Toronto (September 21, 2026) – As Yom Kippur comes to a close, Canada’s Jewish community is devastated by the shooting at Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, which has left Const. Jeff Smith of the Belleville Police Service in critical but stable condition. Const. Smith was stationed outside the synagogue to help protect Jewish worshippers gathered for Kol Nidre when, according to the SIU, a man armed with a shotgun opened fire. Const. Smith returned fire, heroically putting himself in harm’s way to protect those gathered inside.

No Jewish community should ever have to take cover inside a synagogue as gunfire erupts outside. No congregation should be forced to cancel Yom Kippur services because its place of worship has become a crime scene. And no Canadian should accept as normal a reality in which Jewish communities require armed protection simply to gather in prayer.

“This is not a wake-up call. Canadian Jews are sadly wide awake. We know the fear that now comes with gathering openly as Jews, whether at a synagogue, a school or a community centre. We live with it every day," said Michael Levitt, President and CEO of FSWC.

Our hearts are with Const. Smith, his family, his colleagues at the Belleville Police Service and all those praying for his recovery. We are profoundly grateful for his bravery and for the swift response of Belleville Police and all responding law enforcement agencies. We are in touch with Belleville Police and have offered whatever assistance and support FSWC can provide.

The investigation must now determine the full facts and establish exactly what led to this horrific attack.

At a time when Jewish Canadians are already living with heightened fear and anxiety, the image of bullets striking a synagogue during Kol Nidre is devastating. But the Belleville Jewish community is not alone. Jewish communities across Canada stand with them, as must all Canadians who believe that people of faith must be able to gather, worship and live safely and openly.

As we move from Yom Kippur into the year ahead, may the Belleville Jewish community be strengthened by the solidarity surrounding them, may Const. Smith have a full and speedy recovery and may all Jewish communities in Canada be able to gather in peace, safety and dignity.

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