Montreal Chabad Menorah Vandalized
Montreal police are continuing an investigation after a menorah outside a Chabad Jewish Community Center in the NDG neighborhood of Montreal was vandalized last Shabbos • Full Article
Montreal police are continuing an investigation after a menorah outside a Chabad Jewish Community Center in the NDG neighborhood of Montreal was vandalized last Shabbos.
JPUpdates reports:
“The Menorah is a symbol of light spreading forth to the NDG area and the entire world. It is a symbol of our Jewish pride and it feels like this act is challenging that,” Center Director Rabbi Yisroel Bernath said in a statement.
Police claim they have no suspects or leads. Investigators have opened a file, but are not calling the incident a hate crime just yet.
He said he discovered the 12-foot menorah missing on Sunday morning — which usually stands in front of the Rohr Chabad House of NDG — and contacted the police.
Bernath claimed the menorah had toppled over, leaving the base broken.
“This is very hurtful,” he said. “The menorah is a symbol of light spreading forth to the NDG area and the entire world. It is a symbol of our Jewish pride and it feels like this act is challenging that. At a time like this, we rededicate ourselves to spreading the divine light of the menorah and I guarantee you this symbol will rise again in NDG bigger and stronger than ever.”
Rabbi Bernath added: “While we don’t know the cause of the vandalism, I feel it’s important to mention that over the past week, at a time when Israel has been under terror attacks on an almost hourly basis, inflammatory anti-Israel posters have been put up around Montreal and and at Concordia University by BDS-Quebec (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions). The posters depict the body of a Palestinian boy with the caption: ‘Israel is killing Palestinian children.’ I don’t know if there is a connection between the posters and the vandalism, but this type of anti-Israel incitement has been known in the past to lead to anti-Semitism, both locally, and around the world.”
The Shliach plans on installing a surveillance system, and has started a GoFundMe campaign to cover the cost.
22
Join ChabadInfo's News Roundup and alerts for the HOTTEST Chabad news and updates!
Related Posts:
Most Popular
New Videos
Editor's Picks
