Thieves Steal, Damage Penn State Chabad Menorah Statue
A security camera shows suspects placing the vandalized menorah in front of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Image by Courtesy of Chabad of Penn State
By Aiden Pink November 9, 2017
A giant menorah statue was stolen from outside Chabad of Penn State and was found damaged the next day in front of the building of the Sigma Alpha Mu Jewish fraternity.
The theft took place sometime on Friday, October 27, Chabad co-director Rabbi Hershy Gourarie said in a statement. A security camera reportedly showed four suspects. Gourarie said that the fraternity members themselves were not involved.
“The police have the footage and are doing everything possible to move the investigation forward as quickly as possible,” Gourarie said.
“This incident is being handled on the highest level and I would like to commend the university for their strong support and zero tolerance for acts of this nature,” he added.
The damage is estimated at around $1,800.
“Chabad’s response to this incident will be to rebuild the menorah and [an] increase in programming which will be aimed [at] fostering increased awareness and pride of our Jewish heritage,” Gourarie said.
Contact Aiden Pink at [email protected] or on Twitter, @aidenpink
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
