What to know
- Toronto police are investigating a hate-motivated theft after 20 mezuzahs were removed from doorways at a Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation building near Bathurst and Steeles.
- The TPS Hate Crime Unit has taken over the investigation, saying multiple Jewish residents reported items stolen from their doorways.
- Councillor James Pasternak and Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the incident as an act of antisemitism targeting Jewish seniors.
- Chow says she is contacting TSHC leadership as police urge anyone with information to come forward.
Toronto Police Services (TPS) is investigating a hate-motivated theft after several mezuzahs were taken off of doorways at a Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation (TSHC) building.
Police say they were called to the Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West area on Dec. 7 for a report of a theft, according to a news release.
TPS says ”multiple” residents of an apartment building had items stolen from their doorways, including 20 mezuzahs, a religious item that is affixed at the entrance of a Jewish home.
Police say the Hate Crime Unit is now investigating.
Local Councillor James Pasterak says the theft took place at a Toronto Seniors Housing Corporation building.
“This is an act of hate directed at Jewish residents — seniors who deserve safety, stability, and dignity in their own homes,” Pasternak said in a post on X on Sunday. “There is no excuse for targeting people because they are Jewish. Toronto cannot look the other way while seniors are intimidated in their hallways.”
Mayor Olivia Chow also weighed in, calling the theft antisemetic.
“This is an outrageous and vile act of antisemitism,” Chow said on X. “This is a public supportive housing building for seniors. They deserve to live in peace without fear of being targeted for being Jewish.”
Chow said she’ll be reaching out to TSHC leadership to investigate how this could have happened.
“Jewish Torontonians deserve to live in peace and safety,” she said.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.
