Four mezuzahs were ripped from apartment doorframes in a Toronto seniors’ apartment complex on Thursday, according to York Centre Councillor James Pasternak and the Toronto Police Service.
Based on both sources, this was the second incident in a month in which the containers of Jewish scripture were vandalized in a Toronto seniors’ condominium.
The Toronto Police Service is investigating the incident, and the Hate Crime Unit has been notified.
Pasternak wrote on X/Twitter that the defaced Bayview Avenue building is home to many Jewish seniors, including Holocaust survivors.
“The case of mezuzahs being vandalized is another example of the hate that has infected our city, often a result of incitement from mobs on the streets and online hate,” he said in a statement.
“There must be universal condemnation of these acts. And there must be consequences,” Pasternak continued. “The chants on the streets and the feeling of lawlessness are leading Toronto to the abyss.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said that as Christmas celebrations commence, Jews have been the continued target of hate crimes. The organization called for law enforcement and government action.
Second antisemitic incident of this kind in December
B’nai Brith Canada said on social media that the increasing frequency of such incidents indicated the normalization of antisemitism in society.
“The intent of the perpetrators is clear: Jews are not welcome and do not belong in our communities,” it said.
In an earlier incident, 20 mezuzahs were torn from doorposts in an apartment building on December 7, according to the Toronto Police Service.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said on X that this event occurred at a seniors’ residence as well.
“This is an outrageous and vile act of antisemitism,” said Chow. “This is a public supportive housing building for seniors. They deserve to live in peace without fear of being targeted for being Jewish.”