Three incidents of antisemitic vandalism occurred over the previous weekend in Ventura, Calif., police said on Thursday.
The vandalism, which included Nazi swastikas and other hateful images, occurred at Temple Beth Torah, a Reform synagogue, as well as Higher Vision Church and Juanamaria Park between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning, according to the Ventura Police Department.
Joshua Burt, regional director at the Anti-Defamation League, shared pictures on social media of the graffiti. The synagogue was vandalized with graffiti stating that “you will be judged,” and the church was vandalized with the words “Zionist traitors,” he said.
Burt posted pictures of graffiti at the park that included a Nazi swastika and the words, “They want to replace you,” and shared a picture of “death to Jews” graffiti.
Emily Ayala, senior communications specialist for the city, told JNS that the “death to Jews” graffiti was found on the synagogue.
“This is antisemitism and criminal,” Burt stated. “ADL is in contact with law enforcement who is diligently working to find the suspects and protect our community.”
The police department said that the same person or group may have been responsible for the incidents and that it is investigating them as hate crimes. It is also increasing patrols “for a strong and visible presence near faith-based events to support the safety of the community.”
Jeannette Sánchez-Palacios, mayor of Ventura, said that she is “deeply disturbed” about the vandalism.
“Antisemitism, hate and intimidation have no place in Ventura,” she stated. “An act intended to make members of our Jewish community feel unsafe is an attack on the values we share as a community.”
