Shabbat Zachor and More | CAEF Bulletin, Mar 08, 2026

CAEF
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We remember Amalek

Sara Lamm positions events in Iran with the Megillah story of Esther.

“It was February 28th, 2026. The eve of Purim. Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath on which we read the command to remember Amalek.

The Iranian regimes plot to annihilate the Jews was not random politics. It was the next chapter in an ancient hostility.

The Purim story does not end with Haman’s death. That is where most people stop reading. Haman is hanged, the Jews are saved, roll credits. But the text is more dangerous than that.”

Read this article and learn that the Jews, once Esther convinced the king to allow the Jews to fight and defend themselves, conquered the evil Hamaniks across the Persian Empire. The war went on for a year, over 75,000 were killed, 500 in the Royal Palace alone. In 2026, the Jews again took up arms and fought the evil imperialist, Ayatollah Khamenei, and the war won’t end until Israel and America win and evil is eliminated.

We Celebrated with Joy, Costumes, Hamentaschen

CAEF is delighted to share a photo of our founding Queen, Shirley Anne Haber and her kingly husband, not Acheshverus, but wonderful Harvey Haber.

Legal Update

Yves Engler Sentenced: Yves G. ENGLER, sometime self-declared candidate for leadership of the New Democratic Party of Canada, was sentenced to two years probation and 50 hours of community service on counts of criminal harassment and obstruction of justice by the Court of Quebec sitting in Montreal. The Quebec court found that ENGLER had harassed and interfered with Detective Crivello of the Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal when he organized a campaign to flood Detective Crivello's police email system with over 1,000 emails demanding that she cease his investigation of ENGLER for allegations of criminal harassment against activist Dahlia Kurtz.

Read the Court's verdict here (in French)

2026 QCCQ 198 (CanLII) | R. c. Engler | CanLII Est-ce que vous ne pouvez pas comprendre le francais? Veuillez utiliser le service de traduction "Google".

Yves ENGLER has a long and notorious record of making statements hostile to Jews in Canada. The fact that he is now officially a convicted criminal is, in our estimation, good news.

Security Alert from the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and the Jewish Security Network

The Israeli National Security Council issued a warning yesterday regarding an increased risk to Jewish and Israeli communities abroad. While such advisories are not unusual during periods of heightened tension, the current circumstances warrant careful attention.

Israeli authorities periodically issue security advisories to Israeli citizens travelling abroad, based on the global threat landscape. As each community has distinct security considerations and risk factors, local threat assessments are critical in understanding how to respond to the global situation.

JSN's security guidance to the community remains that this is a time for Jewish life to continue with heightened vigilance, reinforced security protocols, and active participation from community members.

Iran and its proxies have historically targeted Jewish and Israeli interests outside the Middle East. For this reason, it is important that communities remain alert and take sensible precautions.

Several recent incidents in Greater Toronto involving gunfire directed at buildings overnight, with one such incident targeting our community this week at Temple Emanu-El, serve as a reminder that the environment we operate in requires continued vigilance.

JSN is in ongoing contact with Canadian law enforcement and intelligence partners.

They are actively investigating the recent incidents and continue working to ensure the safety and security of the community. We will remain in close coordination with them and will provide updates if the situation changes.

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to follow these practical steps:

When in public spaces, stay aware of your surroundings and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Be attentive when arriving at or leaving Jewish institutions or events.
Pay attention to unusual or suspicious people, vehicles, or objects around community facilities.
Do not allow unknown individuals access to buildings or secured spaces.
If you have received JSN training, consider assisting with volunteer security at your synagogue or community institution.
Please cooperate with security personnel and law enforcement when they are conducting checks or managing access.

If you witness suspicious activity, experience a concerning incident, or have a security question, please contact JSN’s 24/7 Security Operations Centre: 437-222-3999. In an emergency, always call 911 first.

Security is a shared responsibility. Awareness, communication, and cooperation are some of the most effective tools we have to keep our community safe.

JSN Management

Attacks in Toronto

March 2, 2026

Overnight, Temple Emanu-El at 120 Old Colony Road was targeted for gunfire. While the synagogue's building has been damaged, no injuries have been reported. Police are on-site and are investigating. Media have also reported on an alleged incident at nearby Kehillat Shaarei Torah (2640 Bayview Avenue). Toronto Police have confirmed to JSN that this information is inaccurate. Images of vandalism at Kehillat Shaarei Torah relate to a past incident, in which a hammer was used to smash the synagogue's windows. The Jewish Security Network of Greater Toronto is advising the community to exercise heightened vigilance and awareness at this time.

March 2, 2026

A CAMPAIGN OF TERROR An Iranian-Canadian dissident's gym shot up with 17 bullets in Thornhill. A North York synagogue riddled with gunfire. York Regional Police are already examining "transnational elements." Canadians can connect the dots. This is a campaign of terror. The IRGC has been designated a terrorist organization in Canada since 2024. Parliament itself identified 700 Iranian regime agents operating on Canadian soil - and Ottawa has yet to act on it. This is what that negligence looks like. Federal law enforcement must act now. Investigate these attacks as coordinated foreign-directed violence. Enforce the IRGC designation. Protect Canadians from the Khamenei Regime. Canada does not allow foreign regimes to silence and terrorize people on our streets. Stand up. Speak out.

Standing with Iranians

On February 28^th, about 100,000 Iranians and allies rallied in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto, in support of the US and Israeli attacks to eliminate the terror regime and calling for the return of Reza Pahlevi. Amidst a sea of traditional lion and sun flags, were US and Canadian flags and Israeli flags. Those of us draped in the Magen David were welcomed, thanked and encouraged to join the crowd in celebration.

Thanking Israel

Standing on the steps leading to the Israeli Consulate for Ontario and Western Canada, a group of Iranian and Jewish Canadians sang and danced, called out their gratitude and embraced one another on March 4^th.

Speaking from a platform were Salman Sima, founder of ICARE, Daniel Bordman, journalist, Donna Holbrook, National Executive Director of ICEJ Canada, Avi Attali, VP of CAEF and founder of OneGlobalVoice, Andria Spindel, Executive Director of CAEF, a Student from York U and another from McGill U. Messages all acknowledged Israel and the US are leading the world in defence of freedom and the end of tyranny and terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the historic, and soon to be renewed, relationship between Iranians and the Jewish people.

Advocacy and Action

Participate in CIJA’s Action Hub—Call Your MP

Tell your MP, whatever party they belong to, that Canada is doing the right thing by standing up for the US and Israel’s actions against the tyrannical Islamist regime that has harmed Iranians, Israelis and threatened the peace of the world. Tell your MP to do more: to deport the IRGC members from Canada, to do more to support Israel which is under siege, to support the brave Iranian people who are unarmed and fighting for freedom and to protect the Jewish community and allies in Canada who are victimized by Islamist supporters.

Take Action Now

B’nai Brith Canada Petition Calls for Royal Commission on Antisemitism

“We are urging all Canadians to sign our petition for the Government establish a Royal Commission on Antisemitism in Canada,” said Simon Wolle, B’nai Brith Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “The crisis of antisemitism is untenable and must be investigated with the full force of government action.”

The B’nai Brith press release included the following statements: “A Royal Commission would include experts, community stakeholders, and others, who would study the phenomenon of antisemitism and recommend measures to combat its spread. Concerns about Jewish safety in Canada have been reinforced by recent reports from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). In December 2025, its Terrorism Threat Assessment Centre warned of a “real possibility” that terrorists could target Jews in Canada. Other government reports have also linked antisemitism to rising levels of extremism in this country.”

Sign the petition.

Allied Voices for a Strong Canada Calls for Deportation of IRGC from Canada

Sign this petition from Allies for a Strong Canada, urging the government to deport members of the IRGC, a designated terrorist entity, who are living in Canada.

ALCCA Meeting with Vince Gasparro MP

As a member of the 70 member strong Alliance of Canadians Combating Antisemitism, 3 CAEF members were present for an open conversation with MP Vince Gasparro, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Combatting Crime). Those community members who attended had a full and candid exchange with Mr. Gasparro, facilitated by ALCCA's Chair, Mark Sandler, about a number of issues of concern to the Jewish community that fall within the federal government’s mandate.

These included the misuse of anti-Palestinian racism to demonize Zionists, the need to address contemporary antisemitism manifested by antizionism, amplification of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, federal funding of initiatives that demonize our community, safe borders, bail reform, Bill C-9 and the introduction of a wilful promotion of terror offence, the BDS movement, and Canada's foreign policy and its impact on our community. We are grateful to Mr. Gasparro for his participation in this important dialogue and were invited to follow up with him on a number of items identified during the meeting.

Mark Sandler, Chair of ALCCA and Vince Gasparro, MP Lawrence-Eglinton

Readers Share Advocacy Actions

Read CAEF letter to Chair and Governing Council at U of T.

Read Letter from Larry Shapiro, Calgary to the Wall Street Journal re article asking if Gavin Newsom would deny arms to Israel, March 6, 2026.

Read Letter from Richard Sherman, Florida to Chapman University, March 7, 2026 re Zionophobia of Students for Justice in Palestine and their blood libels.

Recommended Viewing

Watch Eylon Levi on JTV, drawing parallels between Purim and today.

Watch Brigitte Gabriel tell all about the respect Arabs are showing to Trump.

Watch Isabel Brown on Facebook show Iranian women in Iran who are expressing their freedom in Iran.

Watch this UN representative address the General Assembly pointing out the uselessness of the UN which makes statements but never takes action against tyrants. He thanks US and Israel.

Watch Goldie Ghamari, Iranian Canadian, thanking Israel and the IDF for supporting Iranians.

Watch Natasha Hausdorff, Senior Counsel, UK Lawyers for Israel, explain international law that allows/justifies the attack on Iranian leadership.

Watch Candace Malcolm on Juno News speaking about the attack on Temple Emanu-El synagogue on March 2^nd. Iranian Canadian also had his gym shot up by thugs who support Iranian regime. These are thought to be IRGC actions.

Watch Bill Maher on the freedoms given to the west by liberal democracy, the contributions from Israel and the lazy crazy idiots who pro-Hamas, November 2025.

Watch Daniel Kikawa, Hawaiian Indigenous American, a visitor to Canada, standing strong with Israel and the Jewish people.

Two UN Stories

Community Events

CAEF brings you another DocuNation Special film. Watch In Her Footsteps, then join the conversation

In Her Footsteps (2017), directed by Rana Abu-Fraiha, tells the deeply personal story of a Bedouin Muslim family navigating identity, belonging, religion, and tradition within Israeli society. Through the mother’s final wish, the film opens a sensitive and layered conversation about femininity, integration, and the meaning of home.

Event details: Watch online: March 5 to 16

Join Live Q&A with director Rana Abu-Fraiha, hosted by Yonatan Nir

Register here for the film and Q&A

Recording available afterward