On Monday, March 11th 2002 the Anshei Minsk synagogue, located in the heart of Kensington Market, was featured on the national news. Early that morning, someone attempted to burn down the Minsk, one of Toronto’s oldest synagogues and an important spiritual and social centre of Toronto’s downtown Jewish community. Well before dawn, one or more unidentified persons broke into the recently renovated synagogue and started a fire on the upper balcony, an act causing damage to the building itself and destroying thousands of books. The damage is estimated at $200,000.

The Anshei Minsk is not merely a Shul. It is a unique and dynamic outreach organization for Jews living downtown Toronto. It is the only synagogue in the city centre providing all daily prayer services. It is a place where one may pray and eat when visiting loved ones being cared for in a downtown hospital during Shabbat. It is a spiritual and intellectual space in which students can gather and pursue learning throughout the week. It is an awesome and exciting environment in which Jews of all backgrounds are invited to refresh themselves, figuratively and literally, in a number of ways.

The charred remains of the holy books (many dating from the nineteenth century) have been carefully collected by members of the community from the outside steps and from the floors of the synagogue where they had been strewn. Attempts are being made to preserve as many texts as possible. We give thanks to G-d that none of the Sefer Torahs were damaged. Those books which cannot be saved will be buried according to tradition. Such activities are only the beginning, however, and we at the Minsk will need the help of the Jewish community - financial and emotional - in our efforts to right this terrible wrong. In addition to gifts of volunteerism, we will need financial assistance to help restore the damaged sections of the synagogue and replace the many books destroyed by fire. All donations are sincerely appreciated.

The spirit of the Anshei Minsk, a living landmark in Kensington market, has been strengthened by this tragedy. Since the fire we have hosted three shabbatons, each of which attracted upwards of one hunded people. The Pesach Sedarim, offered free of charge - "let all who are hungry come and eat", provided a meaningful celebration for sixty Jews each night. Please join us, as we continue to offer inspiring guest speakers, classes, parties, and our well known shabbos meals.

For information concerning these and other matters please contact us at:

All cheques should be made out to the Anshei Minsk congregation. Tax reciepts will be issued for all donations.

Kol Yisrael Arevin zeh le zeh
"All of Israel is responsible to one another"

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