Messages of Solidarity
In the aftermath of the attempted attack on our synagogue on January 13th, we received many messages of support and solidarity. We are sharing those that were public and/or addressed to the entire congregation. In addition to these messages, many wonderful and personal emails and calls were received by our clergy, staff, and leadership team. We are grateful for everyone who reached out to us during this challenging time.
Should you wish to respond to any of these messages, we will forward on your behalf. Please email gratitude@theshaar.org with your message and please specify your designated recipient.
Dear Rabbi Scheier,
My deepest sympathy for the terrible attack your congregation recently experienced. Although I participated in the drafting of a letter on behalf of the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Montreal, I have been thinking of you and wanted to share with you the ongoing support of the Unitarian Church of Montreal, as well as my personal wishes for continued healing.
Two Sundays ago, we lit a candle for your congregation during our communal prayers. As your neighbours, we are holding you in our hearts during this difficult time. Our houses of worship should be places of safety and peace, and it is heartbreaking to see yet another synagogue in Montreal defiled in this way.
As the Christian Jewish Dialogue prepares this year’s Christian commemoration of the Shoah, I am reminded once again how important it is to continue to educate to counter hatred and anti-Semitism in any way we can. Please know that our community is here to provide whatever support you need.
I have had the pleasure of attending a service in your sanctuary during the High Holy Days and hearing you speak. I commend your ongoing courage and the role you play as a religious leader in our city. May you continue to be blessed with the strength to lead during these challenging times.
With solidarity from our congregation to yours, and prayers for peace,
Rev. Diane Rollert
Past President and current Vice President
Christian Jewish Dialogue of Montreal
Dear Rabbi Scheier and Mr. Suss,
We were all tremendously shaken by the horrific act of antisemitism that came to your doorstep. As we noted in our public statements, this was an attack that hit the very heart of our community and we will not remain idle.
As the advocacy arm of Federation CJA we work closely with our partners to engage regularly with law enforcement to on issues of community security. We engage regularly with friends in the faith and cultural communities and were able to share news of events with our partners at the interreligious table and were heartened by their immediate outpouring of support and plans to reach out to the Shaar community. Equally responsive were our political leadership from all parties.
We have also worked to sensitize our public officials at all three levels of government to the dangers of antisemitism when left unchecked, while continuing to press them for increased resources aimed at securing community institutions and synagogues including Shaar Hashomayim.
Our work, however, does not stop with words. That is why we continue to call on our government to take concrete steps to confront the dangers posed by unchecked antisemitism, whether it occurs online or on the doors of a synagogue. A few days ago CIJA and FCJA hosted a town hall with Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, together with MPs Anthony Housefather and Rachel Bendayan. Know that in our discussion he was unequivocal in his condemnation of the attack, and reaffirming his commitment to stand against antisemitism.
On behalf of CIJA, know that we share your pain and anger and that your congregants remain first and foremost on our minds.
Respectfully yours,
Brenda Gewurz, Co-Chair, CIJA-Québec
Rabbi Reuben Poupko, Co-Chair, CIJA-Québec
Eta Yudin, Vice President, Quebec, CIJA
Dear Rabbi Scheier and Julius,
On behalf of Federation CJA and the Montreal Jewish community, we are reaching out with heavy hearts to share our sense of horror and outrage at last week’s anti-Semitic attack on our community’s beloved Congregation Sha’ar Hashomayim. Such hate in our community is unacceptable, and we will continue to do everything in our power to stop it—to identify, condemn, and band together as a community to put an end to antisemitism. An attack against one of us is an attack against all of us. The Montreal Jewish community will not be defeated by hate. Rest assured, we stand beside you now and always and offer our unwavering support as a community united.
Sincerely,
Gail Adelson-Marcovitz, President
Yair Szlak, Chief Executive Officer
Dear Rabbi Scheier,
We wish to express our dismay and our support following yesterday’s vandalization of Shaar Hashomayim synagogue. To have a place of worship violated in such a way is a grievous act that must be condemned. When one community of faith is attacked, we are all attacked.
Like you, our congregations have been unable to gather for prayer in our places of worship during this most recent pandemic lockdown. These circumstances are difficult enough, and we cannot imagine the added pain of having these sacred spaces desecrated. It is especially troubling at a time when acts of antisemitism around the world are again on the rise.
Please be assured of the prayers and solidarity of your Anglican Christian sisters and brothers as you heal from this attack and restore your synagogue for the day when your community can once again gather to offer praise to the Holy One.
Sincerely yours,
The Rt. Rev. Mary Irwin-Gibson, Bishop of Montreal
The Rt. Rev. Bruce Myers, Bishop of Quebec
Céline & I and everyone at St Jax Church Montréal stand with our dear friends as they respond to the most lamentable attacks on their community of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. We pray that the person involved will come to a full repentance and that those who allow or encourage any aspect of an environment of hatred - especially of the variety seen here - will be humbled and ashamed of how their own stirring up can contribute to these crimes. I believe that an appropriate response for us all, is to work tirelessly to wipe out the scourge of anti-Semitism in all places and at all times. For our part, we stand united with our beloved friends and can’t wait to see them more as the pandemic clouds one day lift!
Reverend Graham Singh
To the Shaar Hashomayim Community,
We are writing to express our deep shock and sorrow regarding the recent anti-Semitic attack on your congregation's building and community. No matter what the age or intention, such actions reveal how much work we still need to do to stamp out ignorance, intolerance and hatred in our midst. This is work that our faith communities, and all communities, of Montreal must share together.
We thank G-d that no one was physically injured in the attack, and at the same time, we acknowledge the emotional trauma that may arise from this incident.
As your neighbours, we extend our hands in concerned friendship. Whatever assistance you may need in the coming days, please know that we are ready to support you as best as we can.
In peace, faith and friendship,
Rabbi Sherril Gilbert, President
Christian Jewish Dialogue of Montreal
Dear Rabbi and Congregation Shaar Hashomayim Congregation Members,
As a Gentile, I am appalled by the recent desecration of your building. I cannot fathom the extremist thinking of someone who would do something like that.
I have been blessed with good Jewish friends over my lifetime and this incident makes me feel all the more saddened and, yes, embarrassed.
I wish you all much peace and courage as I close by saying the person responsible for the assault on your congregation, which is far more than vandalism, does not represent me, my family or most fellow Montrealers and Canadians.
Kindest regards,
Brendan Walsh
Hi,
I was a resident of your neighbourhood for most of my life. Heard the news about the anti Semitic vandalism on your establishment. Horrendous acts of violence - a sign of unstable times, but not a reflection of the Montreal community at all.
Sending positive wishes and community support.
Stephanie Ningran
Good morning,
Please know the Executive, Board of Directors and Membership of Congregation Shaar Shalom in Laval, stand with you in solidarity against the recent assault on your synagogue. As we experienced several years ago a similar show of racism at our shul know that we empathize with you and rally to your support.
Warmly,
Gloria Kadonoff
Dear neighbours,
We are heartsick and outraged to learn of the desecration of your synagogue. An attack on you is an attack on all of us. We are deeply saddened by this abhorrent act and stand in solidarity with you.
In sadness and resolve,
Victoria Kataoka and James Brown
I saw the horrible news of the vandalism against the synagogue and I wanted to reach out offer my support.
My best,
Ana Escrogima, Consul General of United States to Canada
Dear Rabbi Adam:
Dru and I wish you to know how upset we are learn of this senseless and racist vandalism at your beloved Synagogue.
Please know that we stand in solidarity with you, your family and congregation in the hope that such acts cease once and for all.
Jews and Christians have a unique and open relationship in our City and as members of Christ Church Cathedral, it is our sincere hope that the individual responsible will be dealt with fairly but firmly under the law so that you shall not have to suffer any further indignities.
Sincerely yours,
The Honourable Mark G. Peacock
on my behalf and that of Dru L. Spencer
Dear Rabbi Adam,
It is with a saddened heart that I reach out to you today to offer my solidarity, as I was just notified of the horrific incident at Shaar Hashomayim this morning. I want you to know that the Jewish Community of Vancouver stands with you during this extremely difficult time and that we are sending you and your congregation strength and resilience from afar.
As we both know, even amidst tragedy and sadness, there are always opportunities for blessings. We are sending you and your community many blessings today.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at eshanken@jewishvancouver.com or 778-985-5100 if there is anything we can do to support you.
Ezra S. Shanken
Chief Executive Officer
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
I was profoundly saddened by the news of the antisemitic graffiti and potentially dangerous threat to the Shaar Hashomayim that just occurred. Having lived through such a time in the States in years past, I have at least some idea of how gut-wrenching it can be to a congregation and to its leadership. Thank God, no one was hurt and the individual involved was arrested. Still, one cannot be too careful, because there are those in society who are instigated by news stories to take heinous action.
May you, your congregation, and all its staff be safe, and safely assured that the community feels your pain and stands with you.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Leigh Lerner
Dear Rabbi Scheier,
What a time we live in. As if pandemic and recession was not enough….now we see open and unashamed Antisemitism raise its ugly head, here in Canada, in Montreal, in Westmount, on the steps of your Synagogue.
I am relieved that nobody was hurt and that the perpetrator was stopped before he could inflict much worse damage to the synagogue and those who work and worship there.
I so wish there could be also a vaccine developed against hatred; it would be even more precious than those of BioNttec, Moderna etc. But there is no vaccine.
The only way to build up our societies’ immunities requires steady, permanent, patient work: we must try to immunize minds, in particular young minds, through remembrance, education, teaching empathy, values and history. We must give them the instruments to distinguish right from wrong, fake from true and recognize manipulation and hatemongering, especially in this charged and tense climate.
We will keep doing that and not let ourselves be discouraged.
Be well and be safe
Sabine Sparwasser,
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
1 Waverley Street, Ottawa, ON
On behalf of Shaarei Shomayim Congregation in Toronto, I wish to express our support for you and your community at this time. The attack on your shul is experienced as an attack on all of us as Jews and as citizens of Canada. We hope and pray that you have the strength to lead the shul through this crisis within the broader context of the pandemic. We stand with you at this difficult time.
Sincerely
Robin Gofine
Robin Gofine
President
Shaarei Shomayim Congregation
President@shomayim.org
I want to offer you and the congregation my support in light of the attack. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I or my team can do.
You have my support and you can count on me to condemn this senseless act.
Jennifer Maccarone
Députée / MNA Westmount-Saint-Louis
I was horrified to see the antisemitic graffiti on the doors of the Shaar. I want to extend my deepest heartfelt expression of solidarity to you and the rest of the clergy and management and to the trustees and the whole congregation. I know that my Liberal Parliamentary colleagues all join me in this. Please let me know if I could be of any assistance and I would be happy to help. Please share this offer with the membership.
Anthony Housefather
Member of Parliament for Mount Royal/ Député de Mont-Royal
Constituency Office/Bureau de circonscription
To all of you at the Shaar,
We are hurting. We are angry. We stand with you with great pride.
Warmly,
Edna and DannyJanco and family
The following messages were associated with donation to Shaar Hashomayim:
- To Montreal's Jewish Community, I am sorry that the world continues to be hateful towards you. Nothing but love from your Muslim neighbours.
- In honour of your synagogue after the vile desecration of your building. I am not Jewish but I am here to do whatever I can to defend you and if this donation can help scrub those vile symbols off your doors then at least I am doing something.
- I work at Chabad of Oklahoma City as the Rabbi's assistant. I was so sorry to hear about your synagogue being vandalized. Sending love and light from Oklahoma!
- I am so sorry to see that your beautiful house of worship was vandalized. Being from Pittsburgh and experiencing everything in the aftermath of Tree of Life inspired me to send some resources along with prayers for peace for your Congregation.
- In honour of Alex who helped apprehend the vandal.
Dear Neighbours,
I hope that you are in good health and reasonably good spirits today. I just saw on Facebook the horrible news that some loser vandalized your home temple. I’m so sorry that this happened to you.
If there is a community effort to help clean up the mess: I would be more than happy to volunteer or contribute. My wife and I live on Melville street and we pass by sometimes on walks in the neighbourhood. There’s enough mess in the world, we certainly don’t need hate and resentment to get any more of a foothold in our community than it already has.
Anyways, please let us know if there is any way we can help.
Wishing you the very best.
Joseph McKeown