06/05/2026
Dear Temple community,
Last night, Temple was the target of a firebombing attack. Let me reassure you that no one was hurt and our building is safe. Thanks to two officers from Westmount Public Security, the attacker was apprehended and arrested. Police and fire services came soon after, and our phenomenal building team – Ricky Muise and Joey Neill – were here all night. Thanks to ongoing leadership from Federation CJA and our Community Security Network, our building is well-protected, and the outcome was not worse. As I write, our building is fully open and functional. We are grateful for the dedication and courage of our community and our team.
It’s good to have protection. But it’s terrible to need it.
Coming the same week as Prime Minister Carney’s address on antisemitism, we cannot ignore the broader issues and the unmistakeable rise of antisemitism in our city and our country. We also know that we are seeing an escalation: a sw****ka spray-painted on our building last spring, and now, an arson attack. We have every confidence in our Temple member, Senator Marc Gold, for his role in the new federal committee that has been struck.
We are acutely aware that this is time for action. Existing laws need to be enforced. Security funding needs to be increased. And the Prime Minister is correct: the covenant of Canada is being tested by the scourge of antisemitism. Responding requires being proactive, not reactive. Naming the ways in which external conflicts are being imported. Recognizing that while criticism of Israel can be legitimate, when the Jewish State and those who love it are libelled, violence against Jews is the result. The challenge faced by any liberal society is how to address those who would want to harm it. If we don’t name the danger, we cannot address it.
Politicians need courage. Law enforcement needs support. Neighbourhoods need good neighbours.
Temple will do what we do best: live a thriving, inclusive, joyous Jewish life. In addition to our First Friday service at 5:45 PM which will proceed as planned, we will also gather in person for our 7:45 PM Shabbat service, so the community can come together (online access will be available as always). Tomorrow morning, we will have a wholehearted celebration as twelve adult b‘nei mitzvah are called to the Torah. We would love to see as many of you as possible, and we will have security in place.
We have weathered worse, and we will build better.
B’shalom – in peace,
Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
