A swastika wasn’t enough. Neither were Molotov cocktails. Now, for the third time in just 21 months, someone has targeted one of Montreal’s oldest synagogues, this time apparently firing a pellet gun at its windows.
How many times can the same synagogue be attacked before someone gets seriously hurt?
Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, located on Sherbrooke Street West in Westmount, was targeted late Thursday night, October 29. Several windows were struck by what investigators believe were pellets. The damage was discovered Friday morning when the synagogue’s executive director arrived to prepare for a meeting. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the projectiles failed to penetrate the building.
Montreal police are investigating, with hate-crimes investigators reportedly involved. Security footage is being reviewed, but so far, no arrests have been announced.
In a statement released Friday, the synagogue confirmed that several windows at the rear of the building had been damaged and that preliminary evidence pointed to a single individual using a pellet gun.
“One thing is clear: this was a deliberate act, not an accident,” the congregation said, adding that it could not rule out an antisemitic motive but did not yet have enough information to determine why the building was targeted.
The synagogue also confirmed that additional security measures would be in place throughout Shabbat, although services, Torah school and other activities would proceed as scheduled.
For Rabbi Lisa Grushcow and her congregation, this is becoming an all-too-familiar nightmare.
“This is our third incident in less than two years,” she told the National Post.
In February 2025, someone spray-painted a swastika on the synagogue. Four months ago, things turned considerably more dangerous.
On June 5, an assailant smashed windows at the rear of the building and allegedly hurled two Molotov cocktails toward the synagogue, which also houses a daycare.
Police arrested 38-year-old Steven Luu nearby. He was charged with six offences, including arson, possession of incendiary materials and offences involving an explosive substance and a weapon.
A scheduled June 8 court hearing was postponed pending a psychological evaluation requested by the Crown. The current status of those proceedings could not be confirmed. Now, barely five months later, the same synagogue has been targeted again.
Security upgrades installed following previous incidents appear to have prevented Thursday night’s projectiles from penetrating the building. But bullet-resistant windows and other security precautions are hardly what a congregation should need simply to attend synagogue.
Federation CJA and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued a joint statement Friday condemning the latest attack.
“Enough is enough. This must stop…The Montreal Jewish community is tired of fearing for its safety and the safety of its children,” the organizations declared.
Even the National Council of Canadian Muslims condemned the incident, offering its support to the congregation.
Montreal police statistics cited by CityNews recorded 322 suspected hate-motivated incidents targeting Jewish people or property between October 7, 2023, and May 31, 2026. That figure does not include the latest attack.
Despite Thursday’s incident, the synagogue proceeded with its scheduled Shabbat services.
No suspect has been publicly identified, and police have not established a motive. Investigators have also not confirmed whether Thursday’s attack is connected to either of the previous incidents.
The congregation has survived all three attacks without anyone being injured. The question is whether that luck will hold if there is a fourth.
UPDATE — October 31, 2026: This article has been updated to include details from an official statement issued by Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, confirming the location of the damaged windows, preliminary information about the suspected attacker and additional security precautions.
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