“Antisemitic Graffiti Targets Halifax Synagogues”

WARNING: This article contains mentions and depictions of antisemitic graffiti.

Antisemitic graffiti was found on two synagogues in Halifax over the weekend.

In addition, a building related to the Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maritimes Rohr Family Institute was also vandalized with the message “Jews did 9/11.”

Rabbi Yakov Kerzner of Beth Israel synagogue on Oxford Street described the discovery of the “disturbing” graffiti on Sunday morning.

On the same morning, a swastika was found at the entrance of the Shaar Shalom synagogue nearby, as reported by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

Kerzner expressed shock at the vandalism at his synagogue, especially since it is believed to have occurred while congregants were inside the building for a Saturday evening service.

He noted that this incident represents a concerning trend for the city, stating, “We haven’t seen this in Halifax until now. This escalation worries the Jewish community.”

The graffiti on Beth Israel also included references to Jews and 9/11, which Rabbi Kerzner described as “antisemitism and pure anti-Jew hatred.”

Rabbi Gary Karlin of Shaar Shalom expressed deep concern over the defacement, stating that although troubled, he is not surprised by the incident.

He shared, “I’ve witnessed this across Canada over the past two years… I’m apprehensive about where this is leading.”

Kerzner suggested a link between the vandalism and recent local tensions and protests.

The acts occurred following peaceful protests in the city against Israeli involvement in the Davis Cup tennis event.

He confirmed that the police and their hate crime unit have been informed about the incident.

Cleanup efforts will commence once the police finish their on-site examination.

By Sunday afternoon, the Shaar Shalom synagogue had already cleaned its exterior sign.

Despite the vandalism, Kerzner emphasized the community’s strength, stating, “We stand proud as Jews… This will not deter us. We will not retreat.”

Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, stressed the importance of taking such incidents seriously due to their frequency, including a violent event at an Ottawa grocery store in August.

Shack urged political leaders to unequivocally oppose such acts and propose effective solutions to ensure community safety.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston condemned the antisemitic graffiti targeting synagogues as “utterly abhorrent” in a social media post.

Halifax Regional Police chief Don MacLean issued a statement to the media on Monday regarding the incidents.

He mentioned that a police hate crime investigator is handling three cases of antisemitic graffiti on synagogues and three more instances on nearby sidewalks.

Extra patrols are being conducted around synagogues and other religious structures, he added.

In his statement, MacLean emphasized that Halifax Regional Municipality will not tolerate hatred and that the right to free speech does not justify spreading hate.