21/09/2026
A heart felt message from our Mohawk brother, Barry Maracle.
“These Are Our Neighbours
My heart is deeply grieved this morning and this one hits incredibly close to home.
I live only a couple of blocks from the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville with my Family for over 24 years.
This isn’t something happening somewhere far away. This happened in my neighbourhood, in a place I drive past and a community that is part of our community.
Last night, as Jewish families gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year, gunfire erupted outside their place of worship.
Approximately 25 people were gathered inside. A Belleville police officer and another man were wounded, and the synagogue itself was struck by gunfire.
As I found myself praying throughout the night and then thinking about everything this morning, knowing this was just blocks away, I can’t simply treat this as another headline.
These are our neighbours.
And Jewish people should NEVER have to be afraid to walk into a synagogue in Belleville, or anywhere in Canada.
Whatever the investigation ultimately establishes about the motive and circumstances of this shooting, hatred and antisemitism must never be allowed to find a comfortable home among us.
Today I’m praying for the congregation of Sons of Jacob, for those who have been traumatized and one of our Police Officers shot and his family, and for Jewish families here in Belleville and across Canada.
As Christians we are called by God to,“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:6
To my Jewish neighbours: you are not alone.
I am deeply sorry for what you have been walking through. We stand with you. And we are praying for you.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bring healing, protection and peace.
Martin Luther King Jr. quotes, “You can’t drive out hate with hate! Hate must driven out by love.
So today, can we come together and love our neighbours as ourselves, beginning with joining me in pray for our Jewish neighbours today?
Much Love and great Mercies on us all,
Barry Maracle”