Vandalizing synagogue in Winnipeg with swastikas was a 'cowardly' act meant to 'intimidate,' exec. director says
Red swastikas were spray-painted on the windows and walls of a synagogue in Winnipeg on Friday, a move that its executive director says was a “a very cowardly act” that was “meant to intimidate us.”
“I was disappointed because I feel that our synagogue is part of the fabric of the community, and we just went through a two-year renovation process to to enhance our spiritual home, so somebody defacing it was was very upsetting,” Dr. Rena Secter Elbaze told National Post.
Police are investigating the hate-motivated crime, which occurred on Jan. 2 around 4:30 a.m. at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Video cameras captured a “lone offender spray painting swastika graffiti on the front entrance of the building,” according to an update provided by the synagogue.
The maintenance team discovered the graffiti and reported it to police.
“I’m happy that our congregants didn’t allow themselves to be intimidated. We had about 180 to 200 people show up for the service (on Saturday morning),” said Elbaze. “We were actually very prepared for something like this (with security protocols in place) to reassure the congregation, but it was just disappointing, because Winnipeg is supposed to be this lovely cultural mosaic where everybody supports each other.”
The Jewish community across the country has faced similar crimes that appeared to be motivated by hate. A synagogue in Montreal was fire-bombed , a Jewish girls school was shot at in Toronto , and the entrance of a Vancouver synagogue was covered in fuel and set on fire .
“We feel like it’s part of a bigger trend,” said Elbaze. “I want people to know that we should have zero tolerance, right? If they do it to us, they’ll do it to someone else. So we really need to support each other.”
As part of the investigation, police were at the synagogue on Sunday. It was later noted, after reviewing the video footage again, that Friday night’s suspect discarded a bag “into the parking lot that appeared suspicious and caused great concern for the safety of the synagogue,” Winnipeg Police Service Insp. Jen McKinnon said at a press conference on Monday.
“What I can report is that discarded item did not pose any risk to the public whatsoever, and was dealt with accordingly,” she said.
Gustavo Zentner, who is the vice president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan at Jewish advocacy group, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said in a statement that he was “deeply disturbed” to learn what happened at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
He said the synagogue’s roots in Winnipeg date back nearly 140 years.
“Words are not enough. Leaders at all levels of government and authorities must back up their condemnations with concrete action to hold perpetrators accountable and address the sources of hatred,” he said.
Another Jewish advocacy group, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, also commented on the incident, saying in a post on X that it was the “predictable result of leaders failing to confront antisemitism with the seriousness and resolve it demands.”
“There is no room for apathy. Antisemitism must be confronted forcefully and consistently — before it leads to even more dangerous acts of violence against the Jewish community,” the statement said.
Last Friday, as the new year had barely begun, Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Winnipeg was targeted with antisemitic vandalism, with swastikas spray-painted on its windows and walls overnight.
— Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (@CanadianFSWC) January 5, 2026
This is the predictable result of leaders failing to confront antisemitism with the… pic.twitter.com/wGhMdYj9dE
The incident “comes on the heels of a devastating year for global Jewry, one which ended in the unimaginable horror and heartbreak at Australia’s Bondi Beach,” according to a statement by B’nai Brith Canada on X. The organization is dedicated to combatting antisemitism.
Just hours into 2026, Winnipeg’s Jewish community was targeted by hate when Shaarey Zedek synagogue was defaced with antisemitic graffiti, including a slew of Nazi symbols.
— B'nai Brith Canada (@bnaibrithcanada) January 5, 2026
This incident comes on the heels of a devastating year for global Jewry, one which ended in the… pic.twitter.com/w0dh5vBojA
“With 2026 having barely begun, this moment makes one truth painfully clear: a new year has not brought a new reality. Not for Canadian Jews, and certainly not for the congregation of Shaarey Zedek. This is not the first time the Jewish community of Manitoba has been targeted, reflecting a persistent and deeply troubling trend of escalating vandalism, violence, and threats against Jewish institutions across Canada,” the statement continued.
“Hate thrives in silence.”
Mayor of Winnipeg Scott Gillingham commented about the incident on X, including in his post that a Palestinian cafe, Habibiz Cafe, was also “hatefully targeted.” Police said around 5:20 a.m. on Sunday morning, the windows were smashed at the cafe, causing $5,000-worth of damage. A threatening note believed to be left behind by the suspect was found nearby.
“While the victims are from different backgrounds, the intent behind these acts is the same: to intimidate Jewish and Palestinian Winnipeggers and sow division,” he wrote. “We cannot let that happen.”
This weekend, cowards hatefully targeted both the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Habibiz Cafe.
— Mayor Scott Gillingham (@ScottGillingham) January 5, 2026
While the victims are from different backgrounds, the intent behind these acts is the same: to intimidate Jewish and Palestinian Winnipeggers and sow division.
We cannot let that happen.
Jesse Pollock, a content creator at The Sports Network, commented about the incident at the synagogue on X, saying it was where he grew up attending and where he had his bar mitzvah.
This is not the 1940s in Nazi Germany. This is somehow the synagogue I grew up going to and had my Bar Mitzvah at in Winnipeg… Canada.
— Jesse Pollock (@jpolly22) January 4, 2026
Our government has allowed
us to get to this point. Antisemitism is not, and has not been a priority for the people in charge of leading our… pic.twitter.com/pat7ZagY6A
“Our government has allowed us to get to this point. Antisemitism is not, and has not been a priority for the people in charge of leading our country. Too many slaps on the wrist, not enough action,” he wrote. “Why is it that so many people feel compelled to speak out about various issues in the world but when it comes to Jews facing hatred in OUR OWN COUNTRY, they choose to say NOTHING? If you’ve been silent, speak up.”
He urged politicians to “actually do something.”
“Jews are being attacked right before our eyes in Canada,” he said. “It’s time to wake up.”
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