Shock, resilience at Montreal vigil for victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

In a cold rain Sunday, members of Montreal's Jewish community huddled outside the city's Holocaust Museum, shocked by the deadly shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 dead, but also refusing to give into fear.

The shooting, in which six people were injured as well, is being called the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent U.S. history.

Montreal police have stepped up patrols aroundsynagogues since Saturday's attack. Jewish community leaders are urging their members to take precautions.

ClarisHarbonnearly didn't attend Sunday's vigil at the Holocaust Museum.But shechose instead to bring her three-year-old son,Moshe, and teach him about the importance of difference.

"I was afraid. I said, 'No.' That's exactly what that assault on difference is supposed to bring: fear,"Harbonsaid.

The Jewish community was joined at the vigil by members of various faiths, standing by each other in a show of solidarity.

TaliIoselevich, who is Jewish, broke into tears when they saw theirMuslim friend,SarahAbdelshamy, in the crowd.

"I'm extremely lucky to be surrounded by people who consistently show up to marches and protests to opposeracism,"Ioselevichsaid,arm linked withAbdelshamy's.

Abdelshamysaid extending support is the best type of solidarity to offer, especially between communities.

"I think it's important in times like these for communities to stand together and really show that we are together and that we are indivisible," she added.

ForMusabbirAlam, a Montreal imam,Saturday's events brought back memories of the Quebec City mosque shooting in January of 2017.

"All houses of worship are sacred," saidAlam, who is the co-founder of the Canadian Muslim Alliance. "We all share common faiths. This is something we didn't expect to happen."

He said showing up at the vigil was the least he could do.

"This is the time that all the ethnic minorities have to come together,"Alamsaid.

Senseless hatred, senseless good

When news of the shooting broke Saturday morning,RabbiYisroelBernathinterrupted his Sabbath service atChabadNDGto offer prayers for the victims.

"Canada and the U.S. have always been a safe place,"Bernathsaid Sunday. "Is this going to change the way we have to act in North America?"

But he also stressed the need to respond to the Pittsburgh attack with openness and inclusion.

"We can't allow senseless hatred to change the course of our lives,"Bernathsaid in an interview with CBCMontreal'sAll in a Weekend. "I think [the events are] a call to action a call to increase goodness and kindness in the world.

"If there's senseless hatred, there must be senseless good as well."

Quebec PremierFranoisLegaultand Montreal MayorValriePlanteexpressed their condolences on Twitter,as didseveral Montreal-based Jewish organizations.

More vigils planned

Another vigil organized by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is taking place Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation onMackleRoad inCteSaint-Luc.

Martin Sampson, a spokesperson for theCIJA, said everyone needs to help fightanti-Semitismin order to ensure that hatred does not spread.

"We have to understand thatanti-Semitism, though the main brunt of it is borne by the Jewish community, is not a Jewish problem," Sampson added.

In addition, the Jewish community in Quebec City will hold a vigil next Sunday, in collaboration with the Quebec Mosque.