For the tenth time since the October 7th Hamas massacre, Kehilat Shaarei Torah Synagogue in Toronto, Ontario, has been attacked.
Early Tuesday morning, a vandal smashed five windows with a hammer and fled the scene.
Toronto Police said the suspect wore a black hooded jacket, black pants, and dark shoes with white markings. Executive Director of Kehilat Shaarei Torah Michael Gilmore believed the same person may have carried out earlier attacks against the synagogue.
One incident is random, twice is a pattern.
Ten? That’s an epidemic of hate.
That synagogue Kehillat Shaarei Torah’s been vandalized 10x is a direct failure of #Toronto’s leadership on up, it’s a repudiation of our so-called leaders at all levels—they must act or step aside. pic.twitter.com/0rVxuCWLvG
— Kevin Vuong 🇨🇦 (@KevinVuongxMP) November 4, 2025
A Pattern of Escalating Hate
The first attack occurred on April 19, 2023, when vandals shattered the synagogue’s windows and doors with hammers. Weeks later, a dead raccoon was found on its lawn, followed by another round of smashed glass in May.
Since then, the building has faced repeated hate crimes — rocks thrown, graffiti sprayed, and even arson. On June 30, a motorcyclist hurled rocks through the synagogue’s windows and those of the nearby Pride of Israel synagogue. One month later, on July 31, vandals used a blowtorch to burn its signs shortly after defacing them.
Arrest Made in Toronto Hate Crime Spree
On January 11, Toronto Police arrested Amir Arvahi Azar in connection with multiple antisemitic attacks across the city. Authorities said some of his targets included Kehilat Shaarei Torah.
Azar faces 29 charges, including five counts of arson and nine of mischief. He was also charged with several weapons offenses and two rare hate-related crimes — advocating genocide and willful promotion of hatred.
Despite his arrest, Gilmore said at least three people appear to have taken part in the attacks since the violence began.
Hate Stickers and Security Costs
In December, vandals placed stickers reading “genocide” over signs for the Jewish National Fund and the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto. One decal twisted the phrase “standing with Israelis” into “Genocide with Israelis — it’s what we do.”
Another hateful act turned a sign about hostages held by Hamas from “Bring them home now” into “Take their homes now.”
The synagogue has since spent more than $160,000 on new cameras, stronger doors, and private guards. “We’ve had to turn our place of worship into a fortress,” Gilmore said.
Confronting a Surge in Antisemitism
Kehilat Shaarei Torah’s ordeal mirrors a wider trend of antisemitic hate worldwide since October 7. What began with broken glass has grown into sustained intimidation.
Toronto Police continue to investigate the latest attack. Meanwhile, Jewish leaders are urging stronger enforcement and action to protect houses of worship.
