For Immediate Release 

February 20, 2017
TORONTO, ON – In response to the discovery of hate-inspired vandalism inside an apartment building in North York, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto issued the following:

“We are alarmed to learn of a disturbing incident in an apartment building in North York, where Jewish residents discovered that their doors were vandalised with Nazi symbols, and that their Mezuzahs (small ritual scrolls affixed to doorposts) were damaged or removed,” said Adam Minsky, President and CEO, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. “Like all acts of hatred and intolerance, these deliberate acts of hostility toward the Jewish community are completely unacceptable. There is absolutely no place for antisemitism – or any other form of hatred – in Canada.”

“CIJA is monitoring the situation and will be working closely with police to achieve a swift resolution. We have full confidence in our partners at the Toronto Police Services and know they are committed to safeguarding the community,” said Sara Lefton, Vice President, CIJA Toronto. “Jewish Canadians are targeted by hate-motivated crimes more frequently than any other vulnerable group in Canada. CIJA urges anyone who has witnessed a hate crime or suspicious incident to immediately contact Toronto Police Services, and then report the incident to CIJA so that we can liaise with law enforcement officials to help ensure the incident is addressed in as effective and timely a manner as possible.”
 

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA.

Contact:

Adir Krafman
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
416-820-6871

Dan Horowitz
Director, Corporate Communications
UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
416-631-5672