Home / Crime and Justice / Synagogue Hit by Gunfire on Purim Night
Synagogue Hit by Gunfire on Purim Night
4 Mar
Summary
- Toronto synagogue damaged by gunfire on Purim holiday.
- No injuries reported, but building sustained damage.
- Investigation by gun, gang, and hate crime units underway.

Gunfire struck Temple Emanu-El in Toronto's North York neighborhood late Monday night, just after the beginning of the Jewish holiday Purim. Police confirmed around 20 shots were fired at the building, resulting in damage but no injuries. The Toronto Police Department's gun and gang task force and hate crime unit are investigating the incident. Bullet casings were found near the temple's entrance, and a vehicle was reportedly seen leaving the scene.
Rabbi Debra Landsberg stated that a Purim celebration had concluded about an hour before the shooting. Temple leadership described the event as deeply unsettling, especially following a night of joy and community. Increased security measures are being implemented around the temple.
This incident occurs amid a significant rise in antisemitism. Since October 7, 2023, Toronto police have reported hundreds of arrests and charges related to hate crimes. Globally, anti-Jewish incidents have surged, with the United States reporting nearly a threefold increase and Canada experiencing record-high antisemitism reports in 2024.


