UPDATE: Firebombing at Vancouver's Schara Tzedeck Synagogue

UPDATE: 

New details have emerged about last night’s events revealing that an incendiary device was not thrown at the doors of Schara Tzedeck, as was conveyed in early reports, instead an individual poured fuel and set the doors on fire.

We will continue to provide updates as they are known. Check https://x.com/CIJAinfo for the most current info.

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Last night, an individual poured fuel and set fire to the front doors of Vancouver's Congregation Schara Tzedeck.

Our partners at the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver asked that we share the following community update, sent last night in the wake of the attack, to ensure that you have the details for your reporting on the incident.

Nico Slobinsky (CIJA), Rabbi Rosenblatt, Ezra Shanken (JFGV), and Jason Murray (JFGV) will be available for interviews today.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. this evening, an incendiary device was thrown at the front doors of Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street. Thankfully, no one was injured and damage to the building was minor. We extend our steadfast support to the families and staff of Congregation Schara Tzedeck.

Antisemitic rhetoric has reached a feverish pitch in our city and region recently, and it has always been our concern that the next step would be violence. This deliberate act of hate was an attempt to intimidate our Jewish community. But we refuse to be intimidated or to hide. Our community is resilient, and we are proud to be an important part of the multicultural fabric of our city, our province and our country.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the Fire Inspector conducted a thorough search of the building and declared the building safe to be reopened. The incident remains under investigation by VPD, and our director of community security will continue to work closely with them. We would like to extend our appreciation to the VPD and the Vancouver Fire Department for their immediate response and concern for public safety.

The following extra precautions are in place:

• Police will increase patrols around local Jewish institutions.
• We are reaching out to all Jewish community organizations and advising them to remain vigilant and to follow their established security protocols.
• Jewish Federation’s Community Security Advisory Committee is staying on top of the situation and will update Jewish community organizations as needed.

Community security has long been one of our strategic priorities, and we remain committed to working together to keep Jewish community institutions safe and welcoming places where you and your family can feel comfortable taking part in community activities. As more information becomes available, we will keep you up to date.

Sincerely,  

Rabbi Rosenblatt
Senior Rabbi
Congregation Schara Tzedeck

Jonathon Leipsic
President
Congregation Schara Tzedeck

Lana Marks Pulver
Board Chair
Jewish Federation

Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer
Jewish Federation

Jason Murray
Chair, Security Advisory Committee
Jewish Federation

Additional Background

• Statement: Shots fired at Toronto Jewish Girls School
• Statement: Federation CJA And CIJA React to Latest Shooting Targeting Montreal Jewish School
• B.C. Hate Crime Data
  • Press Release: Israel-Hamas war fuels increase in hate crimes, protests in 2023
    • Reports of antisemitism increased 62% in 2023, compared to 2022 when there were 29 incidents reported.
    • Of the 47 antisemitic hate incidents reported to VPD in 2023, 33 occurred after October 7.
    • In total, Vancouver Police have investigated 50 criminal offences connected to the Israel-Hamas war, including assaults against police officers and cases of obstructing police. Suspects have been identified in 26 of the 50 incidents.
    • To date, VPD has recommended criminal charges in 17 cases, resulting in nine people being charged in connection with 11 different incidents. Six cases are currently being reviewed by Crown counsel.
    • There were 1,018 protests in Vancouver in 2023, resulting in a 27% increase in officers being deployed and more than $4 million in overtime costs.
    • Eighty of the 1,018 protests in Vancouver last year occurred after October 7 and have been linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. These 80 protests alone have resulted in 1,800 overtime shifts at a cost of $2.5 million.
      NOTE: Currently, the Vancouver Police Department is the only law enforcement agency in the province that publicly discloses antisemitic hate crime data.
• National Antisemitic Hate Crime Data (2022 statistics are the most recent currently available)
  • Press Release: In 2022, Jews remain most targeted religious group for hate crime in Canada, second overall
    • Statistics Canada: Police-reported crime statistics in Canada, 2022 (2023 data has not yet been released)
  • Press Release: 2021 - Jews Remain Most Targeted Religious Group for Hate Crime in Canada
  • Press Release: 2020 Hate Crime Data Reveals Jews Most Targeted Religious Group
    NOTE: Not all hate crimes or incidents of antisemitism are reported or recorded. Not all incidents meet the threshold of a crime, especially in schools, so national hate crime statistics do not accurately reflect the total number of antisemitic incidents.
• Research Co.: Most British Columbians Worried About Protests and Antisemitism
  • More than two-thirds of British Columbians are concerned about aggressive behaviour by protestors at pro-Palestine rallies (70%) and antisemitism, or rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians (69%).
  • More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) are also worried about protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses in Canada.
  • Rising antisemitism in Canada is a concern for residents of Vancouver Island (77%), the Fraser Valley (74%), Southern BC (71%), Northern BC (70%), and Metro Vancouver (65%).