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<\/a><\/p>\nMontreal’s skyline in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 14, 2025. (Photo by Graham Hughes\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Montreal police said there is no evidence yet that the incident was motivated by antisemitism. However, the hate crimes and arson units have been assigned to investigate the case, given the bakery\u2019s ties to the Jewish community. <\/p>\n
The first incident took place on the night of Monday, Nov. 2, when Mimimelon co-owner Jennie Volfson received a security notification that someone was attempting to open the bakery\u2019s back door. When Volfson checked her business\u2019 security cameras, she saw flames and immediately called Montreal police and firefighters. Upon arrival, firefighters were able to control the fire and keep damage to the bakery minimal.<\/p>\n
Volfson, who owns Mimimelon with her husband and father-in-law, said she received a second notification from the bakery\u2019s security system around 12:30 AM on Wednesday, Nov. 4. When she checked Mimimelon\u2019s security cameras, Volfson saw a flash of light and \u201can explosion,\u201d before the live feed cut out. <\/p>\n
This time, Volfson said the blaze could not be contained. \u201cI expected that the damage would be bad, but it\u2019s complete destruction. There is nothing to rebuild. We\u2019re going to have to scrap everything,\u201d said Volfson, adding that she was uncertain of the future for the bakery.<\/p>\n
Based on the shop\u2019s security footage, Volfson surmised, \u201cThere was a person who was able to get inside the bakery this time, probably because the door was compromised from the day before.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mimimelon, located in the historically Jewish Saint-Laurent neighbourhood, has previously been the target of acts of antisemitism. In September, a masked man entered the bakery and yelled \u201cAll the Jews will burn,\u201d before running off. <\/p>\n
The attack on Mimimelon comes at a time when B\u2019nai Brith\u2019s 2026 Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents found that antisemitic incidents nearly tripled in Quebec from 2025-2026. In August, a Montreal kosher restaurant was gutted by fire which police investigated as arson. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople do pass by sometimes on the street and yell disgusting things, and especially around October 7th. We were on high alert the whole Jewish High Holiday period, but then the holidays finished and nothing happened\u201d said Volfson. <\/p>\n
\u201cB\u2019nai Brith has called for law enforcement across Canada to consider hate motivations whenever a Jewish home or business is targeted,\u201d Paola Samuel, B\u2019nai Brith Canada Regional Director of Quebec and Atlantic Canada, wrote on X. \u201cWith the number of antisemitic incidents rising in Canada, a hate motive, unfortunately, cannot be ruled out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t really have competition as we\u2019re a very niche business,\u201d said Volfson. \u201cWe\u2019ve been here for 11 years, and I don\u2019t understand where this is coming from now.\u201d<\/p>\n