Belleville synagogue raising funds to rebuild as Jewish leaders remain committed to safety - National Post

Bullets holes are seen in a window at the Sons of Jacob synagogue in Belleville, Ont., after a shooting on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. Photo by SuppliedArticle contentJewish leaders across Canada remain committed to safety after a shooting outside a synagogue in Belleville, Ont. left a police officer injured.

The suspect of the Sept. 20 shooting — which occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism — died Tuesday after succumbing to his injuries. He was identified as 29-year-old Sean Ward from Quinte West. The officer, Const. Jeff Smith, is in stable condition but “continues to face a significant road to recovery,” according to Belleville police’s Deputy Chief Sheri Meeks. A GoFundMe set up for Smith by Toronto’s Jewish community has reached more than $360,000.

None of the roughly 25 congregants inside the synagogue were injured.

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Belleville police were only assigned to the synagogue because congregants had reported a suspicious vehicle parked outside a week earlier, according to Global News.

In an update from the Belleville synagogue, Sons of Jacob, shared with National Post on Wednesday, it referred to the shooting as a “targeted attack against Jews gathering together to pray and be in community.”

Police continue to investigate a shooting outside of Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Tuesday September 22, 2026. Photo by Peter J Thompson/National PostArticle content“Yom Kippur asks us to confront what is broken and consider how we can repair it,” the update said. “This week, our community is living that teaching in a very real way.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for repairs and security at the synagogue.

Rabbi Carnie Rose from the Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Winnipeg said what occurred in Belleville was a “very unfortunate situation” and he has been in talks with police.

Shaarey Zedek was the target of antisemitic graffiti in 2025 and in early 2026.

A synagogue in Winnipeg was vandalized with red swastikas in the early hours of Jan. 2, 2026. Police are investigating. Photo by HandoutArticle content“The police have been outstanding, wonderful,” he said, as have local politicians. Many safety measures are being taken, he said, although he did not want to cite specific details out of caution.

He said it was sad that the community’s money had to be spent on security rather than education or charitable work, but it is a necessity at this time.