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Famed Lower East Side Synagogue Vandalized in Possible Hate Crime

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One of NYC’s Oldest Synagogues Vandalized In Possible Hate Crime One of NYC’s Oldest Synagogues Vandalized In Possible Hate Crime

The New York Police Department is investigating a vandalism incident at a Stanton Street Synagogue, located on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. NYPD officials do not exclude it as a possible hate crime, reports Jewish Political News and Updates on Friday.

According to a report on the JP Updates site, two thieves allegedly broke into the synagogue through the locked fire escape door sometime between Sunday and Wednesday, subsequently vandalizing the synagogue.

The lamps at the bima were pulled off and broken and the lectern was turned over. In addition, the talisim and other holy valuables were thrown to the floor. The perpetrators then left the scene without stealing anything.

Police were called to the shul on Wednesday. After having taken finger prints and reviewing some surveillance video that caught the suspects, they reassured the community that nothing was taken from the synagogue.

Since, however, the vandals simply left the building after having incurred to it a certain amount of damage, this incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. It is also believed that the job could have been done by local men who were looking to steal some cash and because they did not find any, they “turned over the synagogue,” stated the officials.

President of the synagogue Rebecca Honig-Friedman released an email to the congregation members informing them that when Rabbi Aviad Bodner entered the shul, he discovered that it had been vandalized.

“Thank God, no one was hurt and the damage could have been much worse, the Torahs and ark were not touched,” Ms. Honig-Friedman added, as reported by JP Updates. She also urged the community to support each other in the wake of the incident.

The synagogue was built in 1913 and it is located on 180 Stanton Street. It is one of the last surviving tenement-style synagogues in the New York City area.

No other Incidents were reported at any other synagogues in Lower East Side. The investigation remains active.

 

JP Updates urges anyone possessing information in regards to this incident to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM

Dina Hoffmann

Credit: thelodownny.com

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