Rabbi Lisa Grushcow
on anti-semitic incident

Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom recovering and staying strong after attempted arson attack

By Irwin Rapoport

June 23, 2026

It was just after midnight on June 5 that a 38-year-old man attempted to burn down Westmount’s Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom on Sherbrooke Street West by starting a fire in an alley outside the study of Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, the congregation’s leader. Reacting quickly, Montreal firefighters doused the flames.

Fortunately, the damage was minor – only smoke entered the building, and thanks to swift action by Westmount Public Security officers, who arrived on scene within minutes after being alerted, the arson attack was quickly thwarted, and the alleged perpetrator was arrested nearby. The Montreal Police Department, which praised the efforts of the public security officers, explained that the accused is being charged with the following counts: arson, possession of incendiary material, using explosives with intent to destroy or damage property, possession of explosives, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

This was the second time that the synagogue was the subject of an anti-semitic attack.

A June 5 CTV News report not only focuses on the attack, complete with remarks by Rabbi Grushcow, but also addresses the concerns and fears regarding the increase in anti-semitic attitudes and incidents in Montreal and across Canada.

Broken window and smoke damage – Image: courtesy of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom

Sadly, this was the second time that the synagogue was the subject of an anti-semitic attack. On February 16, 2025, a vandal spray-painted a swastika on the wall, very close to the location of the arson attempt. A CBC News report addresses that situation.

“I don’t think this is the kind of thing that the silent majority sanctions,” said the Rabbi at the time. “What I’m hoping is that the silent majority will get a little less silent.”

When interviewed by CTV News, Rabbi Grushcow reflected on the previous incident and those across the globe.

“Memory is short, but just last spring there was a swastika right on this wall that’s beside the Canadian Jewish community and me, like the Jewish community in Australia, in England and elsewhere, has said not only are these incidents increasing, they’re intensifying, and escalating,” she said.

The rabbi’s email message to the Temple’s members in the wake of the arson attempt is universal, highlighting it as “the scourge of antisemitism… Responding requires being proactive, not reactive. Naming the ways in which external conflicts are being imported. Recognizing that while criticism of Israel can be legitimate, when the Jewish State and those who love it are libelled, violence against Jews is the result. Politicians need courage. Law enforcement needs support. Neighbourhoods need good neighbours.”

Needless to say, there is no excuse whatsoever for the assaults on the Temple, similar to incidents against mosques, churches, and other houses of worship for a variety of faiths.

Rabbi Lisa Grushcow – Image: courtesy of Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom

In the Q&A below, Rabbi Grushcow speaks about the arson incident and its impact on the congregation and the Jewish community, and the rise of anti-semitism.

WM: Looking back on the arson attack, how are you and the congregation coping and making sense of what had happened?

Rabbi Grushcow: Thanks to the resilience of our community and the support of others, we are doing well. Of course, we are shaken by an attack on our community and our sacred space. I wish I could say I was surprised by this attack, but it’s part of a pattern of increasing and intensifying antisemitism that we are seeing not only in Canada, but around the world. And it doesn’t just affect us at Temple; rather, any violent expression of hate should be of concern to everyone in our shared society.

WM: How would you describe the support you and the synagogue are receiving from the Jewish community, fellow clergy from other faiths, and people of goodwill?

Rabbi Grushcow: You can see some of the many messages of support we have received here.

We feel strongly that it’s important to share these messages, so we know we are not alone. They come from political leaders and neighbours, people of all religions and none, and voices from across the Jewish world. I think the vast majority of people are appalled by this attack and by the rise in antisemitism we have seen, and it’s important to know that and amplify it.

WM: When one clicks on the synagogue’s web page, these words appear: “We draw on Judaism’s wisdom to nourish a spiritual, educational, and cultural community. We also reach beyond our walls, taking pride in building bridges, promoting dialogue, and creating a world of justice and peace: the work we call Tikkun Olam.” How can Montrealers of all faiths and beliefs work together to help achieve these goals?

Rabbi Grushcow: None of us can do this work by ourselves, but we all can do something in our own small corner of the world. Here at Temple, we try to do our part to help meet the needs of our city and society, whether it’s cooking for people in need or cleaning up city parks with other people of faith. Ours is one of many religious traditions which tells us to be good citizens and be a force for good in the world, and we are always happy to have new partners in this. We have a long history of dialogue and outreach (which, by definition, requires other people!), and we also welcome thousands of students through our docent and museum programs each year to learn about Judaism.

I also encourage your readers, especially in this time of rising and intensifying antisemitism, to be good allies. Reach out to your Jewish friends and neighbours. Stand up against hate. It makes a difference.

WM: What can be done to stem the growth of anti-Semitism in Montreal, Quebec, and the rest of Canada, and how can dialogue calm the various tensions and bring about understanding, tolerance, and harmony?

Rabbi Grushcow: See above! It’s hard to hate someone you know or hold onto stereotypes about them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do be aware that this is a challenging, painful time for many people in our Jewish community. I think that as Montrealers and Canadians, we really need to be proactive in promoting the values that we share: vivre ensemble, pluralism, and peace.

Recognizing that while criticism of Israel can be legitimate, when the Jewish State and those who love it are libelled, violence against Jews is the result. Politicians need courage. Law enforcement needs support. Neighbourhoods need good neighbours.

– Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom

WM: From what you are seeing and hearing, how is anti-Semitism impacting the daily life of Montreal’s Jewish community, synagogues, schools, and institutions?

Rabbi Grushcow: We are a resilient community, and we will not let attacks like the one on Temple stop us from gathering. In the days since the arson, we have come together for Shabbat services, including our annual Pride Shabbat; twelve adults became bnei mitzvah as the culmination of a year of study; we have celebrated weddings and welcomed new babies. All this continues unabated, and if anything, with more determination and joy. At the same time, we have to recognize the current security needs. The fact that we need security guards and other protective measures outside Jewish schools and synagogues should be a source of shame to all Canadians. No community should need to live behind walls. It’s antithetical to our Jewish – and Canadian – values.

WM: Conflicts in the Middle East and their actions and impacts, be it the October 7 attack on Israel and its aftermath and the ongoing war in Iran and Lebanon, have stirred and heightened certain attitudes towards Israel that have unfortunately spilled over to members of Jewish communities. What do you say to those who assume the diaspora community is in lockstep with the Israeli government and its policies?

Rabbi Grushcow: A few things. First of all, the vast majority of Canadian Jews are deeply connected to Israel, and the name we give that connection is Zionism. Thousands of years of history, spirituality, and peoplehood all connect us to the land of Israel. That is not something that we should have to disavow in any way.

Secondly, within our community and every community, there is a wide range of political opinions. I don’t know a single person who would agree with everything any government did; not Canadians, not Americans, not Israelis, and not diaspora Jews regarding Israel.

Our own community at Temple has a long history of supporting progressive causes, including in Israel, and has long supported a two-state solution and peace and security for everyone in the land. We are devastated at the loss of any innocent life. But it’s worth noting that no one asked our opinion about these things before attacking our synagogue. And even if our opinions were different, the attack still wouldn’t be justified. Since when do we import foreign conflicts to Canada, or solve our disputes with violence? I think all Canadians should be deeply concerned about this trend. I don’t think it’s just unfortunate, I think it’s deliberate, and we need a deliberate response.

WM: Temple Emanu-El has been a fixture of the Jewish and Westmount communities since 1892. Could you list some of the contributions the synagogue has made to religious and community life?

Rabbi Grushcow: With pleasure. We were founded in 1882 and came to Westmount shortly thereafter. We played a key role in fostering dialogue among Catholics, Protestants, and Jews in this city, bridging the “two solitudes” of anglophone and francophone Quebec. Martin Luther King spoke here, along with countless other religious and political leaders. We welcomed Vietnamese refugees, and more recently, Syrian refugees. We cook thousands of meals for Share the Warmth and Resilience. We are a community hub for people of all ages, orientations, and backgrounds. We are in the process of becoming the greenest building in Westmount by using geothermal energy. We welcome countless people through our doors to learn about Judaism. We try to be good neighbours.

To learn more about the situation, check out these local news reports:
Man charged with arson after Westmount synagogue targeted
‘Time for action,’ says rabbi after attempted arson at Westmount synagogue

Feature image: Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom – D. Benjamin Miller – Own work, CC0, Link

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Irwin Rapoport is a freelance journalist and community advocate from Westmount with bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Concordia University. He writes extensively on local politics, education, and environmental issues, and promotes informed public discourse and democracy through his writing and activism.