The president of a Belleville synagogue that was recently targeted in a shooting incident woke up to a disturbing scene on Thursday morning. Norman Weddum discovered antisemitic flyers had been distributed not only to the synagogue but also to the surrounding neighborhoods. These flyers, with messages blaming Jewish people for various issues, were found throughout the city’s east end, indicating a widespread distribution that likely involved more than one person.
Weddum expressed his concerns about the hateful messages and the impact they have, especially coming so soon after the thwarted mass shooting at the Sons of Jacob synagogue on Sept. 20 during Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. The attacker, 29-year-old Sean Ward, had intended a mass killing but was stopped by police. The officer wounded in the incident, Const. Jeff Smith, is undergoing multiple surgeries, while Ward succumbed to his injuries the next day.
Authorities are actively investigating the distribution of the antisemitic flyers, and the community is rallying together in the face of these disturbing events. Despite the trauma experienced, the synagogue has resumed some services and is determined to continue with their activities. The incident has prompted a review of security measures at Jewish institutions, underlining the importance of vigilance and solidarity in the face of such threats.
