It began with a simple gesture of support; a bouquet of flowers left at the entrance to the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville by an anonymous Christian family from Picton. It was just before Sabbath services were to begin. The previous sabbath in Israel Hamas terrorists murdered civilian men, woman and children, and took hundreds hostage. Most gruesome of all was the brutal sadistic decapitation of babies. Think 1939 and the Nazi atrocities against the Jews. This Christian family was clearly living their Christian values on their sleeves. They knew that this barbarism was the depths of depravity, targeted once again against the Jews. So this act of support was more than a kind gesture. Much more. It was a statement of defiance. Of saying through an act of kindness that the murder of Jews is to be called out for what it is, confronted, and stamped out. When darkness prevails you shed light. And that is what this anonymous Christian family from Picton did on that day with those flowers lovingly placed at the steps of Jewish worship on the Jewish sabbath.

Turns out they were not alone. St. Thomas Anglican church members also brought flowers, and members of St. Josephs Church joined their Jewish neighbours at the sabbath service on the 20th. And there were more kind acts of support by others.

Hamas and it’s Iranian regime backers may be large and powerful, but right here in our small community through a simple of kindness we said no to the slaughter of Jews.

So to all the church members and that anonymous Christian family from Picton, I say good on you.

Steven J. Schwartz

Consecon