognizes “Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been”, produced by Avrich and fellow Jewish Canadian and community member, Mark Selby. Last year, they took home the same honour for “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue”. What a remarkable achievement, and what a great way to see Jewish Canadian talent and storytelling recognized on the TIFF stage. Mazal Tov, Barry and Mark! 🎉

RT @TorontoPolice: Earlier this week, Chief Superintendent Andy Singh joined members of the Jewish Security Network (JSN) in the @JSNSecuri…

Tonight marks the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. A sacred time for reflection, prayer, and connection, Yom Kippur invites us to look inward, seek forgiveness, and embrace renewal. To our community, we wish you a meaningful Yom Kippur and an easy fast to all who are fasting. May this holy day bring peace, clarity, and strength as we reflect on the year behind us and look toward the year ahead. G’mar Chatimah Tova, Jewish Toronto. May you be sealed in the Book of Life.

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…?

Thank you @yorkregionalpolice for helping keep our community safe this Rosh Hashanah and throughout the High Holidays.

Thank you @TorontoPolice for helping keep our community safe this Rosh Hashanah and throughout the High Holidays.

Shana Tova, Jewish Toronto! 🍎🍯 As we welcome Rosh Hashanah and the start of 5787, we are reminded that growth does not always begin with feeling ready. Often, it begins with a choice: how we show up, how we treat one another, and what we choose to do.

The Ten Days of Teshuvah invite us to reflect on those choices, to act with greater kindness and purpose, and to carry those values into the year ahead.

May 5787 bring growth, sweetness, peace, and security to our community, to Israel, and to Jewish communities everywhere. 💙 Read the full reflection by Adam Minsky, President & CEO, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto: jewishtoronto.com/news-media…

Today, we remember the nearly 3,000 people murdered on 9/11, including 24 Canadians, and honour the first responders and others who risked their lives to save others.

By staying aware, following security procedures, and reporting concerns, you can help keep our communities safe during Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays.  And if you see something, say something:  EMERGENCY: Call 911 first.    WHEN IT IS SAFE: Contact the JSN 24/7 Integrated Security Operations Centre at 437-222-3999.    NON-EMERGENCY: Report security concerns to JSN. Something minor may become important when combined with reports from other institutions or areas.

CIJA STRONGLY CONDEMNS CANADA'S SANCTIONS ON ISRAEL Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement: “We strongly condemn the Government of Canada’s announcement of new sanctions on Israel. “Rather than pursue an independent foreign policy grounded in Canada’s strategic interests and its stated approach of not ‘lecturing countries from afar,’ the government has chosen to follow the United Kingdom’s lead, in a move reportedly driven by domestic political considerations to appease the most extreme elements of society. "As Jewish Canadians prepare to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, including by increasing security at synagogues, the government’s announcement reinforces a troubling double standard toward Israel that not only impacts the Middle East but has real consequences here at home. The UK government drew a link between today's joint statement and the domestic security situation facing Jews, highlighting its investment of an additional £250 million (nearly $500 million CAD) for Jewish community security. Sanctions will also negatively impact Canadian workers and employers by adding to instability with key trade partners at this precarious time.” “These sanctions fail to advance peace or security for Israelis and Palestinians. They interfere in Israel’s democratic election just weeks before Israelis vote, a warning voiced by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They make diplomacy harder and do nothing to press the Palestinian Authority to fulfill the commitments it made to Prime Minister Carney, including fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state. “Canada should be using its influence to advance peace, strengthen the economy and confront hatred at home — not imposing punitive measures in the midst of a democratic election that will achieve the opposite.”

CIJA, @bnaibrithcanada, and @CanadianFSWC Call for Justice Following Antisemitic Hate Speech at Bathurst and Sheppard What happened at Bathurst and Sheppard this weekend was blatant antisemitism. An individual who is reportedly a university instructor stood in a Jewish neighbourhood and repeated some of the oldest and most vile lies and conspiracy theories about Jews – accusing Jews of using “black magic,” raping, murdering, and eating children. These are antisemitic blood libels that have been used for centuries to justify hatred and violence against Jews. For far too long, Bathurst and Sheppard has been a regular site of antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and provocation, too often under the guise of antizionism. We have seen how anti-Israel hate is being used to legitimize hostility toward Jewish Canadians, with increasingly dangerous consequences. When this behaviour is allowed to continue without meaningful consequences, the message is that targeting Jews in this way is acceptable. It is not. Toronto Police must investigate this incident and, where the law has been broken, charges must follow. There must be consequences for those who repeatedly use public demonstrations as cover to spread hatred, incitement and target Toronto’s Jewish community. Allowing this behaviour to go unchecked is to normalize antisemitism as an everyday feature of life in this city.

Today, on the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, we remember innocent Canadians murdered by terrorists around the world—including the eight Israeli-Canadians murdered by Hamas on October 7. Here in Canada, the threat of terrorism and politically motivated violence is growing. We’ve seen terrorism celebrated on our streets. Synagogues, community institutions, and businesses have been shot at and firebombed. Security services have warned about Iran’s Islamic regime directing attacks against the Iranian diaspora and Jewish community. These are urgent matters of national security. We should not have to live with the fear of a Bondi Beach-style attack on Canadian soil. Take two minutes to tell the Government of Canada: get tough on terrorism and ensure terrorists and their proxies find no safe haven in Canada: actionhub.ca/alert/victims-o…

In 2022, several municipal races were decided by fewer than 125 votes. When the margins are that small, every voice - and every vote - matters. On August 27, join UJA for a briefing with leaders from @CIJAinfo and @CJPAC to learn about the municipal election and how you can actively get involved in shaping our city’s future. The outcome of this election won’t be decided on election day alone. It will be determined by how our community chooses to participate in the lead up to these elections. Register now: ujafederation.zoom.us/webina…

Justice Mary Lou Benotto's release of an independent review into two incidents at @TorontoMet should have been a wake-up call for TMU’s administration.  The report found that TMU already has policies capable of addressing antisemitism, but that the university has too often failed to enforce its own rules “consistently and decisively.” Instead of immediately implementing her recommendations, TMU President Mohamed Lachemi has appointed a Task Force that won’t deliver its blueprint until March 2027. Our students cannot wait. Tell TMU: Set clear behavioural expectations, protect the rights of all members of its community, and enforce its own policies consistently and decisively. Take action: actionhub.ca/alert/tmu-must-…