Requiem for Jewish Life in Canada

"The world became a very small place [after the shooting because of the outpouring of support for police which came] from literally around the world."

"[Police] are convinced … there was divine intervention [during the Yom Kippur shooting, because the right officers were at the right place at the right time]."

"Our message to all assembled is that we will be with our Jewish community – or any community that needs us – now, at the moment of need, and after."

Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd

 

"I just worry that we’ve become so polarized as a society, [and people with different views] can’t even talk to each other, let alone hear each other or discuss [issues]."

"[There is] too much drama and emotionally-driven [behaviour instead of people basing ideas on facts and data, not what they’ve heard from others]."

"[I am shocked when reading online comments suggesting] violence is somehow justified."

"How have we forgotten our history? … We’ve been down this road before, and it never leads to good ends."

Reverend Brad Beale, priest, St.Thomas Anglican Church, chaplain Belleville Police Service 

Belleville Police Chief Murray Rodd, left, speaks as part of a prayer walk Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 at Robin Jeffrey Park in Belleville, Ont. Listening at right was Rev. Brad Beale, the police service’s chaplain and a co-organizer of the event. Luke Hendry / The Belleville Intelligencer

 

This week an interfaith prayer walk took place to promote peace and unity joined by religious groups, police and citizens in Belleville, Ontario, following on the violent and deadly attack on the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in the city. The armed attacker who shot and seriously wounded the Belleville Police officer seated in an unmarked vehicle in front of the synagogue did not survive his shoot-out with wounded  constable Jeff Smith and his colleague Michael McCurdy who prevented the attacker from creating his intended slaughter inside the synagogue. 

 

He had shouted as he ran toward the vehicle where constable Smith was dispatched to help protect the house of worship and its congregants, "You are going to die for the Jews", before discharging his weapon at the constable's head and back. In the end, the one-time member of the Canadian Armed Forces died as a result of his venomous racist hatred. Both constables have yet to return to work; constable Smith engaged in a long convalescence from life-saving surgeries, and constable McCurdy recovering from the trauma of the lethal engagement.

 

The organized walk which included several hundred people from the community took place when local congregations expressed their interest in holding an event post the September 20 shooting to demonstrate their solidarity with the Jewish community under stress. The walk was also an opportunity to express the community's appreciation for the police whose outstanding service had protected the synagogue's congregants from certain death. 

 

Sandra Amaral of Brighton and Pastor Andrew King of Toronto, both Seventh Day Adventists, carry a banner promoting peace during a prayer walk Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 in Belleville, Ont. People of numerous faiths came together for the event. (Luke Hendry / The Belleville Intelligencer)

 

"Hearing the shots, yelling for people to get down, hearing the glass breaking and screams, watching parents hold their children ... I cannot begin to tell you what we as a community in Canada, as a country, very nearly lost that evening,"  

"If you had asked us what we thought our security needs were on Sept. 19, before this all unfolded, what we would have told you is that our priorities were replacing broken windows and installing burglar alarms."

"In short, we were targeted because we dared to live publicly as Jews."

Shima Vigodda, vice-president, Sons of Jacob Synagogue

 

"When gunfire erupted outside, we instantly knew the gunman was there for us inside. We knew how serious the danger was. What terrified us was the possibility that the gunman could make his way into the building and reach us."

"We come together to pray, never imagining we would find ourselves fearing for our lives. The shooting was outside, but the terror was inside with us."

"[Another attack could have a different outcome.] The next time, we may not be so fortunate. And the next family may not make it home."

Doug Lobel, congregant, Sons of Jacob Synagogue 

A forensics officer points towards a police vehicle (out of frame) at the scene of a shooting at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, where a man armed with a shotgun exchanged gunfire with a police officer stationed outside the Synagogue late Sunday evening as people were arriving for Yom Kippur. The suspect's shotgun can be seen lying on the ground adjacent to the officer. (Nick Lachance/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

 

Belleville saw another two incidents of antisemitism when flyers with antisemitic messages were distributed in the neighbourhood of the synagogue shortly after the September 20 shooting. In October police announced charges against a Belleville resident in a third and separate case. The congregation, comprised mostly of volunteers who maintain the synagogue on a low budget, knows it must change its security to continue into the future. Bullet-resistant glass, inner- and outer-door replacement, a safe room, fencing and physical barriers are all needed. 

"That’s my neighbourhood. These are my neighbours and my friends. It shakes you to the core when you see that happen in a community that you just don’t think this will happen in."

"If it can happen in Belleville, it can happen anywhere in Canada. I don’t care if it’s in Hanover, Ontario; Owen Sound, or Weyburn in Saskatchewan. It can happen in any of these communities."

"[The officers’ presence at the synagogue meant Smith and McCurdy] truly [saved] what would have been, I think, by all accounts, a massacre — and that was averted that day due to the bravery of the police."

"[The online spread of hatred is a factor accelerating these threats. The speed at which the hate has spread is quite shocking."

Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte  

Police stand in front of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian MacAlpine