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