Montreal attack aftermath: 'Every single one of us is a moving target'

“Let’s get the patrols put in place, let’s have it happen! Do something that’s going to address the situation. Do something that will make the community feel safer!” That’s the message from Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of Montreal’s Jewish Community Council, in the wake of a “heinous” attack on a haredi man on Aug. 8 in a public park. The incident, which was captured by a bystander on video, shows what Jewish leaders have called a “stark and painful illustration of the vulnerability Jewish Montrealers face today.” Officials told The CJN the visibly Jewish victim, 32, was with his three young daughters in the Park Extension area of the city when he had an encounter with a lone man carrying a red grocery bag. Water was splashed on one or both of the men, although it remains unclear what prompted the interaction. The video shows the suspect punching the man five or six times, on the ground, with terrified children clinging to their father’s arms. The suspect then left the park. Montreal police are searching for the suspect. The victim, who lives with his family in the area, suffered a broken nose and bruises to the face, and is reportedly traumatized, as are the young girls. He was treated in hospital and is now recovering at home. On today’s episode of The CJN’s North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner hears more about the attack from Mayer Feig, of the Quebec Council of Hasidic Jews, who knows the victim and first posted the video to social media; and also from Rabbi Saul Emanuel, the executive director of Montreal’s Jewish Community Council, which represents at least 80 haredi congregations and schools.

Related links

• Learn why the Israel-Hamas conflict since 2023 has contributed to hundreds of protests and 577 hate crimes or hate incidents in Montreal, in The CJN.
• Read more about reaction to Friday’s attack on a Montreal Haredi man with his daughters, in The CJN.

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner)
• Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer)
• Music: Bret Higgins

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