‘We will not be frightened’: Rabbi says as Vancouver’s Jewish community on alert

Vancouver’s Jewish community is on alert Friday after Hamas militants called for a “global day of rage.”

While no specific threats have been made locally, there are extra precautions in place as police step up security around synagogues and community centres.

“We will not be frightened,” said Rabbi Jonathan Infeld of Congregation Beth Israel Vancouver, speaking out against the threats and calls to action on social media.

“Quite frankly, this is nothing new,” he told CityNews. “Yes, because of this ‘day of rage’ we, thank God, have even extra security and I have to say that the VPD has been excellent, they have been tremendous.”

“They really are there to support our synagogue, and to support the entire Jewish community, and to protect us, and to make sure we are secure. We owe them an incredible amount of gratitude.”

Infeld says there is no question people will go about their daily lives Friday and Saturday.

“We will not give in, we will not allow these terrorists to win because we will show up to synagogue as we have continued to do ever since these terrorists have tried to scare us away.”

“The truth is we are extremely well-protected because of the bravery, because of the excellence, because of the care and concern of the Vancouver Police Department. We say thank you to them,” he explained.

Infeld also offers thanks to the Catholic church for standing in solidarity with synagogues.

“We’ve heard, often, silence or moral equivocation from others. Some have stepped forward, yes, and they’ve put out statements saying they are opposed to violence and they are seeking peace — and, of course, we want peace in the Middle East, we want peace in Gaza, we want peace in Israel, we want peace in this world — but, it is important to call out a terrorist for what a terrorist is,” he said.

“I really pray that all of the religious leaders in our community acknowledge what happened on Saturday; acknowledge that this is more than just a time to pray for peace.”

“This is a time to call out terrorists for whom they are, this is a time to call out people who are not just militants but are far worse than that, who are trying to scare and trying to destroy a people because of their religious faith.”

Infeld says it is time for all faith leaders to speak out against antisemitism and terrorism.

“It’s time for people to step forward and to stop cowering in the corner and to be clear about what is really happening here in Vancouver, across the country and even the world.”

–With files from Kier Junos