Mezuzahs on students’ doors damaged in Canadian university dormitory
In Canada, students at Wilfrid Laurier University discovered after celebrating Rosh Hashanah that the mezuzahs on the doors of their dormitory rooms had been broken and torn down. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
In a joint statement, Hillel Ontario and StandWithUs Canada called the incident an act of antisemitic hatred targeting Jewish students. They stressed that students have the right to feel safe in residence halls and to openly express their Jewish identity without fear of becoming targets.
Statement by student organizations
According to Hillel Ontario and StandWithUs Canada, the incident occurred during Rosh Hashanah, which, in their view, makes it particularly alarming. The organizations stated that Jewish students will not be intimidated or forced to conceal their identity or remove its symbols.
Hillel Ontario CEO Jay Solomon said that the organization considers this case part of a broader trend of increasing hostility toward Jewish students at universities in Ontario and Canada. According to him, the university administration assured Hillel Ontario that the matter is being investigated.
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University investigation
The university said it is aware of the vandalism incident, which caused significant damage in various corridors of the residence hall. The investigation is being conducted by the university’s special constable service.
The university also stated that students had contacted residence staff and that necessary support is available to them. The institution said it condemns antisemitism and maintains zero tolerance for hate speech, racism, threats and harassment.
In August, the Campus Antisemitism and Student Experience report stated that more than 95% of surveyed Jewish students at Canadian post-secondary institutions had experienced or witnessed antisemitism.
