March 13, 2026 / 24 Adar 5786

Dear Beth Tzedec community,

Like many of you, we are deeply saddened and unsettled by what has unfolded in recent days. Three synagogues in Toronto were targeted by gunfire last week, and yesterday, a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, was the site of a disturbing vehicle attack. These are serious events that strike close to home and understandably leave many feeling concerned. We stand in solidarity with the communities that were targeted and with all those impacted by this violence.

As we’ve communicated over the last two weeks, we want to remind you that your safety is our top priority. Beth Tzedec is here to protect our community and to ensure that our kehilla remains a safe place for prayer, gathering, and connection.

To that end, we have invested deliberately over several years in strong, well‑established security measures across infrastructure, trained personnel, and clear operational protocols to protect our community. We continue to work very closely with, and be guided by, Toronto Police and the Jewish Security Network (JSN), along with our security partners and consultants to actively review and validate that our security approach operates as intended.

Preparing for Shabbat
As we gather for Shabbat Strong, you will notice some visible changes.

These include vehicles positioned to serve as deterrents, an increased security presence inside and around the building, and continued bag checks.

You may be wanded, and you may be asked questions if you are not immediately recognized by our security team. Whether you are a long-time member or new to the community, please do not be offended—these steps are taken solely for your safety. We recommend dressing warmly, as there may be brief, occasional line‑ups at entry.

While we do not share details of our full security program, we can reassure you that Beth Tzedec is equipped with extensive camera coverage to ensure there are no external blind spots, and our 24/7 staffed security booth will remain in operation.

There is a single point of entry at the rear parking lot, and all doors are alarmed. Inside the building, the sanctuary and chapel are equipped with lockdown technology that can be activated at the press of a button; for this reason, doors must remain closed during services. We recognize that some of these measures may feel unfamiliar, but we ask for your cooperation, as they are essential to keeping everyone safe.

In the spirit of Shabbat Strong, we encourage you to continue attending services and programs at Beth Tzedec. Your presence matters. We also ask for your partnership by following the guidance below from JSN that we shared earlier in the week which supports the safety of Jewish communities across our city:

• Stay aware of your surroundings and avoid unnecessary distractions.
• Be attentive when arriving at or leaving the synagogue or Jewish events.
• Pay attention to unusual or suspicious people, vehicles, or objects nearby.
• Do not allow unknown individuals access to buildings or secured spaces.
• If you have received JSN training, consider assisting through approved volunteer security roles.
• ​​​​​​​Please cooperate with security personnel and law enforcement when they are conducting checks or managing access.
• ​​​​​​​Any suspicious activity or security concern should be reported immediately to 911 and to JSN’s 24/7 Security Operations Centre at 437‑222‑3999.

Our focus is on keeping Beth Tzedec open, secure, and functioning as a sacred place of gathering and prayer. However, we must also continue to adapt responsibly to the environment around us.

Thank you for your cooperation, your awareness, and your trust as we continue to look after one another and our community.

Phil David, Executive Director