Beth Tikvah Synagogue

By Chelsey St-Pierre and

Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

A second antisemitic attack took place at the Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Dollard-des-Ormeaux last Thursday morning. As in the first attack, it was a firebombing by Molotov cocktail. This time the Molotov shattered a glass panel adjacent to the front doors and sparked a fire in the vestibule leading to the inner door. A door was also broken. The previous attack last year flashed at the front doors.

Montreal police (SPVM) received a 911 call just before 3 a.m. as the flames were visible on Westpark St. near Roger Pilon. The area of the synagogue also comprises the Hebrew Foundation School and Federation CJA’s West Island office.

The police did not allow worshippers in to conduct services. B’nai Brith Quebec director Henry Topas, who is also the Cantor at the Synagogue, told The Suburban that, “We demand that Valerie Plante stop the atmosphere of hate both through her own words and by supporting the Police in enforcing the law. That is the only way to end the acts of violent antisemitism that have been the shame of Montreal the past year.”

Police spokesperson Véronique Dubuc said, “Firefighters extinguished the blaze. They found at least one incendiary device.” She said witnesses told police they saw at least one suspect in the area prior to the fire.

The SPVM says it investigated possible activity at the Federation CJA building nearby and did find a shattered window. There were no injuries, and there have been no arrests in the case as of press time.The SPVM’s arson and hate crimes units have taken charge of the investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding this latest attack. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

Dollard-Des-Ormeaux Mayor Alex Bottausci, who was among the first officials at the scene, condemned the attack in strong terms. “I am outraged at these cowardly acts that are clearly antisemitic. This is not random graffiti on a wall but purely antisemitic acts of hate. When someone breaks a window to a synagogue it crosses a line. All residents have right to live in this country and in peace. These cowards need to be brought to justice with the severest penalties possible.To all the members of the Jewish community feeling threatened by this heinous act, I want to assure you that an investigation is currently underway and that our city is invested in the safety of our community and is working closely with the SPVM and our municipal patrol to ensure your security,” the Mayor stated.

Pierrefonds-Dollard MNA Brigitte Garceau said, “I am outraged to learn of the second arson attack targeting the Beth Tikvah Synagogue, Hebrew Foundation School, and the Federation CJA offices located in my riding. These hateful and antisemitic acts are completely unacceptable and must be condemned. Violence has no place in our society. The safety and security of the Jewish community and all residents of Dollard-des-Ormeaux is out utmost priority.”

The Suburban asked DDO Councillor Tanya Toledano what she thinks of the perception that when it comes to antisemitic crimes there is a lack of emforcement. She said, “We need to see enforcement happening. We need to see that the police are not operating with what appears to be their hands tied behind their backs and be able to actually enforce the laws that exist. We’ve seen violence on our streets with very few arrests and certainly none that I know of that have been sticking. It cannot continue like this.“Beth Tikvah Rabbi Emeritus Mordecai Zeitz added, “Even when they (police) catch the perpetrators, no consequences are applied. But our community is resilient. We have been here for 60 years (at Beth Tikvah) and we will be here for another 60 years.”

According to recent reports, incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and violence in Canada have seen a massive surge, with B’nai Brith’s annual audit showing a 109 percent increase in 2023.

This attack bears a striking similarity to another act of local terrorism at the same synagogue that occurred last winter. In that November 2023 incident, staff and congregants of Beth Tikvah arrived to find their front doors charred from a Molotov cocktail attack that had occurred in the early morning hours. The Federation CJA’s West Island offices were also targeted in that coordinated attack, with a second Molotov cocktail discovered at its location.

The 2023 attack drew immediate and forceful condemnations from a broad spectrum of community leaders. Local religious figures, including Father Bertrand Montpetit of St-Lukes Catholic Parish and Pastor Jim Slack of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, personally visited the synagogue to show solidarity. B’nai Brith Canada noted that the attack occurred against a backdrop of increasing antisemitic incidents across the country, with Jews remaining Canada’s most targeted religious minority Being the victims of almost 60% of hate crimes while making up only some 2% of the population. n