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Just days after a North York Jewish school became the latest suspected target of surging anti-Semitism in the city, students returned to classes on Monday.
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– said the school's director, Rabbi Yaacov Vidal Toronto Sun Monday's class went as well as could be expected, given the circumstances.
“There is a sense of fear, parents are worried, children are worried, and we are trying our best to alleviate their fears and continue treatment as usual,” he said.
“We definitely do not want to give in to terror and close the schools. Children should feel safe going to school.”
For the second time in five months, shots were fired at Bais Chaya Mushka, a Jewish girls' school near Finch Ave., just after 4 a.m. Saturday. and Dufferin St.
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On May 26, shots were also fired at the school.
No one was injured in any of the attacks.
This weekend's attacks occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.
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After Saturday's shooting, investigators located 10 shell casings and at least three bullets hit the school.
Toronto police say a person or assailants opened fire from a vehicle, although suspects have not yet been identified. Although police say investigators do not yet have evidence to conclude it was a hate crime, officers working on the case include detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit.
“It's certainly an unpleasant feeling to be targeted twice,” Vidal said, adding that a child psychologist is helping administration and faculty deal with the trauma of the situation, and further help will be available to those who need it.
“If we all, as individuals and people, focus on acts of kindness and kindness, the world will be a much better place.”
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Since the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, Toronto has seen an explosion of anti-Jewish hate crimes, fueled by local anti-Israel activists who regularly organize rallies and marches across the city.
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Authorities call for “concrete action” after second shooting at a Jewish girls' school
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WARMINGTON: The North York Jewish Girls' School has erupted for the second time in recent months
Anti-Jewish hate crimes more than doubled in 2023, according to data released earlier this year by Toronto police.
The data showed that of all hate crimes against a specific faith, 80% targeted Jews.
Earlier this month, two men – Ahmad Sheikhani of Oakville and Hamad Khalid Menshed of Mississauga – both 34 – were charged with hate crimes after allegedly waving flags belonging to the terrorist group Hezbollah during an anti-Israel rally in downtown Toronto.
Anyone with information about the shooting should call police or Crime Stoppers.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
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