Submitted via written comment
The Toronto Board of Rabbis appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the City of Toronto’s
public consultation regarding the proposed demonstration bylaw. This important initiative seeks
to establish protective buffer zones—or “bubble zones”—around vulnerable institutions,
including places of worship.
As the professional association representing rabbis from across Toronto’s diverse Jewish
communities and denominations, the Toronto Board of Rabbis affirms our collective
commitment to fostering inclusive, safe, and vibrant communal life. We write today in support of
this proposal, and with deep concern about the very real ways that recent demonstrations have
impacted Jewish communal spaces.
Clear Statement of Support for Bubble Zone Legislation
We strongly support the implementation of bubble zones surrounding synagogues and other
places of worship in Toronto. The proposed bylaw should offer a balanced and reasonable
solution to a growing problem: the intimidation and disruption of religious communities by
demonstrations that target people based on their identity.
While the right to protest is protected in a democratic society, so too is the right to gather freely
and without fear in religious community. We believe that the City’s proposed approach should
uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, while protecting vulnerable institutions
from targeted harassment.
Synagogues as Vulnerable Institutions in the Current Environment
The Jewish community has long experienced antisemitism in its many forms, and we are
unfortunately witnessing a surge in harassment and intimidation that specifically targets
synagogues under the guise of political protest. The presence of protests near places of
worship, especially during religious services, undermines congregants’ ability to feel spiritually
safe and emotionally supported.
These are not theoretical concerns. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 and the
subsequent war, a number of synagogues and Jewish schools in Toronto have had protests
occur directly outside their buildings, often within feet of their front doors. Across the city, rabbis
and community members are grappling with the consequences of increasingly visible and often
hostile demonstrations. These gatherings can include antisemitic rhetoric and symbolism, even
when presented in the language of political critique. In some cases, these demonstrations have
occurred repeatedly at the same location. While the right to protest is fundamental in a
democratic society, when held immediately next to religious spaces, such protests create an
atmosphere of tension, fear, and sometimes intimidation and harassment that makes Jewish
worshippers question their safety.
In response, we invited rabbis from our member congregations to share their firsthand
experiences. The stories below illustrate the very real toll this environment has taken on
Toronto’s Jewish community:
“City Shul being located right on the weekly Saturday route of protest near the AGO
has absolutely affected us. We no longer put out our sign indicating our presence in
the church, which means Bar Mitzvah guests have to be told in advance where we
are, and two security guards instead of one are with us each week. Our kiddush
lunch was interrupted by protesters one Saturday standing outside and police were
called. They asked us to stay inside until the protestors passed and they escorted
several intimidated congregants outside to their bikes and subway walk. We often
have protestors with huge anti Israel flags pass by our service but we now keep the
windows closed. It does affect us spiritually and emotionally although we support
the right of peaceful protest.”
—Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, City Shul (downtown)
“Beth Tzedec strongly supports bubble zone legislation to protect our community
from the intimidation and harassment caused by antisemitic demonstrations—often
disguised as anti-Zionist or anti-Israel protests. These protests create an
environment of fear and insecurity for our congregants, undermining our ability to
gather, pray, and celebrate safely. No one should feel unsafe attending their
synagogue. Ensuring that religious spaces remain free from targeted disruption is
not just a matter of security but of fundamental rights and freedoms.”
—Rabbi Steven Wernick, Beth Tzedec Congregation (midtown)
Broader Impact on the Jewish Community
These testimonies reflect a widespread reality in our congregations. In many synagogues,
rabbis and lay leaders have been forced to modify practices in order to safeguard their
communities. This includes hiring additional security staff or significantly increasing the hours of
current guards—a costly but necessary adjustment. These enhanced measures are straining
budgets and diverting resources away from core community offerings such as ritual services,
cultural programming, and Jewish education.
Moreover, the impact is not just financial. Synagogues have taken steps to reduce their visibility
to avoid drawing the attention of demonstrators. This includes removing signage, restricting
building access, and altering physical space (e.g., keeping windows closed during services).
Such changes affect the emotional and spiritual atmosphere of the synagogue, eroding the
welcoming, open nature that is central to religious community, and also causing Jewish
communities to hide who they are–an echo of many other times in our history when we were
forced to hide ourselves. They also mean that, in some cases, attending religious services may
include being forced to listen to hate speech or targeted protest messaging from just outside the
building. This discourages attendance by community members and can erode the community
itself.
We must also acknowledge the psychological toll on congregants, who may feel unsafe
attending events, walking to and from synagogue, or even bringing their children to community
programs. This fear undermines the essential purpose of our religious institutions: to serve as
sanctuaries of spiritual nourishment, comfort, and connection as well as expressions of identity.
Alignment with the City’s Values and Legal Framework
We appreciate and support the City of Toronto’s effort to develop this bylaw in consultation with
constitutional experts, legal advisors, community leaders, and public stakeholders. The balance
the City seeks to strike—between the protection of Charter rights and the safety of individuals
vulnerable to hate—is a delicate but vital one.
We support the bylaw as a safeguard against targeted harassment that impedes access to
constitutionally protected religious practice. The Jewish community, like all faith groups, has the
right to gather without intimidation or harassment.
We are encouraged that the City is looking to other municipalities such as Brampton, Vaughan,
and Calgary as examples of how to approach this issue responsibly. We recommend a
minimum 50-metre buffer zone around places of worship to ensure meaningful separation
between protesters and worshippers. We also encourage the City to accompany the bylaw with
robust education and outreach to help the public understand its purpose and scope.
Specific Recommendations
- Adopt a minimum 50-metre buffer zone around places of worship and other vulnerable
community institutions, including synagogues - Ensure clear public education and signage about what the bylaw permits and prohibits
- Establish clear enforcement guidelines in collaboration with the Toronto Police
- Maintain strong communication with faith-based communities to monitor the law’s
implementation and its effects - Uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, while protecting vulnerable
institutions from targeted harassment
Closing Statement and Call to Action
Toronto is a city committed to diversity, mutual respect, and inclusion. In order to preserve these
values, it is essential to protect the spaces where communities gather to nourish their spirits and
strengthen their social bonds. Synagogues, churches, mosques, temples, and other places of
worship must be protected from targeted disruption, intimidation, and fear.
We respectfully urge the City of Toronto to adopt this proposed bylaw, and in doing so, to affirm
the rights of all Torontonians to worship in safety and dignity.
Respectfully submitted by the Toronto Board of Rabbis
Contact: Rabbi Michal Shekel, Executive Director, information@torontoboardofrabbis.org,
https://www.torontoboardofrabbis.org/