A man was arrested and charged on Monday for vandalizing the historic Sixth & I Synagogue in Washington, D.C., with anti-Semitic graffiti on Friday.
Police apprehended Luis Montsinos, 28, and charged him with defacing and the destruction of property, in addition to resisting arrest, reported radio station WTOP.
The vandalism included swastikas written in red ink on a staircase and the word “JEW” etched onto a door, reported The Washington Post.
“While the damage to the building is minimal and will be fixed quickly, events like this can throw even the toughest person into a tailspin,” said Sixth & I Rabbis Shira Stutman, Aaron Potek and Jesse Paikin in an email to community members on Monday. “Given the current climate, we unfortunately are not surprised by this happening.”
“In these moments, it’s important to remember that it is not a shame but an honor to be a Jew … ,” they added. “We can and will respond to this hateful act with open doors, in resilience and spirit, living Jewish lives of joy, optimism and pride.”
