Holy Blossom Temple Security Update

April 10, 2026

During Passover, you may have noticed or seen photos/videos of increased Police presence in and around Holy Blossom Temple and other neighbourhoods as a result of the launch of the Toronto Police Services’ “Task Force Guardian” and new Counter Terrorism Unit, including significant police presence on the evening of the first seder, when TPS made their media announcement about these programs outside of Holy Blossom. In the coming weeks, we will seek to better understand how these new ongoing resources provided by TPS will support the Jewish Community and Holy Blossom Temple, including coordination to decrease the need for constant paid duty officers. At this time, the Jewish Security Network (JSN) recommends continuing paid duty officers through April 19 for organizations of our size/activity and has offered funding to help offset a portion of expenses while continuing to advocate for extended federal funding that was offered through April 11.

At present, Holy Blossom Temple will continue hiring paid duty officers at least through April 26 as we further assess the situation and take direction from authorities. We continue to assess and maintain increased security and infrastructure improvements – both visible and not visible, by design.

It bears repeating: We are counting on all congregants and guests to be vigilant. Especially when entering and exiting Temple – please do not allow those you don’t know to follow you into the building, and please be sure to check that exterior doors close behind you when you leave. As always, if you see something, say something. Please be sure to review the earlier security updates below.

Holy Blossom Temple Security Update

March 31, 2026

We look forward to being together over Pesach here at Holy Blossom Temple. Increased security, including paid duty officers, will continue at the recommendation of authorities and experts at least through all Passover offerings at Temple. Please be sure to review the security update from March 13, 2026 (and earlier updates) below.

We continue to encourage all Temple members and guests to remain vigilant. For those who are looking to get involved, the Jewish Security Network (JSN) provides the structure, training and support to make this possible through programs like Situational Awareness Training, Community Watch and the more advanced Protector course. These programs range from a 1.5 hour course to ten 3 hour sessions that equip volunteers with practical skills in awareness, access control, identifying suspicious behaviour and responding appropriately within clear, lawful boundaries. You can also go to jsntor.ca to find out more. Please read the full message from the Jewish Security Network (JSN) HERE.

Chag Pesach Sameach.

Holy Blossom Temple Security Update

March 13, 2026

These difficult times remind us how precious, and how necessary, our sacred spaces are. Holy Blossom Temple remains a place of prayer, of gathering, of learning, and of resilience.

For words of comfort, click here to watch Rabbi Splansky’s Rabbinic Reflection

The increased security measures, protocol, and personnel, including paid duty officers will continue at the recommendation of the Toronto Police Services (TPS), Jewish Security Network (JSN), the UJA, our Security Committee Leadership, and other authorities. Holy Blossom is in direct daily contact with TPS and JSN for clear up-to-date recommendations and support, both physically and by way of funding. We are counting on all congregants and guests to be vigilant. Especially when entering and exiting Temple – please do not allow those you don’t know to follow you into the building, and please be sure to check that exterior doors close behind you when you leave. As always, if you see something, say something.

Please see additional recent security updates below, as well as in the email sent on March 11, 2026.
We also encourage you to review our Active Shooter Safety Guide here.

We will be here at Temple to warmly welcome you. May we continue to come together with strength, care for one another, and a shared commitment to safety and our community.

Shabbat Shalom to all.

Holy Blossom Temple Security Update

March 7, 2026

This Shabbat was full and joyous.

Some came, davka (specifically), because Israelis couldn’t go to their synagogues or had to turn their shelters into make-shift synagogues. Some came, davka, because of the recent gunfire at local synagogues. They wanted to show the haters and themselves that they would not cower or hide. And some came, davka, because they longed for the spiritual uplift that comes from our prayers, for being anchored by the ancient wisdom of Torah, for the stability that comes from simply being together with fellow Jews, for instilling in their children and grandchildren the love of Shabbat.

Gratitude

We wish to thank Toronto Police and Division 13 for their swift and constant attention. They are making their presence very well-known in the neighbourhood. When you see them in our parking lots and around town, please make a point of thanking them. We pray for the day when we won’t need them, but until then, we are grateful for their service.

We wish to thank the Jewish Security Network, which provides timely and helpful communications, like this Community Security Update from UJA, so we can do our part in putting our own security protocols into place.

We thank our own Holy Blossom team of professionals and volunteer leadership for showing up again and again to do what is needed to keep our congregants and guests safe. At UJA’s community briefing, it was encouraged for anyone interested in community safety and security to consider signing up for the JSN’s Community Watch Synagogue training session. New dates are coming soon. Please visit: https://www.jewishtoronto.com/jsn for more details.

Security Updates

This past Wednesday, in our “On the Horizon” e-newsletter, a Security Update was shared. On top of the additional measures put in place, we have received confirmation from the Toronto Police that a paid duty officer will be at Temple tomorrow (Sunday, March 8). We have requested Paid Duty officers for the next two weeks. We will continually assess the situation. We are in direct communications with Inspector Benoit of Division 13, with the Jewish Security Network, with our own Security Committee of experts at Temple, and more.

We will continue to advocate on behalf of Holy Blossom and the entire Jewish community. Rabbi Splansky is reaching out to our representatives at all levels of government to demand more, to demand better. This week, our city and our country have crossed a threshold, where we have to question if our basic religious freedoms, as enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, are being upheld and protected. Please read today’s Statement from Prime Minister Carney. Make your own voices heard. Consider the Action Items from CIJA and from our own Holy Blossom Temple Advocacy Committee, as noted in their most recent article.

Tonight’s Havdalah service included the words from the Megillah:

“For the Jews (of Mordechai and Esther’s time) there was light and happiness, joy and delight.” 

לַיְּהוּדִים הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשֹׂן וִיקָר

And we respond in one loud and clear voice: “So may it be for us!” !כן תהיה לנו

Shavuah Tov.

May it be a good and peaceful week for us, for the Jewish People everywhere, and for all the world.

Security Update

March 5, 2026

UJA Community Briefing: Security Update with Toronto Police

In the wake of the shooting at Temple Emanu-El this week on Purim, join UJA Federation of Greater Toronto online Friday, March 6 at 11:00 am for an important briefing on community security with Toronto Police Deputy Chief Frank Barredo and Chief Superintendent Katherine Stephenson.

During the briefing, you will have the opportunity to submit questions.

This webinar will be moderated by Sara Lefton, Chief Development Officer, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and feature a security update from Jevon Greenblatt, Executive Director of the Jewish Security Network (JSN).

Learn more and register here

Holy Blossom Temple Security Update

March 4, 2026

At this time, our hearts are with our brothers and sisters in Israel, in Iran, and at Temple Emanu-El.  Toronto police reported that shortly after community members had left the synagogue’s Purim party late Monday night, Temple Emanu-El in North York was struck by gunfire. While no injuries were reported, the building sustained damage.

You will notice that this week there has been additional security here at Holy Blossom Temple – some is visible, some not visible (by design), and increased Toronto Police Patrols in the Holy Blossom Temple neighbourhood. Please note that we are in direct touch with and have significant support from both our Police Division (13), including the Inspector and Staff Sergeant, and Police across the city, including intelligence, the Jewish Security Network (JSN), and other local and national authorities, including elected officials. We are blessed to have a knowledgeable Security Committee Chair, Andrew Kirsch, and as well a very supportive Security Committee.

In addition to our usual security measures, you may encounter more uniformed security representatives, who may check bags (including purses and tallit bags) for specific events. Unless you have small children with you, please avoid bringing larger bags to Temple.

Security will continue to be assessed and invested in, constantly. Holy Blossom Temple continues to apply for funding opportunities from all levels of government as related to security. Please cooperate fully with our security and facilities teams, be patient, and leave extra time for entering the building. We are all partners in ensuring our Temple is safe and secure. Please be vigilant, especially when entering and exiting Temple. Do not allow those you don’t know to follow you into Temple and please be sure to check that exterior doors close behind you when you leave. As always, if you see something, say something.

As Vibrant and proud Jewish life continues to flourish at Holy Blossom every day of the week, the safety of our congregants, students, and those who work here is our first priority.

There is much to pray for now

We mourn for the Israeli lives lost and the many injured in this next wave of war.  We pray for our Israeli siblings whose lives are continually interrupted by the wail of sirens.  We see the images of joyous weddings and defiant Purim parties in shelters and underground parking lots, and we rejoice with them.  We are in awe of the courage of the IDF soldiers standing guard at every border, of the pilots who take to the skies, of the sailors at sea, and of those whose acts of bravery we will never know.  May a lasting peace come swiftly for the State of Israel and all her inhabitants.

We stand in solidarity with the innocent Iranians, who are courageously rising up against the tyranny which has ruled them with fear and violence for far too long.  May peace and freedom come swiftly to the proud and ancient Persian civilization.

We also pray for our Persian neighbours in Toronto who are gripped by the fear of the unknown.  They have stood with the Jewish community since October 7th^, and now we stand with them, descendants of King Cyrus the Great.  May peace and dignity be restored swiftly.

We pray for our sister-congregation, Temple Emanu-El, which was targeted under the darkness of Purim night. May the confident joy they experienced together just hours earlier swiftly return. May their sanctuary always be a true sanctuary.

We pray for our own congregation, which is strong, but that doesn’t mean we don’t also feel vulnerable. May we come confidently to this spiritual home and leave each time renewed by it.

We pray for police officers and security guards, who put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect us and our neighbours.  We pray for lawmakers, judges, and elected leaders.  May God’s wisdom guide them in this hour that demands discernment.  We pray for our city, which longs to be a bright light among the cities of the world, a celebration of diversity and mutual respect.  We pray for our country, which is struggling to find its way in a world which can be dangerous and unpredictable.

Each weekday morning, we pray:

Grant us peace, Your most precious gift, O Eternal Source of Peace, and give us the will to proclaim its message to all the peoples of the earth.  Bless our country, that it may ever be a stronghold of peace, and its advocate among the nations.  May contentment reign within its borders, health and happiness within its homes.  Strengthen the bonds of friendship among the inhabitants of all lands, and may the love of Your name hallow every home and every heart.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל־יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל וְאִמְרוּ: אָמֵן

May the One Who Makes Peace in the heights of heaven, cause a measure of that peace to descend on us, on all the People Israel, and upon all the inhabitants of the earth.  And let us say:  Amen.