Toronto(December 20, 2017) –Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) continues to be concerned after beinginformed of more synagogues that have been targeted by antisemitism. 

Young Israel of Ottawa and Congregation Emanu-El in Victoriaare the latest to report receiptof the hate mail sent to synagogues in multiple cities – includingCalgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston and Montreal.

The unmarked letters depicted in graphic style aswastika embedded in a yellow Jewish star dripping with blood accompanied bythe words "Jewry Must Perish.""We commend police from multiple services for their diligence as this hatecrime investigation moves forward, and are also appreciative of the manystatements of condemnation and solidarity, " said Avi Benlolo, Presidentand CEO of FSWC. “FSWC will continue to monitor these incidents while we workacross communities to push back the darkness the perpetrators of this obscenecrime tried to interject as the celebration of Chanukah comes to a close forthis year.”

Anyone with further information should contact theirlocal police departments as soon as possible.

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Media Contact:

Avital Borisovsky 
Communications Associate 
416.864.9735 x 29 
aborisovsky@fswc.ca

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Follow us on Twitter at@CanadianFSWCfor latest news and organization updates.

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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over 100,000 people each year and 500,000+peripherally. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educationalprograms including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimedTour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca.

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