Winnipeg synagogue vandalized with swastika graffiti

Two swastika symbols, blurred out in this photo, are spray painted on glass panes of front doors at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Winnipeg. Uploaded Jan. 3, 2026. (Submitted)

A synagogue in Winnipeg was vandalized with graffiti, including several swastika symbol on its front entrance and marble wall of its building.

In an email sent to its congregants – obtained by CTV News – Congregation Shaarey Zedek sent out a security update Friday afternoon, stating that their maintenance team discovered the graffiti in the early hours of the morning.

“At 4:30 a.m. on January 2, our video cameras captured footage of a lone offender spray painting swastika graffiti on the front entrance of the building,” the email read.

The email said the synagogue’s leadership, clergy team and the Jewish Federation Community security director were informed. The security director is following up with the Winnipeg Police Service, the email added.

In an email to CTV News, the Winnipeg Police Service confirmed that they received a report of graffiti on a building in the 500 block of Wellington Crescent.

“The graffiti has since been removed, and the incident is under investigation by the major crimes unit,” said Cst. Stephen Spencer, public information officer of the force.

No further information regarding the investigation was available, Spencer added. CTV News followed up with the force to confirm the location was Congregation Shaarey Zedek and has not received a response yet.

Paint seeped into its wall, congregants show up for Sabbath

CTV News visited the synagogue Saturday afternoon. Swastika symbols on glass panes of front doors were removed but some of the red paint remained on glass panes.

Attempts were made to remove the graffiti on the marble wall, but the paint seeped in, said Rena Secter Elbaze, executive director of the synagogue.

“There’s special products that we have to get to remove that, which will be looked after.”

Elbaze said there has been acts of vandalism in the past, but in the context of “what is happening in and around the world of heightened antisemitism,” it could be the tip of the iceberg.

“We can’t take any chances. We have to cut it off now. So that’s why this particular act is especially concerning,” she told CTV News. “It’s frightening and it’s shocking.”

Elbaze said congregants attending Saturday’s sabbath service had mixed reactions.

“Some people were afraid. Most people said they came out especially, like they rolled out of bed this morning and it’s cold outside – they decided they would show up because of it,” she said.

Elbaze expressed frustration about the incident, considering the nature of a synagogue.

“The synagogue is a place of peace and love, where we talk about loving your neighbour as yourself and caring for the poor and the widow and the orphan. And here we are – being targeted with hate.

“How could anybody hate that? There’s something just wrong about that.”

The congregation asked congregants to report anything suspicious to its security officer and greeters.

“In these difficult times, we must not be daunted by this act of antisemitism. We must, as we have always done, persevere, transcend, and go forward,” the email ended.