In March of 2024 two synagogues in Vaughan were targeted for aggressive nuisance protests that took a great emotional and psychological toll on the local community and came at a heavy cost to the municipality and its law enforcement resources.  The Lions of Judah (#theLOJ ) saw the  dangers and harm these incidents cause and the need for immediate action to improve community preparedness.

The LOJ worked closely with synagogue leadership, licensed security assets, legal professionals and local law enforcement to provide effective safety solutions before, during and after the incident with a goal of not just neutralizing the harm from the events of the day but finding a path to an effective enforceable deterrent for the future.

That solution took shape in the development and adoption of a bylaw designed to protect vulnerable infrastructure with a buffer zone around the location’s premises within which nuisance demonstrations are prohibited.  This would effectively allow communities unimpeded access to the safe spaces they rely on without being targeted for harassment and hate.

These protections are now  more commonly known as ‘Bubble Zones’ and the LOJ has been working tirelessly to create awareness and help more municipalities find their way to adopting Bubble Zones to protect their citizens.  In May of 2025 the LOJ supported the successful adoption of Bubble Zones in Oakville and Ottawa moving towards drafting a by law for themselves as well.

To help streamline our efforts, help more communities find their voice on the matter and support policy makers in having the confidence of clarity to pursue bubble zones as the prudent, reasonable and responsible path to protecting their citizens the LOJ developed a resource and amplification platform: www.BubbleZones.ca

The LOJ thanks City of Vaughan’s Mayor Steven Del Duca, City of Oakville’s Mayor Burton and the Cities of Brampton, Calgary and Ottawa for demonstrating tremendous leadership and vision in making these protections available for their citizens.

We welcome policy makers and community leaders to reach out to discuss how we can continue to collectively do better in this moment and improve preparedness for the future.

To contact #theLOJ please email us:  hello@lionsofjudah.org