Winnipeg synagogues received bomb threats: Jewish Federation
Winnipeg synagogues were among the Jewish organizations across the country that received bomb threats Wednesday morning.
The Winnipeg Jewish Federation told CTV News it is aware of some bomb threats received in the community. While the federation itself did not receive any threats, it confirmed some synagogues received emailed threats on Wednesday.
"We've asked all of our Jewish institutions to be aware of their circumstances and their situations and be cautious," said Jeff Lieberman, the federations' CEO. "But you know, we believe that there really isn't any threat."
In Ontario and Quebec, more than 100 Jewish institutions received an identical email early Monday threatening explosions including at their offices, according to B'nai Brith Canada.
READ MORE: Multiple Jewish organizations, hospitals across Canada receive identical bomb threats
The Winnipeg Police Service told CTV News it has received a report of this nature.
The public information office confirmed major crimes and the bomb unit will be following up.
Rena Secter Elbaze, executive director of Shaarey Zedek, said they were among the synagogues in Winnipeg that received the threat. They called their maintenance team to sweep the building for potential threats, and activated its security protocol.
"We always are very aware for people leaving unattended bags, the same way they do at airports, so we have our eyes open," she said. "We also know who comes into our building, so our doors are always locked. People have to buzz in, and we have to know who's coming here."
Secter Elbaze said she believed the letter was meant to cause disruption and chaos rather than an actual threat, but she wasn't taking any chances.
"We take these things seriously, and we want the community to know that we are taking the necessary precautions. We have the proper security infrastructures in place to keep people safe."
Lieberman said vocal anti-Semitism has been rising in Canada in the wake of the October attack by Hamas on Israel.
"I really think that the silent majority support Israel, support Jewish Canadians," he said.
"I think that there's a real minority that are vocal and others that try to cause harm and panic by sending out emails like this today."
Despite the threats, Secter Elbaze said her congregation will continue to operate.
"They don't want us to have business as usual, they would like us to cancel programs and activities, and we're not going to do it," she said. "We're going to continue to thrive as a community and to run programs and prayer services, and we have a lot of different organizations from the interfaith community who we partner with, who support us."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7034258.1726084302!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'An unfortunate waste of resources': Ontario woman facing criminal charge following water gun incident
A Simcoe, Ont. woman is facing an assault with a weapon charge after she said that she accidentally sprayed her neighbour with a water gun over the Labour Day weekend, a situation that at least one legal expert says amounts to an ‘unfortunate waste of resources.’
The man who discovered Churchill's picture was stolen was treated like a suspect; now he's being honoured
When the 'Roaring Lion' portrait of Winston Churchill is returned to the Fairmont Château Laurier, a 68-year-old man once considered the prime suspect in the heist will have the honour of replacing it.
Billionaire steps out of SpaceX capsule for first private spacewalk hundreds of miles above Earth
A billionaire kicked off the first private spacewalk Thursday, teaming up with SpaceX on the daring endeavour hundreds of miles above Earth.
WATCH LIVE @ 12 EDT Consul general to New York to answer questions over $9M luxury condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark will testify on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
Buckingham Palace guard's distinctive bearskin caps under fire by animal rights group
An animal rights group trying to get real fur out of the bearskin caps worn by King's Guards at Buckingham Palace took aim Thursday at the cost of the ceremonial garb.
Parents look to save costs as youth sports programs get more expensive
As Canadians cope with rising costs in all corners of their lives, experts say kids' athletic programs are no exception, making it more difficult for families to keep their children active at an affordable price.
Dollarama keeping an eye on competitors as Loblaw launches new ultra-discount chain
Dollarama Inc.'s food aisles may have expanded far beyond sweet treats or piles of gum by the checkout counter in recent years, but its chief executive maintains his company is 'not in the grocery business,' even if it's keeping an eye on the sector.
What passengers need to know about their rights ahead of a potential Air Canada pilots strike
While Air Canada has shared advice for travellers ahead of a possible pilots strike, an airline passenger rights advocate has more tips for Canadians who may be affected.
Ontario woman misses flight to funeral due to airline ticket typo
An Ontario woman admits she was flustered and stressed trying to book an airline ticket when she found out a close relative had died last month.