Rabbi warns of hatred

PAT JOHNSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

After three days of fasting, Rabbi Ross Singer headed to the Vancouver Art Gallery in the late afternoon of March 4 where, joined by about 100 supporters, many of them Christian activists holding handmade signs, he made an impassioned plea against the increasing visibility of anti-Semitism in the world.

Singer, spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarey Tefilah, said he was moved to action after the synagogue bombings in Tunisia and Turkey. Using a bullhorn, he read out some of the names of those killed in terror attacks, then led the crowd in songs and prayer.

"We need to make a statement that we as a Jewish community are in pain," Singer said.

Participants handed out leaflets to passers-by listing some recent terrorism acts against Jewishly identified institutions in Europe, North America and the Middle East. Singer also collected funds that he will send to help rebuild the damaged synagogues of Turkey.

"Part of the reason we are here this afternoon is so that we not become calloused, that we not forget," he said, making reference to Yechezkel Goldberg, a Canadian-Israeli killed just over a month ago in a Jerusalem terror attack.

But while Singer's rally attracted supporters from the Jewish and Christian communities, raising visibility among downtown crowds at the end of the business day, some participants asked why the rally had not attracted far more members of the local Jewish community.

"It saddens me that people can't stand up and be seen and be counted," said Richmond resident Ginny Soronow, who attended the rally. "It sends the message to Vancouver that the Jewish community here is either very miniscule or totally apathetic."

Pat Johnson is a native Vancouverite, a journalist and commentator.

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