Three incidents of arson, vandalism, and an attempted burglary occurred at the historic Congregation Mikveh Israel synagogue in Philadelphia in close succession. The Philadelphia Police Department is working with the FBI to investigate the incidents. The first incident was a dumpster fire that was determined to be arson. Surveillance video showed a suspect wearing specific clothing near the dumpster. Two suspects were caught on camera trying to break into the synagogue later that morning. A religious statue was vandalized with profanity written on it at another incident later in the day. While authorities have not labeled the incidents as hate crimes, the local Jewish community has condemned the acts as antisemitic. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia stated that the synagogue has been repeatedly targeted with antisemitic vandalism over the past few months. Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian, who has been with the synagogue since September 2021, expressed shock at the incidents, as the synagogue had not experienced any serious attacks in the past few years. The incidents come amid an increase in antisemitic incidents following a deadly attack in Israel. Congregation Mikveh Israel, also known as the “Synagogue of the American Revolution,” has deep historical ties to Philadelphia and the country’s founding, being established in 1740 as the oldest continuous synagogue in the U.S.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
Congregation Mikveh Israel faced 3 attacks in one day
