Two incidents outside Jewish sites in the Toronto area over the weekend have intensified concerns within the city’s Jewish community amid a broader rise in antisemitic attacks. During Shabbat services on Saturday, a man attempted to force his way into the Sephardic Kehilah Centre in Vaughan. After being turned away by security for suspicious behavior, he allegedly punched a father who was heading to the synagogue with his son. The father did not suffer serious injuries.

The following day, a rock was thrown through the window of a Judaica shop along Bathurst Street, a major Jewish commercial corridor. Police confirmed that a business in the area was targeted and said the Hate Crime Unit was aware of the incident. No suspects have been identified in either case.

Jewish organizations say the daytime nature of the attacks marks an escalation, as previous incidents often occurred late at night. In recent months, multiple synagogues have been struck by gunfire, a Jewish-owned restaurant has been shot at twice, and a Jewish girls’ elementary school was targeted on three separate occasions. Community leaders are calling for stronger government action, warning that repeated attacks are eroding public safety and normalizing antisemitic violence.

An annual audit released this week found an average of 18.6 antisemitic incidents reported per day across Canada in 2025, reflecting a continued rise compared to the previous year.