Overview
- The overnight attempted arson at Temple Emanu‑El‑Beth Sholom occurred Friday when a suspect broke a window and left an incendiary object inside, but firefighters stopped the blaze and the building suffered only minor damage with no injuries.
- Montreal police, aided by Westmount public safety teams and witness accounts, arrested a 38-year-old near the scene and say investigators met with him and expect to lay charges.
- Rabbi Lisa Grushcow told congregants “this is time for action,” said the temple will continue services, and urged stronger enforcement and community support against antisemitism.
- Jewish groups Federation CJA and CIJA framed the incident as part of a wider pattern that has left community members feeling unsafe, and police say they have increased patrols past houses of worship.
- The attack comes the same week the prime minister called Canada in a 'crisis of antisemitism' and announced a Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to advise the government on combating hate, to be led by Marc Gold.