A Vancouver synagogue is set to hold its first service after an arson attack charred the building香蕉视频直播檚 front door and left the Jewish community shaken.
Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt says he anticipates the Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street will be 香蕉视频直播渇uller than usual香蕉视频直播� for Sabbath and he香蕉视频直播檚 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 synagogue香蕉视频直播檚 front door on Thursday night was a 香蕉视频直播渃owardly香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淲e can香蕉视频直播檛 let it keep us from doing what we do,香蕉视频直播� Rosenblatt said of the attack.
香蕉视频直播淲e can香蕉视频直播檛 let it deter our mission and hopefully, I anticipate that on Saturday this place is going to be fuller than usual, and it香蕉视频直播檚 a sad state of affairs that that香蕉视频直播檚 what brings people into the building.香蕉视频直播�
Rosenblatt said he would like to see increased security around the synagogue and other Jewish facilities, but it should be done 香蕉视频直播渨ithin reason香蕉视频直播� given these are still community spaces that should feel welcoming.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 always a double-edged sword,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭he more security you put, the more intimidating it looks for people coming to visit. So we香蕉视频直播檙e trying to harden the target and soften the entrance. I香蕉视频直播檓 not exactly sure how else to put it.香蕉视频直播�
The Canadian Press
