December 22, 2011
N.J. synagogue defaced
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A Conservative synagogue in Hackensack, N.J. was defaced by anti-Semitic vandals.
Swastikas and white supremacist symbols were painted on Temple Beth El late Tuesday night, the first night of Chanukah. An accusation that Jews caused the 9-11 attacks was also painted on the building, according to reports. The graffiti was discovered by a synagogue secretary on Wednesday morning.
Police reportedly believe that the vandals were the same as those that painted swastikas on a Reconstructionist temple in neighboring Maywood, N.J. last week.
Hackensack police reportedly have scheduled extra patrols near the synagogue.
The Anti Defamation League condemned the incident in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.
“We are deeply troubled by a repeat attack on a Jewish place of worship in Bergen County,” said Etzion Neuer, ADL Director of Community Service & Policy in the New York Regional Office. “At a time when Jews are celebrating the joyous festival of Hanukkah, they instead find themselves cleaning symbols of hatred off their place of worship. While graffiti swastikas are often the work of malicious juveniles, the appearance of white supremacist symbols strongly suggests an extremist connection.”
