Oxford

(JTA) — In two anti-Semitic incidents involving the same Jewish community center in the British university city of Oxford, perpetrators spread white powder and started a fire outside the building.

Talcum powder was flung over the garbage bins at the Chabad Student Centre Wednesday and offensive letters left at the building, the This is Oxforshire daily newspaper reported. On Friday, racist notes were left around the building and a fire was started outside the building.

Police and firefighters raced to the scene after reports of the white powder being thrown. It was analyzed and found to be non-harmful.

Antisemitism Notebook

Your weekly guide through the news and the noise of how rising antisemitism and disputes over how to address it are shaping American Jewish life.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Eli Brackman, the Chabad rabbi who runs the center, said he believed the powder was thrown in an attempt to spread panic and fear, with people initially believing it might be a more dangerous substance. He said the center was concerned but pledged to not be deterred by “displays of hate.” He added: “We have been touched by the reaction of the community and thankful for the response of the police and emergency services.”

Police have appealed for help from the public in trying to identify the culprits.

On Monday, the Oxford Labour Muslim Network condemned the incidents “in the strongest possible terms,” saying in a post on Facebook that “an attack on one is an attack on all.”

“The only way we oppose this is through unity and solidarity,” the group said, noting that there has been a surge of hate crime in Britain since Brexit and throughout Europe in recent years, with attacks on both the Jewish and Muslim communities.

A message from our Publisher & CEO 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.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount