Two swastikas were spraypainted on Temple Israel’s historic Emerson Avenue entrance of the synagogue on Monday morning, Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman notified the synagogue community of the incident in an email. One swastika was on a column, and the other was on one of the wooden doors.
Zimmerman said the Minneapolis Police Department “responded swiftly,” taking a report and reviewing security footage.
“The Chief of Police notified Mayor [Jacob] Frey, who called me to express his concern and support. Our security team remains alert following this incident,” Zimmerman wrote. “I am incredibly grateful to our outstanding security team at Temple, who maintain a seen and unseen presence to help keep us safe.”
According to a Minneapolis Police Department release: “At approximately 7:19 a.m., a suspect is observed on surveillance cameras spray painting swastikas on the doors and a pillar that face Emerson Av. S. The suspect who was wearing a white hoodie with the hood up, a black face covering, black jogger pants, and tan boots arrived and left in a silver Honda Civic and spent less than two minutes at the temple.”
MPD is monitoring cameras in the area and is investigating this incident.
“Hate crimes and crimes against our houses of worship are particularly troubling because they can result in real widespread fear and can contribute to potential division among our residents,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “MPD has no tolerance for these types of crime and will be investigating this as a bias-based crime.”
“The swastika is a clear antisemitic symbol,” Zimmerman said. “We’ve had other taggings that have not been as obvious, but there is no question that this is antisemitic.”
Frey, who is Jewish, posted on Instagram that too few people have the courage to speak out when the increase in antisemitism that’s taken place in the past 14 months since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
“These Nazi symbols were placed on my synagogue, where Minneapolis Jews congregate and deserve to feel safe,” he wrote. “We don’t back down to fear. We stand strong, proud of who we are, and I know that Minneapolis – a city of inclusivity and love –stands with us.”
Zimmerman said that she wasn’t yet aware of the ideology of the person who committed the vandalism, but that the investigation was ongoing.
“Antisemitism has increased with such an intensity that, unfortunately, we’re experiencing more of this,” she said.
There is no connection between this incident and the person who was arrested in October for making terroristic threats towards the synagogue.
“It is heartbreaking to see such a hateful image directly underneath the words emblazoned above our doors, words that have guided us for generations: ‘My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples,’” Zimmerman wrote. “Temple has always been a sacred space, a welcoming place to all who enter with a spirit of community and peace. I am proud of our Temple community, and of standing up for our Jewish values even in difficult times.”
She said that religious leaders stand together against hate.
“It’s important for us to feel pride and the strength of our history and religious tradition,” she said. “No religious tradition should have to confront hate or disrespect in any way.”
