Christian Idaho Woman Converts Jewish Neighbor — by Attacking Her

Marguerite Haragan Image by Ada County Jail

By JTA February 15, 2015

A Boise, Idaho woman harassed and physically attacked a Jewish neighbor in order to convince her to convert to Christianity.

Marguerite Haragan Image by Ada County Jail

Marguerite Haragan, 58, harassed the Jewish woman identified in a court hearing on Feb. 12 as AG first by phone calls and then by showing up at her home in Ada County.

Haragan, 58, has been charged with two counts of malicious harassment in the attack, which police have labeled a hate crime, local television station KTVB reported. She could face up to five years in prison for each count.

Haragan went to AG’s home on Feb. 5 and banged on her window while shouting that she “better believe in Jesus,” and that she would not leave until AG did, the Idaho Statesman reported, citing a recording of Haragan’s arraignment.

When AG opened the door to get Haragan’s license plate number, Haragan slapped her in the face, pulled her hair and threw her to the ground where she kicked her in the stomach, and then pressed her foot into AG’s throat until the Jewish woman said she would believe in Jesus.

Haragan returned to the home two days later and wrote “death” on AG’s mailbox.

She was arrested on Feb. 12. The judge in the case has issued a no-contact order barring Haragan from talking to A.G. or going near her, according to KTVB.

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.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

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