A gunman’s assault on a small rural synagogue during the holiest day in Judaism left one officer critically injured and shook a community that has weathered decades of adversity. The attack on Sunday evening at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, has exposed the growing vulnerability of Canada’s smallest Jewish communities, even as survivors pledge to carry on.
A Devastating Assault During Yom Kippur
At sundown on Sunday, as the congregation of Sons of Jacob Synagogue gathered for Yom Kippur services, gunfire erupted outside. Norman Weddum, the 70-year-old volunteer president, initially mistook the sounds for fireworks before realising the terrifying truth. He ushered everyone to the floor of the sanctuary as bullets whizzed overhead during a violent confrontation between police and the gunman.
The attacker, identified as Sean Ward, a former Canadian military member, was armed with multiple firearms, ammunition and gasoline in preparation for what investigators describe as a planned mass-casualty assault. Killed in the gunfight, Ward was recorded shouting threats against Jewish people. The attack also critically injured Constable Jeff Smith, who was part of a longstanding protective detail for the synagogue.
“This was a targeted attack against the Jewish community,” confirmed Chief Murray Rodd. Three days on, the synagogue’s board met again to mourn and plan, with Mr Weddum reflecting on the trauma: “There has been some trauma from this. But we’re going to pick up the pieces and we’re going to start over.”
From Bears at Bingo to Bulletproof Windows
The Sons of Jacob Synagogue has deep roots in Belleville, dating back to 1905 when Jewish immigrants first gathered for worship. By 1956, the congregation had grown to over 55 families, operating its own Hebrew school, rabbi and kosher butcher. Fundraising efforts once featured bingo nights at a local ice cream parlour, where two domesticated bears were the main attraction.
Today, the community faces a starkly different reality. With no paid staff and a shrinking congregation, security measures have become essential. Every synagogue in North America receives police protection during high holy days—a response to what Mr Weddum calls “the times we live in.” Yet even with officers present, the attack in Belleville demonstrates how far remains to go.
The synagogue now confronts significant damage, including two dozen bullet holes in its colourful stained glass window depicting the twelve tribes of Israel. “I need to find a craftsman who knows how to repair that type of stuff,” Mr Weddum said. A $90,000 GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help rebuild and secure the building.
History of Persecution in Small-Town Canada
Belleville’s Jewish community first established itself in the late 1800s, drawn by the railway hub between Toronto and Montreal. Early Jewish immigrants worked as furriers and peddlers, overcoming barriers in traditional professions. Their perseverance laid the foundation for what would become a vibrant religious centre.
Unfortunately, antisemitism has marked the community’s history. In 1925, businessman Harry Yanover discovered a cross burning on his lawn—an early sign of KKK activity in the region. More recently, in 2023, vandals shattered the synagogue’s basement window. A 2019 letter to the editor by a local Jewish student detailed experiencing racism in nearby Prince Edward County.
These incidents underscore a troubling pattern. While most antisemitic attacks occur in urban centres, the Belleville shooting highlights how even remote communities face real threats. According to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, over two dozen attacks on Jewish institutions have been recorded across Canada in the past three years.
“When you’re Jewish, you look to the history of your people,” said Shima Viggoda, the synagogue’s vice-president. “The people who came here were Holocaust survivors. They escaped Czarist Russia. They came to make a better life in this country.”
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the trauma, the Sons of Jacob congregation remains determined to persevere. Mary Cohen, a long-time board member, emphasized their resolve: “We’re resilient, that’s why we keep going. We have to fight.” The community previously overcame challenges when membership dwindled to the point where regular services were impossible. Now, with renewed purpose, they aim to rebuild both their flock and their faith.
The synagogue currently sits closed to the public while investigators process the crime scene, though Mr Weddum expects it to reopen soon. For now, the congregation reflects on their survival—notably during Yom Kippur, the day when God determines who will live through the coming year. “For Jews, it’s kind of like, who’s going in the bad book? Who will not live through this year?” Mr Weddum said. “I guess we were all in the good book, because we survived.”
Federal funding has been committed to improve security at the synagogue, though details remain unclear. As the community rebuilds, they draw strength from generations who came before—immigrants who fled persecution and built new lives in Canada.
Why it Matters
The attack on Sons of Jacob Synagogue represents a disturbing escalation in antisemitic violence that transcends urban centres and reaches the heart of Canada’s rural communities. It serves as a stark reminder that no Jewish gathering is too small to warrant protection and that hate knows no geographic boundaries. As Canada grapples with rising antisemitism, incidents like this demand comprehensive national action—not just reactive security measures, but proactive policies addressing the root causes of hate while supporting vulnerable communities to preserve their heritage and practice. The resilience shown in Belleville offers hope, but the tragedy underscores an urgent need to ensure that survival should never be mistaken for safety.
