World · North America · 1 hr ago
Belleville synagogue members seek more security funding after shooting
Members of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, want more security funding after a gunman opened fire outside their place of worship on Sept.
20.
Shima Vigodda, the synagogue’s vice-president, was there for a Yom Kippur service and said the attack left the community shaken.
Police said the gunman had weapons, ammunition and gasoline, and could have caused mass casualties if two officers had not stopped him.
The federal Canada Community Security Program can provide up to $5 million for security improvements, but applicants must pay 30 per cent of the costs.
The synagogue says it needs bulletproof windows, a safe room and security staff, but cannot afford the required contribution, so community members are asking the government to waive it.
They are also calling for more investment in preventing radicalization and hate-motivated attacks.
Members of Belleville’s Sons of Jacob Synagogue are asking the federal government for more support for community safety after a hate-motivated shooting outside their place of worship.
Shima Vigodda, a synagogue vice-president who survived the attack, said congregants feel uncomfortable returning without significant safety measures.
The synagogue hopes to install bulletproof windows, build a safe room and hire security personnel.
The Canada Community Security Program offers up to $5 million for security enhancements but requires applicants to cover 30 per cent of costs.
Noah Shack of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs urged the government to waive that contribution and invest in counter-radicalization.
- Who
- Members of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue, including survivor and vice-president Shima Vigodda, and Noah Shack of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.
- What
- They are calling for more federal support for community safety and prevention programs after a shooting outside the synagogue.
- When
- The attack took place on Sept. 20. The calls for support were made on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.
- Where
- The shooting was outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario; the news conference was on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
- Why
- Congregants feel unsafe returning without significant security measures, which the synagogue says it cannot afford on its own.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Vigodda said the synagogue had considered broken windows and burglar alarms its main security concerns before the attack.
A gunman carried out a hate-motivated shooting outside the synagogue as congregants marked Yom Kippur.
Synagogue members and supporters called for more community safety funding at a news conference on Parliament Hill.
- Synagogue
- Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Belleville, Ontario
- Attack date
- Sept. 20
- Federal program
- Canada Community Security Program
- Program funding
- Up to $5 million; applicants cover 30 per cent of costs
- Proposed security measures
- Bulletproof glass, a safe room and security personnel
3 sources
What people are saying
Hearing the shots, yelling for people to get down, hearing the glass breaking and screams, watching parents hold their children ... I cannot begin to tell you what we as a community in Canada, as a country, very nearly lost that evening.
If you had asked us what we thought our security needs were on Sept. 19, before this all unfolded, what we would have told you is that our priorities were replacing broken windows and installing burglar alarms.
Belleville should be the final wake-up call.