Irvine’s Beth Jacob Synagogue was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti that stated “F*** Jews.”
Here’s a photo of the graffiti, which was discovered on the morning of Oct. 31 and has since been painted over:
Orthodox synagogue vandalized in Irvine last night. pic.twitter.com/968ANE4jwS
— Kenneth Stahl 🌇 (@kookie13) October 31, 2018
Law enforcement officials believe that the graffiti occurred overnight and the perpetrator is a male who was wearing a hoodie, mask and sunglasses.
“It’s very upsetting,” Beth Jacob President Allen Berezovsky told CBS Los Angeles. “My family and I came to this country from the Soviet Union and we escaped this kind of behavior and this kind of anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe, and to find it here in Irvine is unbelievable.”
WATCH: Irvine synagogue vandalized with 'offensive, anti-Semitic graffiti' by suspect in hoodie, mask, and sunglasses pic.twitter.com/zwwoG7S3uD
— KCAL News (@CBSLA) October 31, 2018
Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel told ABC7, “This entire community is afraid after this hateful act… we’re doing everything we can to respond.”
“This entire community is afraid after this hateful act… we’re doing everything we can to respond.” @IrvinePolice Chief Mike Hamel. @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/qLg3bJF80K
— Greg Lee (@GregLeeKTVU) October 31, 2018
Beth Jacob Rabbi Yisroel Ciner told City News Service that his congregation “is a resilient group.”
“We’re not going to let some fanatic affect us,” Ciner said.
Simon Wiesenthal Center Founder and Dean Rabbi Marvin Hier said in a statement, “Following in the footsteps of the great tragedy that occurred in Pittsburgh, this is another indication that the haters and bigots amongst us have infected our country. Only a sick person and hater would have the nerve to paint a swastika on a synagogue days after the tragedy in Pittsburgh.”
Siamak Kordestani, assistant director of American Jewish Committee (AJC) Los Angeles, said in a statement to the Journal:
“Coming only days after the heinous attack in Pittsburgh, this anti-Semitic vandalism in Irvine should be taken with the utmost seriousness. The cancer of anti-Semitism is spreading across our nation. AJC and the entire Jewish community will double down on our efforts to work with elected officials and intercommunity partners to stamp out racist violence in our society.”
Irvine City Council Member Melissa Fox said in a statement, “Irvine will always stand strong against intolerance and stand up for our neighbors. We will never take lightly hate crimes or threats fueled by hate. We will find, arrest, and punish whoever committed this despicable crime.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
