Saskatchewan man charged after eggs thrown at Saskatoon synagogue

A Saskatchewan man has been charged after allegedly throwing eggs at a Saskatoon synagogue while members of the Jewish community were inside for a religious service.

Saskatoon police say the incident happened at Congregation Agudas Israel on McKinnon Avenue at around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 1.

According to police, a man arrived at the synagogue carrying a carton of eggs and allegedly threw them at several vehicles as well as parts of the building. Rabbi Claudio Jodorkovsky said he was leading a service at the time, with eggs striking the synagogue’s windows and doors. Eggs were also found on vehicles in the parking lot.

Police subsequently released surveillance images of the suspect and asked the public for help identifying him.

Investigators say tips from the public led to the identification of a 31-year-old man from Dundurn, Sask. Arrangements were then made for him to surrender at Saskatoon Police Service headquarters on Aug. 13.

The man, identified in court doblockents as Jayden Clarke, has been charged with three counts of mischief under $5,000 and was released on conditions.

The Saskatoon Police Service’s Hate Crimes Unit and Community Engagement Division were involved in the investigation.

Police Superintendent James Oliver noted that “hate crime” is generally an umbrella term rather than a specific Criminal Code charge, but evidence that an offence was motivated by hate or prejudice can be considered an aggravating factor at sentencing.

Congregation co-president Robert Englebert described the incident as a “directed attack” against the Jewish community and said the synagogue has increased security in response.

“We can wash our building. We can wash our cars,” Englebert told CKOM “but it’s not just eggs.”