CTV Montreal and COLLive
Photos: Yanky Pollak
More than 1,000 people gathered at the Montreal Torah Centre on Monday to honor the woman who was killed defending a rabbi at a synagogue in San Diego.
The vigil for Lori Kaye was a major show of achdus, a joint event co-hosted by Chabad of Montreal, The Jewish Community Council (Vaad Hair), the Federation CJA, RCC, and Grand Rabbinate of Quebec.
The event, hosted at the Montreal Torah Center under heavy security, brought together Jews of all types and communities in response to the terrible events that took place at Chabad of Poway on Shabbos, the last day of Pesach.
The event was also attended by Rabbis from across the city, elected officials and dignitaries, including Israel’s Consul General.
The event was emceed by Rabbi Moshe New, co-director of the Montreal Torah Center, and addressed by Rabbi Berel Mockin, Regional director of Chabad Lubavitch of Quebec, HoRav Yochanan Vosner, Skverer Dayan, HoRav Yonasan Binyomin Veiss, Chief Rabbi of Montreal, Rabbi David Sabbah, Chief Rabbi of Quebec, Rabbi Mordechai Zeitz, Rabbi Emeritus of Cong. Beth Tikvah, Mr. David Amiel, President, Federation CJA, Rabbi Saul Emanuel, Director, Jewish Community Council (Vaad Hair), and Rabbi Mark Fishman, Rabbi, Cong. Beth Tikvah.
Cantor Rabbi Moshe Shur offered a stirring prayer in memory of Lori, and a Mi Shebeirach in her memory was recited by Rabbi Mark Fishman.
Poway Shliach Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein addressed the vigil in Montreal via videoconference, telling them what had happened and explaining how events unfolded.
He said he was preparing for the service when he heard a loud sound, then turned around to see a young man.
A man armed with an assault rifle had walked into the synagogue and began firing at the rabbi when Kaye, 60, jumped in front of the gunman.
Rabbi Goldstein was shot in the hands and lost a finger, while Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz suffered shrapnel wounds.
Kaye was killed instantly. The gunman fled when his weapon jammed. Funeral services for Kaye took place Monday and she was remembered as a woman whose mission was to help others enjoy life.
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