Vancouver Synagogue to host service following arson incident
A Vancouver synagogue is scheduled to host its inaugural service following an arson attack that damaged the front door of the building and left the Jewish community unsettled.
Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt expects the Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street to have a larger attendance than usual for the Sabbath, and he is urging congregation members to participate.
Rabbi Rosenblatt describes the arson attack on May 31 as a “cowardly” act, where someone used an accelerant to ignite a fire at the front door of the synagogue at night.
He believes that having more worshippers present in the building serves as a deterrent and reduces the likelihood of a repeat incident.
Vancouver police are treating the incident as a potential hate crime and have increased security at Jewish locations across the city.
The fire, extinguished by a synagogue member using his jacket, caused damage to the door and left a lingering smell of smoke inside.
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After bullet holes were discovered at two Jewish schools in Montreal and Toronto, the Vancouver incident occurred, with no injuries reported in either case.
Various political figures, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Columbia Premier David Eby, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, have denounced the attack.
The Jewish community is experiencing an increase in antisemitism since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October.
Rabbi Rosenblatt expressed that despite these challenges, the community must not be deterred from their mission, hoping for a stronger presence at the synagogue on Saturday.
He emphasized the need for enhanced security measures at the synagogue and other Jewish facilities, maintaining a balance between safety and maintaining a welcoming environment.
“It’s always a delicate balance,” he stated. “We aim to secure the premises while ensuring that visitors feel welcomed. It’s a challenging situation to navigate.”
