Montreal Chasidic Community Faces Rising Antisemitic Attacks Including Streimel Thefts

A serious antisemitic incident occurred in Montreal, Canada, on a Friday night around 9:45 p.m. in the Outremont neighborhood, the heart of Quebec's large Chasidic community. A man stealthily approached a Chasidic Jew leaving synagogue and repeatedly tried to forcibly remove his streimel, a traditional fur hat. The attacker then reportedly stole at least two additional streimels valued at tens of thousands of dollars. Security footage captured the assailant exiting a black vehicle, approaching the victim from behind on Bernard Street, and attempting to grab the hat before fleeing when bystanders intervened.

The Jewish Chasidic Council of Quebec (CJHQuebec) reported that this was part of a series of assaults that evening, including harassment, antisemitic slurs, spitting, and throwing objects at community members, one of whom was in a wheelchair. At least three streimels were stolen or knocked off during these attacks. Rabbi Sam Muller, CEO of the council, expressed shock, stating, "In 2026, we did not expect this situation. They sneaked quietly, mocked, cursed, and fled. They knew exactly what they were doing."

Montreal police have handed the investigation over to the hate crimes unit, but no suspects have been arrested yet. The community urges witnesses to come forward with information. Outremont Mayor Caroline Brown condemned the attacks, calling the rise in antisemitism in the city "unacceptable." These incidents add to a troubling wave of antisemitic acts across Canada, which recorded a record 6,800 such events in the past year. The Montreal Chasidic community, identifiable by their traditional attire, is increasingly feeling unsafe, even on Sabbath nights, in a country once considered relatively safe for Jews.