The Rabbinical Alliance of America — Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 American rabbis — expresses its deep outrage over the vandalism of the Nessah Synagogue, one of the largest synagogues in Los Angeles. The vandalism at the Nessah Synagogue was discovered Saturday morning by an employee who said he found “an open door and items ransacked inside,” local police said in a news release. Even more distressful than the break-in and property damage, the vandals desecrated holy texts. This attack was directed against not just Jews and Judaism, but the very notion of sanctity.
Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Alliance of America, stated, “What makes this crime so despicable is that it happened at a synagogue, a house of worship where peace, love and tolerance are preached and lived. It is a shame that hate mongers act like cowards by disrespecting a synagogue. While we commend Mayor John Mirisch and appreciate his strong no-nonsense tough position against anti-Semitism, and while we commend law enforcement for making it known that they will do whatever the law permits them to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act, we as Jewish Americans feel vulnerable at this time. This act of vandalism comes on the heels of the Jersey City massacre, which claimed the lives of two Jewish people, as well as a police detective and a store employee.
“As Jews, we worry when this hate and evil will stop. The Rabbinical Alliance of America calls upon all decent peace-loving people to join in one voice and condemn this act. We must unanimously resolve not to treat hate as a partisan issue, but rather as the poisonous disease that it is. As peace-loving people, we will channel our positive energy to combat this evil and lead by example. Because a hateful attack against one is a hateful attack against us all, let our voices be heard that anti-Semitism, hate and bigotry will not be tolerated in this country. Only through a genuine commitment to deal with hate in a non-partisan fashion and with a genuine commitment to work together will we win the war on hate.”
May He who makes peace in His Heavens make peace on this World. May all those who possess hate discover the error in their evil ways.