WINNIPEG โ The Jewish Federation of Winnipeg has hired William Sagel as Regional Community Security Director for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, naming him to a new position created to strengthen and coordinate protective measures across Jewish institutions in the two provinces. Sagel will officially join the Federation staff on December 1, 2025.
The appointment follows more than a year of planning by the Federation to design a comprehensive, professional security program. The initiative draws on models used by larger Jewish communities in Montreal and Toronto and aims to centralize expertise, training, and grant-supported infrastructure upgrades for synagogues, schools, and community centres.
Local Jewish leaders quickly welcomed the move as necessary, given a rise in antisemitic incidents locally and nationally. Rabbi Carnie Rose, senior rabbi at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, said the hire is an important and timely step, citing incidents in the city that have heightened community concerns. โPeople were shouting out some pretty not-nice things about Jews and Israel,โ Rose told the Winnipeg Free Press, describing harassment observed at recent rallies.
Jeff Lieberman, president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, framed the creation of the post as part of a proactive approach to community safety. He said the Federationโs donors and partners made the investment possible and that the new role will allow the community to โbe proactive rather than reactive.โ Lieberman said Sagel will review security infrastructure, manage event security planning, oversee grant-supported upgrades, and coordinate staff and volunteer training.
The hiring comes against a backdrop of sharply increased police-reported hate crimes in Canada. Statistics Canada data show the number of police-reported hate crimes rose slightly to 4,882 incidents in 2024, continuing a multi-year upward trend that has more than doubled counts since 2018. National analyses and Jewish communal organizations noted that Jewish Canadians bore a disproportionate share of religiously motivated hate crimes in 2024.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs highlighted the scale of the disparity, noting Jewish Canadians were far more likely than other groups to be targeted in police-reported hate crimes last year. The organisation called on all levels of government and law enforcement to increase support and enforcement to protect vulnerable communities.
Sagel brings more than a decade of experience in security and risk management in government and the private sector, including work abroad. Federation materials and social posts say he visited Winnipeg in recent weeks to meet community leaders and tour institutions to better understand local needs. The Federation said Sagel will be integrated into a national security framework to leverage established programs and technologies used in other Canadian Jewish communities.
Local leaders described a range of incidents that helped motivate the Federationโs decision. The city has seen antisemitic graffiti and other hostile acts this year, including a case that originally drew multiple mischief charges and has subsequently included additional terrorism-related counts, according to reporting by local outlets. Community officials said those events underscored the need for sustained, professional security leadership.
The Federation said for security reasons it will not disclose specific operational findings publicly, but it emphasized that the work will be tailored to Winnipegโs distinct community landscape. Lieberman said the goal is a robust, long-term program that protects institutions and fosters a sense of safety for Jewish life in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Requests for additional comment from the Federation and from municipal partners were directed to the Federationโs communications channels. The Federation will begin implementing aspects of the security program immediately and will publicly announce training and infrastructure initiatives as they are ready.
Thank you for reading. If you value independent Jewish journalism, help keep our reporting free and reliable, share this article, subscribe for regular coverage, or donate $10, $25, or $50 today.
Every gift powers timely, trusted reporting and amplifies pro-Israel voices defending Jewish rights worldwide. Donate now.
This article is based on verified information from the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Free Press, Statistics Canada, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.