Police in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, are investigating after someone targeted a Jewish temple in Wynnewood with antisemitic graffiti overnight.
A stunned resident of the community shared an image of the vandalism -- that showed a swastika in red paint over "Our Community Stands With Israel" that was hung below the main sign for Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El -- on social media on Sunday morning.
The discovery was made just off the synagogue's main entrance along Remington Road.
"Unfortunately, the Jewish people are used to things like this happening," Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky said. "This is a trying time for us all and hatred -- whatever it is -- has no place here, it should have no place in our society."
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There was no other visible damage done to the property and the vandalism was discovered around 8:15 a.m., Lower Merion police said. The sign was removed and police continued to investigate.
This was the second time in about a week that the congregation's Israel solidarity sign was vandalized, according to the synagogue. A police report was filed after last Friday night's incident and the sign was removed and replaced, the shul said.
Community shows support amid antisemetic vandalism
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CNN anchor Jake Tapper -- who attended nearby Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy and grew up attending the synagogue -- tweeted about the incident.
Fellow Barrack alum, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, later retweeted NBC10's post, calling out antisemitism:
"Antisemitism and the vandalism of a house of worship of any kind have no place in this Commonwealth. I’ve spoken to Rabbi Witkovsky and told him we stand with his wonderful congregation and against hate. PSP is coordinating with our law enforcement partners to apprehend the person(s) responsible.
"These acts of hate will never change the fact that no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you do and don’t pray to, you belong here in Pennsylvania."
The synagogue's rabbi was spoke of other religious and community members reaching out for support.
“What we’re afraid of most isn’t a vandal, it’s vandalism and no one else caring," Witkovsky said. "And, so the fact that non-Jewish leaders around us, that other other religious leaders around us, that political leaders around us have all reached out to say this isn’t OK, to show their support for us means the world to our community.”
On Monday, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia joined the voices condemning the "the disturbing antisemitic vandalism."
"As antisemitism continues to rise nationally and locally, we must work together as a community to make it clear that hate has no place here," the Jewish federation said. "We stand with Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El as they address this vandalism while continuing their critical work to unify the Wynnewood Jewish community through prayer, inclusion, and love."
The Jewish Federation invited people to take part in the temple's Monday night prayer service set for 7 p.m. "to show the power of our unity and solidarity." People were urged to arrive early to go through security.
The synagogue wound up packed with people showing support.
Why the swastika is a symbol of Jewish hate
The swastika is a longtime "common symbol across Asia, used by Hindus, Buddhists, and adherents of other religions," but became the symbol of Nazi Germany and is seen as a message of hate against Jewish people, the Anti-Defamation League says.
"Since 1945, the swastika has served as the most significant and notorious of hate symbols, anti-Semitism and white supremacy for most of the world outside of Asia," the ADL says.
In a Facebook post, the synagogue said that the symbol should not symbolize anything in the Israel-Hamas war.
"We do not know who did this," Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El leadership wrote. "We do know that they wanted us to be afraid. A swastika is not a commentary on the policies of the State of Israel, nor is it a sign of solidarity with Palestinians. It is a symbol of hatred and division. We, the leadership of the synagogue, want everyone to know that we will not give in to either fear or division. We are blessed to live in a society in which hate speech is not tolerated by the police, who are working with us to keep us safe. We are blessed to live in a society where our neighbors of other faiths have already reached out to offer support."
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