Hate crime: Tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue – The Jewish community responds (Episode 1803)

Hate crime: Tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue – The Jewish community responds (Episode 1803)

A mass shooting at the a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Sabbath will never be the same at the Tree of Life synagogue after 11 innocent people were gunned down at a baby naming ceremony.

The gunman, hellbent on “killing Jews”, is charged with 29 different counts including hate crime.

The Jewish community responds by declaring “faith, hope, dignity and respect” in the face of hate.

This week on Context:

Avi Benlolo from the Simon Wiesenthal Center discusses the worrying trend of anti-Semitism on the rise in Canada.

Rabbi Jordan Cohen experienced anti-Semitism first hand. He tells us about his synagogue in Hamilton receiving threatening hate mail just 8 months ago.

Israel stands in solidarity as they mourn the loss of their Jewish friends. We check in with our Jerusalem correspondent Marney Blom on what the mood is in Israel after this deadly attack.

Plus, is this synagogue shooting an example of an attack against religious freedom? We speak with Glenn Smith from Christian Direction on freedom of religion in Quebec after the deadly mosque attack nearly two years ago, and the new legislation that would ban certain public service workers from wearing religious symbols.

And Pastor Paul Buford reflects on the tragic shooting at a Baptist church in his own community of Sutherland Springs, Texas nearly a year ago.

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