In the midst of tragedy, as we grapple with the unthinkable, there are still those moments of kindness and hope to give us solace.
Yesterday, we came to grips with the reality of the shooting that happened at and around the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in east-end Belleville on Sunday night.
The day was spent learning details of the investigation, trying to imagine the fear of the congregants diving for cover when they should have been safe in their place of faith and worship, and watching a battling display of poor media ethics and coverage from too many sectors to count.
Then, through the noise and the shock and the latent despair, small rays of hope somehow shone through.
We heard of Constable Jeff Smith who put his life on the line and stood between a hail of gunfire and two dozen people gathered for worship.
We learned about the conversations between the synagogue and the Belleville Police Service that led to his assignment to the area, the second officer who helped stop the attack, and the help of Kingston Police at working together to provide more security on site and at places of worship.
We heard the countless messages online from every corner of the Quinte Region condemning the shooting and then we saw people gather with no official organizer last night at Market Square to show they care, and that we stand behind our local Jewish community.
In the middle of it all, on both nights, we heard President of the Sons of Jacob Congregation Norm Weddum stand tall and say “This will not stop us!”
When the darkness comes, let us be thankful we have these lights to show us the way.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
