In Winnipeg, the Jewish community reacts strongly to antisemitic graffiti found on a synagogue, highlighting rising hate incidents.
A senior official from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs stated that antisemitic graffiti found on a Winnipeg synagogue is an attack on the Jewish community and a threat to Canadian values. Gustavo Zentner, vice president at CIJA, expressed concern that such acts of hate are becoming normalized in Canada. He spoke to the Free Press on Sunday, emphasizing the difficulty of uprooting normalized hate.
The vandalism occurred at Congregation Shaarey Zedek early Friday morning. An unknown individual spray-painted antisemitic graffiti on the synagogue located at 561 Wellington Crescent. The incident is currently under police investigation.
Security footage shows a lone individual approaching the synagogue around 4:30 a.m. The person used spray paint to vandalize windows on the synagogue’s doors and part of the marble siding facing Wellington Crescent. The graffiti included two swastikas, the word “hate,” and another unclear acronym. Maintenance staff discovered the graffiti later that morning and removed most of it.
Winnipeg police confirmed that the Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident but did not provide further details. Zentner mentioned he has spoken with all three levels of government and local Jewish groups following the incident.
Zentner described the vandalism as part of an alarming trend, noting that Winnipeg is now alongside Montreal and Toronto in experiencing targeted antisemitic attacks. He participated in a meeting with federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and various law enforcement agencies, where officials expressed concern about rising hate in Canada.
“These are signals that should alarm all Canadians,” Zentner stated. Jeff Lieberman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, expressed shock and sadness over the graffiti, calling it an act of pure antisemitism. He added that it was intended to intimidate but did not succeed, as community members gathered for Shabbat services.
Lieberman announced that security will be present at future services. He also noted that similar incidents are not isolated and reflect a broader rise in antisemitic acts. In late October, the federation hired William Sagel as its regional community security director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan to enhance community safety.
Sagel’s role, which began on December 1, includes reviewing security infrastructure, overseeing event security planning, and managing upgrades. The Federation stated that Sagel will be part of a national framework to utilize established security programs from other cities.
Local Jewish leaders praised the hiring of Sagel. Rabbi Carnie Rose of Congregation Shaarey Zedek expressed strong support for the initiative.
| Date | Location | Incident | Police Unit | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Morning | Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg | Antisemitic graffiti vandalism | Major Crimes Unit | Investigation ongoing; increased security at future services |
