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Several Jewish schools have increased security protocols, adding more private guards, and in some cases cancelling outdoor recess periods for fear that schoolyards could be targeted.
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In 29 years, Torzorty Friedman said she never felt unsafe walking through the streets of Montreal, but that has changed in the last week.
“I think it’s not so safe now,” said Friedman, a mother of three, standing on Bernard Ave. where Outremont meets Mile End. “Also, when I walk on the street, I see people and I wonder what they’re thinking.”
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On Monday, police squad cars and private security agents were seen stationed in front of several Jewish schools and synagogues around the city after violent incidents.
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Among the recent events:
The incidents led Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante to declare Sunday that the city’s Jewish community is under attack, and to appeal for peace.
Friedman sends her children to a Jewish school near her home, and she is concerned about the recent escalation.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” she said. “It doesn’t make sense to target (anyone) here.”
Several Jewish schools have increased security protocols, adding more private guards, and in some cases cancelling outdoor recess periods for fear that schoolyards could be targeted.
At the Cavendish Mall Monday, several area residents said they have been on edge.
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“I am the only gentile in my whole building, but it’s terrible,” said Sue Nielsen, 72, as she entered the Côte-St-Luc mall Monday morning. “We’re concerned for our safety in our condo building. Everyone is tense, worried. I’m organizing a committee to put in more surveillance cameras, because I don’t want swastikas or anything going on the building.
“To be quite honest, I rarely shop here, because it’s a perfect target. It’s in the back of your mind whenever you’re here.”
Rabbi Benyamin Bresinger, the director of the Chabad Lifeline non-profit addiction centre in Côte-des-Neiges, lives right near the Talmud Torah school that was shot at last week. Standing outside the mall Monday, he said the attacks should spur the community to come closer together and to support one another.
“There has always been hate and there has always been darkness, and our response over thousands of years has been to bring out the light,” Bresinger said. “I’m definitely concerned that hatred gets an upper hand, but I’m confident that ultimately good is prevailing. God is going to take care of things one way or another, so we have to do our part.”
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Some are defiant in the face of the anti-Jewish attacks.
“I’m not scared at all,” said Evelyne Finn, 87. “We have to go about our lives as normal and stand up for ourselves. Unfortunately we need more protection, but you can’t avoid Jewish functions, Jewish places, Jewish restaurants.”
Finn, who has children and grandchildren in the city, said she is angry that Jewish schools were targeted.
“Antisemitism has been here for centuries, decades. It’s ongoing,” she said. “It’s unbelievable why they use us as a scapegoat.
“It’s been antisemitism since time immemorial.”
Michael Ohana, who was dropping off his children at Medicoff-Schneiderman Elementary School, attached to Yeshiva Gedola, said he refused to be ruled by fear in light of the attacks.
“We are a resilient people,” he said. “We hope it won’t escalate, but we stand strong. It’s sad to see cops around the school. It’s a really sad state of affairs for all of Montreal, and all of Montreal has to be deeply saddened by this sort of act. It’s such a lowly act.”
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