'An insult to both the living and the dead': Jewish cemetery vandalized in Winnipeg
A Jewish community in Winnipeg is looking for justice after dozens of headstones were toppled in its cemetery.
Ran Ukashi, the executive director of the Congregation Shaarey Zedek, told CTV News cemetery staff arrived Wednesday morning to find about 70 headstones had been knocked over.
He said the vandalism was immediately reported to police and headstones have since been reset. He said there doesn't appear to be significant damage to the head stones, based on a preliminary examination.
"The sort of greater injury has to do with the fact that it was a desecration of a very sacred space for the Jewish community and also for the broader community, and an insult to both the living and the dead in the way that was desecrated," Ukashi said.
He said the community is now looking for answers as to why the cemetery was vandalized.
"The first sort of impulse in the Jewish community is was this a form of anti-Jewish prejudice, was it anti-Semitic motivation, or was it mere mischief," he said. "We don't know, regardless we hope that they apprehend whoever is behind this and we can learn more about the motivations after the fact."
The Winnipeg Police Service confirmed it is aware of the incident and is investigating. Ukashi is asking anyone in the area who may have seen something or has any information about the vandalism to contact the police or the synagogue.
-with files from CTV's Jon Hendricks
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
'Ninja,' Twitch's biggest streamer, is diagnosed with skin cancer
American gamer and Twitch superstar, Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins, revealed he was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Here's what Trudeau says the upcoming federal budget will offer renters
The federal government will create a new 'Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights,' which would require landlords to disclose their properties' rental price history to prospective tenants.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.