Important Community Updates

At approximately 9:30 p.m. this evening, an incendiary device was thrown at the front doors of Schara Tzedeck synagogue on Oak Street. Thankfully, no one was injured and damage to the building was minor. We extend our steadfast support to the families and staff of Congregation Schara Tzedeck.  

Antisemitic rhetoric has reached a feverish pitch in our city and region recently, and it has always been our concern that the next step would be violence. This deliberate act of hate was an attempt to intimidate our Jewish community. But we refuse to be intimidated or to hide. Our community is resilient, and we are proud to be an important part of the multicultural fabric of our city, our province and our country.  

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the Fire Inspector conducted a thorough search of the building and declared the building safe to be reopened. The incident remains under investigation by VPD, and our director of community security will continue to work closely with them. We would like to extend our appreciation to the VPD and the Vancouver Fire Department for their immediate response and concern for public safety. 

The following extra precautions are in place:  

• Police will increase patrols around local Jewish institutions.  

• We are reaching out to all Jewish community organizations and advising them to remain vigilant and to follow their established security protocols. 

• Jewish Federation’s Community Security Advisory Committee is staying on top of the situation and will update Jewish community organizations as needed.   

Rabbi Rosenblatt  

Senior Rabbi  

Congregation Schara Tzedeck  

Jonathon Leipsic 

President 

Congregation Schara Tzedeck 

Lana Marks Pulver   

Board Chair  

Jewish Federation  

Ezra S. Shanken  

Chief Executive Officer  

Jewish Federation  

Jason Murray   

Chair, Security Advisory Committee  

Jewish Federation