Officers have arrested a man accused of threatening and vandalizing a Jewish center at the University of Florida.
Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Geoffrey Lush, 50, on Thursday on charges of property damage to a religious center and making a written threat.
On Nov. 23, UF Hillel received a threatening voicemail. The caller stated, “If you do not value the lives of children then we do not value yours at all. At all. May you burn in the fires of hell for eternity. Every single one of you.”
The next morning, members of the Lubavitch – Chabad Jewish Center & Community Center found phrases including “burn in hell” and “child murderers” written on their signs. On the sidewalk in front of the building was a Star of David and a reference to “Molec.” The damage to the sign and sidewalk exceeds $200.
Surveillance video showed a white man wearing a long trench coat with light-colored long hair committing the vandalism. Detectives connected the phone number and an email address used to make threatening messages back to Lush.
Officers say on Lush’s social media, he expresses similar beliefs.
He is being held on a $150,000 bond at the Alachua County Jail.
December 1, 2023Chabad UF is pleased to notify the students and community that the perpetrator of the antisemitic vandalism at our Center was arrested Thursday evening.
We want to thank law enforcement for their swift action in catching the offender and for their continuous protection of all citizens. We are grateful to the UF and Gainesville community for their concern and support, always.
Antisemitism, hatred and bigotry of any type is never acceptable and must be called out in any form or when targeting any individual or group.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson of righteous memory, said that an effective response to antisemitism is to increase and strengthen Jewish activity and observance.
We encourage everyone to do an extra Mitzvah – good deed to add goodness and kindness to our community and world. Give charity, visit the sick, Jewish men put on Tefillin and in honor of the Shabbat tonight, all Jewish women and girls are encouraged to Light the Shabbat candles prior to sunset (in Gainesville at 5:12PM).
Chabad UF is committed to its mission of providing, proud Jewish Life and Learning to the students and community and to double our efforts to strengthen Judaism, advocate for Israel and continue to bring light and joy to the UF, SFC and Gainesville communities.
Chabad UF will continue to enhance our security protocols to ensure the safety of our Center’s participants, visitors, guests, employees, and staff. If you have any questions, concerns, etc., please contact Rabbi Berl Goldman at: cell (352)256-3323 – (352) 336-5877 office – Rabbi@JewishGator.com – www.JewishGator.comMessage from Chabad UF
