A Vancouver synagogue is set to hold its first service after an arson attack charred the buildingB次元官网网址檚 front door and left the Jewish community shaken.
Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt says he anticipates the Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street will be B次元官网网址渇uller than usualB次元官网网址� for Sabbath and heB次元官网网址檚 encouraging members of the congregation to turn out.
Rosenblatt says the arson attack in which someone used an accelerant to set a fire at the synagogueB次元官网网址檚 front door on Thursday night was a B次元官网网址渃owardlyB次元官网网址� act.
He says the more worshippers who fill the building, the better the deterrent against a repeat.
Vancouver police say they are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime and are mobilizing at Jewish sites around the city.
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The fire, which Rosenblatt says was put out by a synagogue member with his jacket, blackened the door and left a strong smell of burning inside.
The attack comes after bullet holes were found at two Jewish schools in Montreal and Toronto in recent days.
No one was injured in the Vancouver attack or the other incidents.
Political leaders including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Columbia Premier David Eby and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim condemned the attack.
Jewish community members say they are facing a rising wave of antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October.
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 let it keep us from doing what we do,B次元官网网址� Rosenblatt said of the attack.
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 let it deter our mission and hopefully, I anticipate that on Saturday this place is going to be fuller than usual, and itB次元官网网址檚 a sad state of affairs that thatB次元官网网址檚 what brings people into the building.B次元官网网址�
Rosenblatt said he would like to see increased security around the synagogue and other Jewish facilities, but it should be done B次元官网网址渨ithin reasonB次元官网网址� given these are still community spaces that should feel welcoming.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always a double-edged sword,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he more security you put, the more intimidating it looks for people coming to visit. So weB次元官网网址檙e trying to harden the target and soften the entrance. IB次元官网网址檓 not exactly sure how else to put it.B次元官网网址�
The Canadian Press
