(JTA) — The Sixth & I synagogue in downtown Washington, D.C., was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti.
Michelle Eider, the synagogue’s communications manager, said the vandalism contained swastikas and anti-Semitic language and was discovered on Monday morning.
In an email to congregants, the synagogue’s three rabbis said the damage was minimal and would be quickly fixed.
“In these moments, it’s important to remember that it is not a shame but an honor to be a Jew,” said the email. “It is no small irony that it was our doors, symbols of welcoming and inclusivity, onto which someone spewed hatred and bigotry.”
Police arrested a 28-year-old suspect on Monday and charged him with defacing and destroying property and resisting arrest, The Washington Post reported.
In addition to hosting services and Jewish programming, the non-denominational synagogue hosts events featuring well-known entertainers, thinkers, writers and politicians.
I am devastated to learn that my beloved @SixthandI was victimized and defaced with antisemitic Graffiti this past Shabbat. I have no words for what this place means to me. My husband converted there. Rabbi Shira married us. My daughter was named there. I am distraught. pic.twitter.com/NwvAVF4T4j— Carly Pildis (@CarlyPildis) December 2, 2019
Author
Josefin Dolsten
Josefin Dolsten is a former news fellow at the Forward, writing about politics and culture, and editing the Sisterhood blog. She received an MA in Jewish Studies and Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a BA in Government from Cornell University. Follow her on Twitter at @josefindolsten.
Sixth & I Synagogue Hit With Anti-Semitic Vandalism