York Regional Police are investigating a “hate-motivated crime” after the front doors of a synagogue in Thornhill were smashed in an apparent outburst of anti-Semitic violence caught on camera.

The vandalism happened in the area of Bathurst St. and Worth Blvd. around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Surveillance videos posted by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan on Facebook show a man in a dark coat run up to the walkway in front of the Chabad Flamingo building, pick up what appears to be a large rock off the ground, and hurl it against the glass door with enough force that the rock split in two upon rebounding.

The suspect initially walked away, but came back less than a minute later, running back up the steps to pick up a fragment of the original projectile and throw it point blank at the same door before finally walking away.

Footage from another camera inside the synagogue shows it was this second strike that did the most damage, leaving the glass from two doors covered in cracks and popped out of place.

“Clearly this is a wilful and premeditated attack on a synagogue,” Kaplan wrote in his post.

Since the attack, members of the community and officials have spoken out in condemnation of the unidentified man’s actions.

B’nai Brith Canada, the country’s oldest independent Jewish organization, shared the news story on its Facebook page, saying it was “appalled” and reached out to offer its “full support and assistance.”

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MPP Gila Martow (Thornhill) called the attack “cowardly.”

“What happened today was felt to be a deliberate act of hate against the Jewish community,” Martow said in a statement. “With Passover coming up, it is imperative that all community members are safe in their places of worship.

“The Jewish community sadly continues to be one of the most targeted minority groups. Today’s events are a reminder that there is much work to be done in combating the forces of hate and anti-Semitism. I join my friends and neighbours in expressing our shock and disappointment, and our hope that the perpetrator of this act is brought to justice.”

“Abhorrent” was the word Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua used regarding the “anti-Semitic violence.”

“We all have a responsibility to stand up for our neighbours and build inclusive, welcoming and safe communities for citizens of all backgrounds.”

Premier Kathleen Wynne tweeted that the vandalism was “reprehensible.”

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“I stand strongly beside the congregants of this shul & Ontario’s Jewish community. All forms of hate are unacceptable & we must keep working to combat hatred, intolerance & anti-Semitism.”

Police are asking the public in identifying the suspect. He is described as medium build, 20 to 30 years old, and between 5-feet-8 to 5-feet-10.

He was wearing a dark grey or black North Face-style winter coat with fur-trimmed hood, black hooded-sweatshirt with the hood up, grey jeans and black Nike sneakers with the “swoosh” on the toe area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact York Region police Criminal Investigation Bureau or Crime Stoppers.

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