Antisemitic Graffiti Targets Synagogues in Halifax

WARNING: The following account includes mentions and depictions of antisemitic graffiti.

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

Additionally, a building linked to the Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maritimes Rohr Family Institute was defaced with the message “Jews did 9/11.”

Rabbi Yakov Kerzner of Beth Israel synagogue on Oxford Street stated that the unsettling graffiti was discovered on Sunday morning.

The Shaar Shalom synagogue, a few blocks away, also had a swastika at its entrance on Sunday morning, as reported by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

Kerzner expressed particular concern about the vandalism at his synagogue, as it is suspected to have occurred while worshippers were inside for a Saturday evening service.

He emphasized that this incident marks a troubling development for the city.

“This is the first time we’ve encountered this in Halifax,” he stated. “However, this escalation is worrisome for the Jewish community.”

The graffiti at Beth Israel also made mention of Jews and the 9/11 tragedy.

“It’s clear antisemitism, a pure hatred towards Jews,” Kerzner affirmed.

Rabbi Gary Karlin of Shaar Shalom shared that he is deeply troubled but not surprised by the defacement.

“I have witnessed similar incidents across Canada in the past two years… I am apprehensive about the direction this is taking,” he commented.

Kerzner noted a possible link between the vandalism and the recent rise in local tensions and protests.

The occurrences followed days of peaceful protests in the city against Israeli involvement in the Davis Cup tennis tournament.

He confirmed that the incident has been reported to the police and their hate crime unit.

Cleanup of the building will commence once the police conclude their on-site investigation, he added.

By Sunday afternoon, Shaar Shalom synagogue had already cleaned up their exterior sign.

Despite the vandalism, Kerzner highlighted the community’s strength.

“We take pride in our Jewish identity… this will not deter us,” he declared. “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 increasing frequency, including a violent event at an Ottawa grocery store in August.

“If we become complacent, the situation will worsen,” he warned.

“It is crucial for our political leaders to unequivocally oppose this and offer concrete solutions to enhance community safety,” he added.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston condemned the antisemitic graffiti targeting synagogues 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 the synagogues and three more instances on nearby sidewalks.

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

“I want to emphasize that hatred will not be tolerated in Halifax Regional Municipality,” MacLean asserted in the statement.

“Our right to free speech does not equate to spreading hate in our society.”