Los Angeles-Area Jewish Institutions Hit in $80K Robbery
Some $80,000 in equipment and valuables were stolen from two Los Angeles-area Jewish institutions.
The sound and audio equipment and other valuables were stolen from Hollywood Temple Beth El and the Iranian American Jewish Federation, which share a building in West Hollywood, the Los Angeles Jewish Journal reported on its website Wednesday, citing local police. Police provided the $80,000 figure, though the institutions reportedly had a lower amount.
The theft occurred early on the morning of Feb. 7, according to police. In addition to the equipment, a safe containing historical documents was taken. Makom LA, which is located inside Beth El, also reported missing valuables.
Surveillance video footage was too unclear to provide usable evidence, and there were no discernible fingerprints, police told the Jewish Journal.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Edward Ramirez, of the West Hollywood station, told the newspaper on Tuesday that there were no suspects and no signs of forced entry or exit. No alarm reportedly was triggered during the burglary.
Cantor Danny Maseng, spiritual leader of Makom, told the newspaper that it is possible someone remained in the building after a singles’ event the night before, leading to the robbery.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
