Religion

Ontario Synagogue Shooter Dead

Ontario Synagogue Shooter Dead

Photo: Ian MacAlpine/The Canadain Press

A man drove up in a pick-up truck to the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, Sunday evening during Yom Kippur services and opened fire on an off-duty Belleville Police Service constable working as a security guard there as he sat in his vehicle.

Police say the man, 29-year-old Sean Ward who lived in nearby Quinte West and served in the Canadian armed forces in Alberta, joining in 2017 and leaving in 2022 at the rank of corporal, was hit by return fire from the security guard, and from another off-duty constable working as a security guard who rushed to the scene. The first constable and the shooter were wounded, and the shooter Sean Ward died from his wounds in hospital in Kingston, Ontario, Monday night.

Ward is said to have been discharged from the Canadian military’s Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry division because he refused Covid vaccinations. One military source told the GlobalNEWS.ca news website Ward believed Jews were responsible for the virus, restrictions and vaccinations.

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Sabbath Table to Remember Jewish History Exhibit in Pabradė

Sabbath Table to Remember Jewish History Exhibit in Pabradė

The first Sabbath Table to Remember Jewish History exhibit as part of the Children of the Holocaust: Lighting Up the Shadows of Lithuanian History project took place at the Pabradė Culture Center last week. The exhibit will be a changeable one depending on the decisions and sensibilities of the designers and exhibit item creators. This time the Sabbath table was laden with pomegranates, figs, apples and challa.

Residents of Pabradė in eastern Lithuania, visitors and local students and teachers attended the event. Švenčionys Jewish Community chairman Moshe Shapiro welcomes the attendees, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Sholem Alechem ORT Gymnasium students, moderated by Algis Davidavičius, who discussed local history, memory and modern forms of commemoration. Then visitors learned about Sabbath traditions, sampled traditional dishes and attended a Jewish cloth-dying workshop.

The Sabbath Table to Remember Jewish History exhibition is the fruit of a two-year meaningful journey during which brave and knowledge-thirsty students from Vilnius and Palanga and their teachers dove into live research on local Jewish history. The young people conducted tours, creative workshops, celebrated Purim and Sabbath together, marked commemorative dates, visited synagogue and spoke with representatives from the Palanga, Vilnius, Darbėn and Israeli Jewish communities.

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Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 7:28 P.M. on Friday, September 18, and concludes at 8:19 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Sabbath candles should be lit and prayers recited by or before 7:10 P.M. and completed before sunset at 7:28 P.M. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on Sunday. This Wednesday, September 23, is the Day of Remembrance of Lithuanian Jewish Victims of Genocide, a commemorative day on the Lithuanian calendar.

Yom Kippur at the Choral Synagogue

Yom Kippur at the Choral Synagogue

Yom Kippur starts Sunday evening. It is considered the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar. The Choral Synagogue at Pylimo street no. 39 in Vilnius will host Yom Kippur services. G’mar khatima tova, May your name be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Schedule:

September 20

5:45 P.M. Mincha
6:00-6:45 P.M. Feast before fast
6:45-7:05 P.M. Candle lighting and beginning of fast
7:00 P.M. Kol nidre

September 21

10:00 A.M. Shacharit
12:15 P.M. Yizkor
6:00 P.M. Mincha
7:00 P.M. Ne’ila prayers, shofar and closing prayers
8:14 P.M. End of fast, break-fast meal

Rosh Hashanah at the Panevėžys Jewish Community

Rosh Hashanah at the Panevėžys Jewish Community

A gathering of members of the Panevėžys Jewish Community and family, friends and guests celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, last week at the Community building in the northern Lithuanian city with traditional dishes prepared by members. This year the start of Rosh Hashanah coincided with the onset of Sabbath and the celebration began with the lighting of candles and intonation of prayers.

Community member Nerijus Jakštonis, an accomplished trumpet musician, blew a small shofar horn, seen in photographs below. Panevėžys Jewish Community chairman Gennady Kofman spoke about what the holiday means and the ten-day period before Yom Kippur for self-reflection, taking responsibility for one’s past and future actions and reconciliation.

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Rosh Hashanah Greetings from Rebbe Herschel Gluck

Rosh Hashanah Greetings from Rebbe Herschel Gluck

B”H

This Friday–the 11th of September–evening, at sunset when Rosh Ha’Shonoh begins, we usher in a New Year.

In Judaism a New Year is not just a new cycle of time, it represents a unique, unparalleled, new spiritual entity, with unprecedented fresh opportunities for each and every one of us. As reflected in our prayers on Rosh Ha’Shonoh ” …This day is the Beginning of Your work” (actions). This year in our calendar is 5787. 87 is the numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word for fine-gold “poz” (pei zayin), reminding us that this year we have an exceptional golden opportunity, for positive, constructive change and transformation.

The holy Master of the Good Name Rebbe Yisroel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), teaches us that nothing in the world, even the seemingly most insignificant thing, is random. Everything without exception is Guided by Divine Particular Providence. It follows that everything we see or hear in the world, contains a moral and spiritual lesson for us, also as an individual. It follows, that the fact that Rosh Ha’Shonoh this year begins on and follows “11th of September” must be communicating a timely inspirational teaching and life-lesson to us. “11th of September” reminds us of, and represents, destruction. Rosh Ha’Shonoh is about “Binyan Ha’Malchus,” Building a new and fresh, better world.

However deep the destruction might be, we can rebuild, even better.

This coming year we can and need to utilize the new golden opportunities that are being presented to us, wisely, to build and construct brick by brick, a better self, and a better world for Everyone.

With my very best wishes for a Good, Sweet and Meaningful New Year!
Kesivoh V’Chasimoh Tovoh!
Gut Shabbes! Gut Yom Tov! Shabbat Shalom! Chag Sameach!

Presidential Message on Rosh Hashanah

Presidential Message on Rosh Hashanah

The White House, September 11, 2026

Melania and I send our warmest greetings to the entire Jewish community on Rosh Hashanah—the Jewish New Year and the first of the High Holy Days.

The Jewish community around the world marks the anniversary of when the Almighty created Adam and Eve and the story of humanity began. These two days open a solemn season of prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal in preparation for Yom Kippur.

My Administration reaffirms our steadfast commitment to ushering in a historic renewal of faith across our country, eliminating the scourge of anti-Semitism, and defending the sacred right of religious liberty for every single American.

May you be inscribed in the Book of Life. Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year!

Natalja Cheifec on Yom Kippur

Natalja Cheifec on Yom Kippur

Natalja Cheifec continues her internet lecture series and discussion club with a lecture on Yom Kippur this Thursday evening.

Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, one of the most important Jewish holidays, celebrated on the tenth day of Tishrei following ten days of repentance after Rosh Hashanah. It is a day of fasting, prayer and reflection on the year past and the year to come, seeking forgiveness for oneself and others. On this day the Book of Life is opened where entries began on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on our fates for the next year.

To receive zoom credentials and participate, click here.

Time: 6:00 P.M., Thursday, September 17
Place: internet

Incident at Choral Synagogue in Vilnius

Incident at Choral Synagogue in Vilnius

A serious incident has occurred at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue involving Rabbi Sholom Ber Krinsky and a synagogue security guard on the morning of September 14.

During the Jewish High Holy Days the synagogue is open for prayer and religious services only and does not receive tourists. A notice to this effect is posted at the synagogue entrance, and clear instructions have been given to security personnel on duty there.

The difficult decision to restrict access to the synagogue during the Jewish High Holy Days was made because of serious security concerns. The Community received a security alert from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) concerning a person active in online neo-Nazi groups who made explicit threats to burn down a synagogue and kill Jews and indicated he had access to a firearm. The alert dated August 28, 2026 also noted references to Lithuania, including references to Vilnius. The information was provided to the Community as a potential threat.

We understand Rabbi Krinsky attempted to bring a group of visitors onto synagogue premises despite clearly stated and clearly posted security restrictions. Chabad Lubavitch is an independent organization operating in Lithuania. It is separate from the Lithuanian Jewish Community (LJC) and is not a member organization of the LJC. Rabbi Krinsky is the director of Chabad Lubavitch in Lithuania while also conducting services at the Choral Synagogue in Vilnius.

When Rabbi Krinsky attempted to bring a group of visitors through the outer security gate, a confrontation ensued, which became physical. Rabbi Krinsky, one of the visitors and a security guard all reported being physically assaulted.

The LJC deeply regrets this incident. Access restrictions must be enforced appropriately and professionally to ensure the safety of the synagogue and worshipers.

The LJC is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities and we will undertake our own review of the incident, including a full review of CCTV footage, statements from those involved or just present and other evidence, to understand what happened and to prevent such things from happening in the future. We will review our security protocols as well in consultation with the European Jewish Congress.

The LJC is committed to the safety and security of the Jewish community for allowing Jews in Lithuania to express and practice their Judaism as they desire and see fit.

Sabbath Times

Sabbath Times

The Sabbath begins at 7:46 P.M. on Friday, September 11, and concludes at 8:38 P.M. on Saturday in the Vilnius region. Sabbath and Rosh Hashanah candles should be lit and prayers recited by or before 7:28 P.M. and completed before sunset at 7:46 P.M. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday; Sabbath rules apply.

New Year’s Greeting

New Year’s Greeting

Dear members of the Lithuanian Jewish Community and friends,

As we near Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, I want to wish you and your loved ones shana tova u’metuku, a happy and sweet new year!

Rosh Hashanah is not just the start of a new year, it’s a time reflect, to look back on the foregoing year, to take stock of what we’ve achieved and to look forward to the future in hope. It’s the time when we remember how important communication, friendship, being together and caring for one another is.

The Jewish prayer says: “He who makes peace in his high holy places, may he bring peace upon us, and upon all Israel.” Let these words usher us into the year 5787.

I wish the New Year brings health, peace, goodness and abundance to your house, and that there would be no lack of sincerity, warmth and warm moments. May our community remain strong and united, and may none of us lack faith and hope in a better future.

May 5787 be safer, more peaceful and full of good works, beautiful encounters and reasons to smile.

A good, sweet and meaningful New Year!
Shana tova u’metuku!

Faina Kukliansky, chairwoman
Lithuanian Jewish Community

Rosh Hashanah at Vilna Gaon

Rosh Hashanah at Vilna Gaon

Lithuanian Jewish Community chairwoman Faina Kukliansky, members of the regional Jewish communities, the Israeli ambassador to Lithuania and embassy staff and others celebrated the Jewish New Year this week at the Vilna Gaon Jewish History Museum in Vilnius. Happy 5787.