Jewish Students Return From Rosh Hashanah to Find Mezuzahs Smashed at Wilfrid Laurier University

Jewish students at Wilfrid Laurier University returned to their residences after Rosh Hashanah to find mezuzahs ripped from their doors and smashed. The vandalism took place at the university’s Waterloo campus while students were away for the Jewish holiday. Hillel Ontario and StandWithUs Canada said several Jewish students were affected and condemned the incident as anti Jewish hate.

The students had only recently moved into residence. Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo move in took place between September 4 and September 6, just days before Rosh Hashanah began. The mezuzahs had been put up on their residence doors shortly after they arrived.

David Grachnik, the father of one of the students, wrote that his daughter and her friends returned after the holiday to discover that some of the mezuzahs they had put up only a week earlier had been smashed and torn down.

Wilfrid Laurier University has confirmed that vandalism took place and said its Special Constable Service is investigating. The university described the incident as involving “widespread damage along various residence hallways,” although it has not said how many mezuzahs were destroyed, which residence was involved or whether anyone has been identified.

The university said the affected students had met with residence staff and that support was being provided. Wilfrid Laurier University also condemned antisemitism, racism, hate speech, threats and harassment.

Jay Solomon, CEO of Hillel Ontario, condemned the vandalism and said Jewish students have been facing increasing hostility on campuses across Ontario and Canada. Hillel Ontario said it had been in contact with Wilfrid Laurier University following the incident.

There has been no public announcement of an arrest or charge and Wilfrid Laurier University has not released the number of students whose mezuzahs were damaged.

A mezuzah is placed on the doorpost of a Jewish home and contains parchment inscribed with passages from the Torah. For observant Jews it is a religious obligation, and for many Jewish students living away from home for the first time, it is also one of the most visible signs of Jewish life on their residence door.

Wilfrid Laurier University says it is investigating the incident. So far, whoever did it has not been identified.