Rabbi says attack meant to intimidate Jews as community strengthens support for Israel and Aliyah.
Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, senior rabbi at Beth Avraham Yosef of Toronto, described the shock felt by his community following a late-night shooting at the synagogue on Friday. The attack occurred shortly after a dinner event for singles had concluded, leaving the building empty when gunfire struck the synagogue. Rabbi Korobkin said that, thankfully, no one was inside at the time, as the final attendees had left about half an hour earlier. He noted that the incident appeared designed primarily to intimidate rather than cause casualties.
The rabbi said the attack reflects growing tension affecting Jewish communities across Canada. He expressed concern that the country many Canadian Jews grew up in now feels different, with some members of the community increasingly hesitant to openly display Jewish identity in certain public spaces. Despite the fear and frustration, he emphasized that many people remain determined and proud of their identity, drawing strength from Israel and from the resilience of Israelis facing far greater challenges.
Korobkin also spoke about his own plans to immigrate to Israel, explaining that he and his wife have long expected their future to be there. Over the years, he has signed Aliyah letters for many families in his congregation and believes more Canadian Jews may follow that path in the future. He added that the conflict in Israel feels deeply personal for his community because many congregants have relatives currently serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.
The rabbi stressed the importance of cooperation with authorities, saying the Jewish community is actively working with local police and the RCMP to ensure stronger protection and meaningful responses to threats. He also expressed appreciation for the solidarity shown by various groups across Canada, including Christian supporters and members of the Iranian diaspora, noting that shared opposition to extremism has brought different communities together in support of Jewish safety and the State of Israel.
