Anti-Semitic slogans spray-painted on two separate Jewish facilities as well as a memorial have left Calgary’s Jewish community “horrified.”
At some point yesterday evening, the Calgary Jewish Centre and its Holocaust War Memorial near 90th Avenue and Jerusalem Road SW were spray-painted with numerous anti-Semitic slogans, which were also found on fences and mailboxes down the street.
A Jewish facility in Woodbine was also targeted.
“This is a hate crime,” said Adam Singer, community relations chair for the Calgary Jewish Centre. “And the timing is quite disturbing, coming at the time of a very sombre memorial within our community. Kristallnacht was almost 71 years ago exactly.”
Kristallnacht, the Night of Shattered Glass, took place on Nov. 9, 1938. It was a co-ordinated attack on German Jews by the Hitler Youth, Gestapo, SS and SA, which led to the deaths of 99 Jews and the arrest and detainment of almost 30,000 people.
“An attack on an individual is an attack on a community, and an attack on a community is an attack on the Canadian community overall,” said Singer.
“This is something that should concern all Canadians. It is an attack on Canadian values.”
Calgary police are treating the incidents separately until further evidence arises. They are reviewing video surveillance from the area.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
