Swampscott,
MA – Rabbi Michael Ragozin at Temple Shirat Hayam discovered vandalism to
the sign in front of the Atlantic Avenue synagogue.
Someone
had affixed to both sides of the sign at the temple’s main entrance a multiple
small, heart-shaped stickers of the Palestinian flag.
The
act of vandalism goes beyond violation, Rabbi Michael Ragozin said. It carried
a political message as well.
“In
attacking Congregation Shirat Hayam, the perpetrator substituted American Jews
for the state of Israel,” he
continued. “This linkage matches the modern definitions of antisemitism
which include ‘holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state
of Israel.'”
The
Swampscott police are investigating the incident and have removed the stickers
as evidence.
