Los Angeles Synagogue Targeted With Anti-Semitic Vandalism
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
(JTA) — A Conservative synagogue in Los Angeles was targeted with a spray painted swastika and gang symbols.
Temple Aliyah in the Woodland Hills neighborhood was vandalized on Monday. The Los Angeles Police Department told the Los Angeles Jewish Journal that it considers the attack a hate crime, but it has no suspects because the incident did not show up on the synagogue’s security camera footage.
The graffiti was painted at the entrance to the synagogue. The swastika was drawn backwards. A penis also was drawn on the sign bearing the synagogue’s name.
“We’re calling it a hate crime at this point. Even though it is a minor vandalism it is considered a hate crime by us. It is motivated by, in our opinion, hate, based on the type of graffiti that is there, that is present — the swastikas in general, if that makes sense,” LAPD Det. Nick Abbinanti told the Jewish Journal.
A synagogue located next to Temple Aliyah was not damaged.
“As always, we are concerned when any synagogue is vandalized. Although it appears that the swastika was drawn incorrectly, and that there was some other graffiti included with the swastika, we consider this an anti-Semitic incident since the target was a synagogue,” the Anti-Defamation League’s Pacific Southwest Region said in a statement.
“Temple Aliyah is our sacred home and this act of vandalism, even if just a teenage prank, is a violation and desecration,” a statement sent to congregants read.
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