Sons of Jacob Synagogue Attacked on Yom Kippur

On Sunday night, as members of Belleville’s small Jewish community prepared to begin Kol Nidre services, Sons of Jacob Synagogue was attacked. An armed man targeted the synagogue while congregants were inside, forcing them to take cover. 

Constable Jeff Smith of the Belleville Police Service, stationed outside the synagogue, was shot while protecting the congregation. He remains in the hospital in critical but stable condition.  

Since the attack, Jewish communities and organizations have mobilized around the Belleville Jewish community. 

The Jewish Security Network (JSN) has been and continues to work with the congregation and law enforcement on security, while urging community members to stay alert and report concerns. 

As needs emerge, UJA together with Jewish Federations of Canada-United Israel Appeal (JFC-UIA) is helping connect the Belleville community with the appropriate people, organizations, and resources. 

The response reinforces the message UJA President and CEO Adam Minsky and Board of Directors Chair Ken Tanenbaum shared with the community after Yom Kippur: “Jewish life will continue here, openly and confidently. Those who threaten it do not get to decide its future.”  

Speaking with CBC about what Belleville means beyond just the Jewish community, Adam said: “This is an issue that has been at the forefront for our community but should really be at the forefront for all Canadians.” He spoke about the promise that brought Jews and so many others to Canada: the ability to live in a country where diversity is celebrated and tolerated. 

As the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs' (CIJA) CEO Noah Shack told Global News, what Jewish communities are facing is “not a series of isolated hate incidents, but a fundamental threat to our safety and security.”

​Our community owes Constable Smith an enormous debt of gratitude for his bravery that night and has rallied around him and his family. His wife, Ashley, shared a moving message thanking the Jewish community for showing support. 

There are two ways to stand with those affected: 

• Send a message of gratitude to Constable Jeff Smith. The messages will be compiled into a book for Constable Smith and his family as a lasting expression of our community’s appreciation.  

• Support the Belleville Synagogue Attack Response Fund to help Sons of Jacob Synagogue address its security needs.  

Sons of Jacob is a small congregation, but Jews well beyond Belleville are making sure its members know they are not alone.

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