A red swastika was found spray-painted on Temple Beth Hillel Beth-El in Wynnewood, Pa., on Sunday morning, marring on a sign that reads “Our Community Stands With Israel.” The sign was next to another one advertising Camp Shemesh, a summer program for kids.
“Unfortunately, the Jewish people are used to things like this happening,” said Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky, as reported on NBC10. “This is a trying time for us all and hatred—whatever it is—has no place here. It should have no place in our society.”
“What we’re afraid of most isn’t a vandal; it’s vandalism and no one else caring,” added the rabbi.
Joel Bolstein, chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, stated that the commission “condemns this blatant act of antisemitism against the local Jewish community in the strongest possible terms.”
“The swastika is a universally recognized symbol of hatred not just against Jews but against all Americans,” Bolstein stated. “We will remain vigilant in our efforts to combat discrimination and hate in all of its forms.”
The Jewish Federation of Philadelphia condemned the offensive symbol and the targeting of a synagogue. It was the second time in as many weeks that the was vandalized.
Wynnewood is home to a sizable Jewish population, including the visibly Orthodox. The Main Line suburb is adjacent to the borough of Narberth, Pa., which two weeks ago had “Free Gaza” scrubbed off a brick wall next to the Israeli-owned Nana’s Kitchen & Catering.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who grew up in the area and attended Jewish day school there, posted online about the vandalism, noting that he had his bar mitzvah at the Conservative synagogue.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who went to the same day school as Tapper, said he spoke with Witkovsky about the vandalism.
“These acts of hate will never change the fact that no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you do and don’t pray to, you belong here in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro wrote on X.
He added that Pennsylvania State Police are coordinating with local law enforcement to apprehend those responsible.
Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) wrote on social media that “no one should be using Nazi symbols in 2024. We must find the people responsible and hold them accountable for this dangerous display of hate.”
