Jewish Montrealers enter high holidays with increased security at synagogues

Jewish Montrealers are marking their important holidays with heightened security measures, as the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel stirs pain and concerns for their safety.

While synagogues traditionally have an "open door" policy during the high holidays, this year, attendees are greeted by security guards and cameras, and in some cases, must wear wristbands for entry, according to Yair Szlak, president and CEO of the Jewish advocacy group Federation CJA. "There's no specific threat [now], yet there's an environment of intimidation felt across North America," Szlak said. "We must ensure Jews don't retreat from Jewish life—if we do, our enemies have already won."

Montreal police have confirmed that no new threats have emerged, but Deputy Chief Vincent Richer emphasized that they remain on alert, increasing patrols in Jewish neighborhoods over the next 24 days. Hate crimes and other incidents surged after October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, killing over 1,000 people and taking around 250 hostages to Gaza.

Helena Plachcinski, whose father, a Holocaust survivor, brought their family to Canada, says tensions have been high since the attack. "I know what it means to be a Jew in an unfriendly society," she said, expressing relief over the security measures. "I will go [to services] because it's my duty to show I'm not afraid."

Since October 7, 2023, Montreal police have recorded 288 hate crimes and incidents against Jewish and Arab-Muslim communities, with 213 targeting the Jewish community. These incidents range from assaults to property damage. Szlak believes the true numbers are higher due to under-reporting.

Jewish institutions in Montreal have faced defacement, shootings, Molotov cocktails, and most recently, a mass email bomb threat. Szlak worries that the recent missile attack on Israel by Iran could incite more violence on Montreal's streets, as happened last October when pro-Palestinian protests erupted in the city.

Protests have continued throughout the year, including a prolonged encampment at McGill University, where antisemitic rhetoric was reportedly used. The university investigated these claims.

The Federation CJA's security budget has grown significantly since 2018, after the Tree of Life synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh. In 2023, the budget reached $1.4 million and is expected to exceed $2.1 million next year. During two weekends in October 2023 alone, $200,000 was spent on security. Jewish schools have also contributed to these efforts with their own funds.

"We're in a new reality," Szlak said, adding that there's no return to pre-October 2023 conditions. At the Shaar Hashomayim congregation in Westmount, 10 percent of the operating budget goes toward security. "It's a tragedy that in Canada in 2024 we need security guards or cameras," said Rabbi Adam Scheier, "but these are the realities, and we must respond to them."

In late September, Outremont MP Rachel Bendayan announced over $3.8 million in federal funding for a program that covers security-related costs for at-risk religious and community organizations. This follows incidents where three Jewish schools in her riding were shot at since November 2023.

Hate crimes targeting the Jewish community have also risen in Toronto, where police have increased patrols during the holiday period. Ezra Shanken, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, welcomed the increased funding, saying his federation has spent close to $100,000 on security. "It's really tough," he said. "I don't know where we'd be without the cooperation from law enforcement."

Szlak acknowledged the government program's value but stressed the need for more operational support on an ongoing basis. The CJA aims to raise $30 million over the next decade to bolster security efforts.