Orthodox Jews grieve outside the Jerusalem synagogue targeted in yesterday's terror attack. Photo: Twitter

Among the several people wounded in yesterday’s terrorist atrocity at a synagogue in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood was a Canadian citizen, named as Howie Chaim Rothman.

Canadian broadcaster CBC reported that Rothman was “in a serious condition” from wounds sustained during the attack, in which which two Palestinian terrorists utilized knives, axes and a gun against terrified worshippers.

According to a relative speaking to Canada’s National Post, Rothman is suffering an “enormous amount of brain damage” after being struck in the head with a meat cleaver.

Waterloo newspaper The Record, which described Rothman as a “Canadian who moved to Israel to pursue his devout faith 30 years ago,” spoke with his sister, Shelley Rothman-Benhaim, about his current grave condition:

Shelley Rothman-Benhaim said her brother Howie Chaim Rotman suffered multiple stab wounds when two Palestinian cousins stormed into his local temple wielding meat cleavers, knives and a gun…

Rothman-Benhaim said that her brother underwent surgeries on his head, eyes and arms Tuesday and is currently in a medically induced coma in a Jerusalem hospital.

The 54-year-old father of 10 welcomed his first grandchild just last month, she said, adding Rotman’s prognosis likely won’t be known for the next two or three days.

“It’s very, very serious,” Rothman-Benhaim said in a telephone interview from her home in Montreal. “People are praying for him around the clock, and that’s what we’re asking people to do is to pray.”

Rotman was born in Toronto, but relocated to Israel in his early 20’s in order to more fully embrace his faith.

The man known as Howie Rothman in Canada reverted to his Hebrew name of Chaim Rotman once established in Jerusalem, where his sister said he married and worked as an auditor for the Israeli government.

She said his move was driven by his love of Israel and desire to study more Judaism and follow commandments that can only be accomplished in the Holy Land.

The synagogue where the attack unfolded was just metres from Rotman’s home, Rothman-Benhaim said, adding most of the victims were his fellow regular worshippers.