Nestled in the small town of Washago, Ontario, a couple found themselves targeted in an act of hatred that has left the denizens of this peaceful community horrified. Ryan Merovitz and his spouse, who had been residents here for over eight years, were taken aback to discover their home marred with anti-Semitic graffiti and a threatening letter left for them.
As Merovitz confessed, thoughts of worst-case scenarios plague his nights now. Fearful musings of fire and the escape of his loved ones has become a cause for anxiety. The seeds of this fear were sown when the couple noticed two unidentified men lurking on their property in the early part of October, the same men who returned a few weeks later.
In an act of blatant intrusion, one of the men was spotted peering into their home via a window, while the other was caught taking pictures of the mezuzah on the couple’s door—a small piece of parchment inscribed with religious text and indicative of their faith. Busted, the two men retreated hastily when they noticed they had been seen.
The series of shocking incidents further escalated this past Saturday when the couple returned home to find their garage door and property abstracted with derogatory graffiti. Only days later, on Tuesday, another incident of anti-Semitic messages was reported to the local police.
In an intimidating display, a hand-written message in black ink was taped to the couple’s garbage bin. The shocking missive read, “You and your Jewish family are going to die!” Merovitz expressed his distress, saying he never thought such a thing could happen in a small-town setting.
The violent act also generated disgust from the local community with members expressing their aversion and stand against this act. Last month, in response to similar threats of violence, the Ontario Police had reassured inhabitants of their focus on safety and the maintenance of well-being in neighborhoods.
In a statement following the incident, the police affirmed their seriousness in dealing with hate-motivated crimes, stressing their commitment to not allow such incidents to go unchecked. Promising thorough investigations, Inspector Coyer Yateman strongly discouraged such acts and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Merovitz, for his part, questioned the tendency of perpetrators to not distinguish between a conflict happening thousands of miles away and a family residing in a small town with no association to it. Despite the increasing threats, the couple stand resolute, vowing to keep their mezuzah on their front door, refusing to bow down to fear or intimidation. In a show of community camaraderie, the couple plans to host a neighborhood barbecue as a token of appreciation for the support they have received since the incident.
