Vancouver, Canada – A synagogue in Vancouver was targeted in an arson attack, causing damage to the front doors of the building. Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt described the moment when a passerby alerted them to the fire outside the Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street. The incident, which occurred after services around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, was quickly condemned by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as an act of antisemitism.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver confirmed that the fire was intentionally set by an individual who poured fuel on the front doors of the synagogue. Despite the damage, the synagogue was declared safe to be reopened after a search conducted by the Vancouver Police Department and a fire inspector.
Following the attack, there was a heightened sense of security in the Jewish community, with additional police patrols being put in place at local Jewish institutions. The incident in Vancouver came on the heels of similar incidents in Montreal and Toronto, where bullet holes were found at Jewish schools.
Various leaders, including Liberal MP Anthony Housefather and B.C. Premier David Eby, spoke out against the attack, calling it reprehensible and urging for immediate action to combat antisemitism. The Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center also expressed shock and dismay over the violence directed at the Vancouver synagogue.
As authorities investigate the incident as a possible hate crime, the community has rallied together to denounce the attack and show support for the targeted synagogue. The resilience and unity of the community in the face of such adversity serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against antisemitism in Canada.
Despite the unsettling nature of the attack, the synagogue members remained grateful that no one was hurt and that the damage was minimal. Moving forward, there is a shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Jewish gathering places in the country.