Crime & Safety
Synagogue Vandalized With Swastika Graffiti In Wynnewood
"We do not know who did this. We do know that they wanted us to be afraid," synagogue leadership said.
![A synagogue was vandalized in Wynnewood.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/920517/20240331/070347/styles/patch_image/public/police-lights-shutterstock-20216638___31190132360.jpg)
WYNNEWOOD, PA — A sign outside a synagogue in Wynnewood was defaced with a swastika over the weekend, according to synagogue leadership.
The sign, which says, “Our Community Stands With Israel,” was spray painted Saturday night with a red swastika, according to a Facebook post by the leaders of Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El, which included an image of the graffiti.
The incident marks the second time in recent weeks the sign has been defaced, synagogue leadership said, adding both times the vandalism was reported to authorities.
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“We do not know who did this. We do know that they wanted us to be afraid,” the Facebook post said. “A swastika is not a commentary on the policies of the State of Israel, nor is it a sign of solidarity with Palestinians. It is a symbol of hatred and division.
“We, the leadership of the synagogue, want everyone to know that we will not give in to either fear or division. We are blessed to live in a society in which hate speech is not tolerated by the police, who are working with us to keep us safe. We are blessed to live in a society where our neighbors of other faiths have already reached out to offer support.”
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The spray-painted sign was removed and a replacement was bought, WPVI reported, adding authorities are reviewing surveillance footage of the area.
Among those who took to social media to address the vandalism was CNN’s Jake Tapper.
“Last night someone spray painted a swastika at the synagogue where i was bar mitzvahed, Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El in Wynnewood, PA,” he said in a post on X.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact police at 610-649-1000, according to WPVI.
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