Local Jewish leaders voice support for regional security director amid rising antisemitic threats

Local Jewish leaders are welcoming the appointment of a regional security director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, calling it a vital step amid rising antisemitism across Canada and within their own communities.

Earlier this week, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg announced the hiring of William Sagel as its regional community security director for the two Prairie provinces — a move the organization describes as a co-ordinated, proactive approach to community safety.

That announcement comes as welcome news to local leaders.

“I wholeheartedly endorse this move, and in my short time in Winnipeg, I have seen enough to support this kind of effort,” said Rabbi Carnie Rose, senior rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

Rose, who recently returned to Winnipeg after serving as leader of a congregation in Cleveland, said he encountered antisemitism first-hand during rallies in River Heights supporting the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza before a recent ceasefire was declared.

“People were shouting out some pretty not-nice things about Jews and Israel… that the Nazis should have finished the job,” Rose said.

He said Jews have been targeted both locally and abroad and, understandably, feel they need more protection.

During his time in Cleveland, Rose said strong security measures were standard in Jewish communities. After a series of attacks on rabbis in that city, security personnel accompanied him on his walk home from synagogue.

“It happens, and it happens almost everywhere Jews live,” he said. “It’s just our reality. So if the community has come to a place where they feel this is something we need to do, I trust them implicitly.”

Concerns about safety in Winnipeg have been heightened by recent incidents, including antisemitic graffiti in Charleswood earlier this year. A 19-year-old man initially charged with 26 counts of mischief under $5,000 now faces additional terrorism-related charges, including participating in and facilitating the activity of a terrorist group.

“It’s unfortunate that a role like this is needed in today’s world, but it reflects the reality that Jewish communities everywhere are facing,” said Jewish Foundation of Winnipeg president and CEO Jeff Lieberman.

“The important thing is that we’re being proactive, taking concrete steps to protect our people and organizations, and to make sure everyone can live and gather as Jews safely and without fear.”

Of the 1,343 hate crimes reported in 2024 that were motivated by religion, 920 — roughly 68 per cent — targeted Jewish communities, Statistic Canada data indicates.

“In 2024, 57 per cent of all hate crimes in Winnipeg targeted the Jewish community, and of those which were specifically religiously motivated, 25 of 26 targeted Jews,” said Centre for Israel and Jewish Affair Manitoba and Saskatchewan vice-president Gustavo Zentner.

“This terrifying rise in antisemitism isn’t only localized; across the country, Jewish Canadians were 25 times more likely to experience a hate crime than any other Canadian. Last month, we convened a meeting with the Winnipeg Police Service’s executive branch to discuss the rise of antisemitism and the need for law enforcement to lay charges and prosecute acts of hate.

“Decisive action is required to send a clear message that hate will not be tolerated.”

Zentner said representatives from the Jewish community recently met with federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree ahead of next week’s federal budget, sharing their concerns and requesting additional funding through the Canada Community Security Program.

“A government’s top priority is to protect its citizens,” he said. “That is why we’re calling on all levels of government and law enforcement to keep communities safe, hold perpetrators of hate accountable and to tackle sources of hate, radicalization and extremism.”

Although hate crimes targeting Jews dropped by four per cent nationally in 2024 compared to the previous year, Lieberman said the threat remains significant.

“Like other Jewish communities across Canada, we’ve seen a rise in antisemitic incidents and threats. Recent hate crime stats confirm this,” he said. “Unfortunately, security is something that Jews globally have been forced to invest in due to the issues we face. Winnipeg hasn’t been immune to that. Our goal is to be proactive rather than reactive and stay ahead of the curve. Having William in this new role will help us go a long way in accomplishing that.”

Sagel brings more than a decade of experience in security and risk management, having worked in both government and private-sector roles in Canada and abroad. During a recent visit to Winnipeg, he met with local Jewish leaders to better understand the community’s needs.

His role will include reviewing security infrastructure across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, overseeing event security planning, managing grant-supported upgrades and co-ordinating staff and volunteer training.

“Every community is different, and part of William’s role will be to identify what’s unique to Winnipeg and how we can best strengthen our approach,” Lieberman said. “That work has only just begun. For security reasons, we don’t discuss specific findings, but we can say that the goal is to build a robust program that reflects the realities and spirit of our local community.”

The Federation said Sagel will be an integral part of a national framework that will enable the organization to draw on established security programs and technologies developed in Montreal and Toronto.

Sagel officially begins his new role on Dec. 1.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca