A suspect was arrested for an arson attack on Dec. 5 at the San Francisco Hillel.
A fire broke out at the Hillel, which, according to its website, serves all college campuses in the city, according to SF Hillel. It stated that while there were no injuries and the Torah scrolls were safe, the fire caused “significant damage to the basement and second-floor bathroom, along with most programming materials.”
Roger Feigelson, executive director of SF Hillel, stated on Tuesday in an email to community members, obtained by the Jewish News of Northern California, that the fire was determined to be arson and that a suspect was arrested.
Officer Robert Rueca, public information officer at the San Francisco Police Department, told JNS that “the preliminary investigation discovered evidence to believe that the fire was suspicious in nature and may have been intentionally started.”
Rueca confirmed on Tuesday that police did arrest a suspect, identified as Mitchell Hoyt, 36, of San Francisco.
“At this time, there is no probable cause to arrest Hoyt for a hate crime,” he said. “Although an arrest has been made, this remains an open and active investigation.”
Randy Quezada, spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, told JNS that “the case is under review” and that a “charging decision is due tomorrow.”
Feigelson said that “we are awaiting a barrage of inspectors and contractors to assess how we get the building safely back up and running, so we can continue to pack and assess damage for our move.”
“The top priority is to abate all the asbestos and lead that were let loose into the building,” he added. “Most of our programming supplies have been destroyed and will need to be replaced,” though “there is no further student programming with students currently on break until late January.”
“While we generally regard Chanukah as a minor holiday, now more than ever, we need to lean into the warmth and light of the holiday,” Feigelson said. “And for the SF Hillel staff that comes in the form of our wonderful students and you—the Jewish community and our many allies.”
The Jewish Community Relations Council Bay Area stated that the suspected arson is not the first time SF Hillel has been targeted.
“Last year, antisemitic graffiti was discovered on the front of the building, and vandals attempted to break in,” the JCRC stated. “SF Hillel is a vital institution and home for hundreds of Jewish college students across San Francisco.”
