OLYMPIA, WA [KIROTV] — Olympia police are investigating a hate crime after vandals knocked over a Jewish menorah and then desecrated it.
The vandalism happened overnight Monday outside the home and office of Rabbi Cheski Edelman.
Vandals Leave Hateful Message at Chabad House
OLYMPIA, WA [KIROTV] — Olympia police are investigating a hate crime after vandals knocked over a Jewish menorah and then desecrated it.
The vandalism happened overnight Monday outside the home and office of Rabbi Cheski Edelman.
“My wife was driving out of the driveway in the morning and she called me to let me know that the menorah was knocked down,” said Edelman. “As soon as I saw it, I knew there was no way that it somehow fell over because it’s a very, very heavy menorah. And as I lifted it up, I noticed that it was spray-painted, ‘die Jew,’ which, of course, did not make me feel very good.”
Edelman said the incident left his wife feeling scared.
Reiko Callner, the former Olympia prosecutor who helped write the city’s hate crime ordinance and helped form a local anti-hate organization, contacted Edelman and his family.
“We are very much driven and compelled to come and try to make amends and show that unity and love is much stronger than these often mindless and cowardly acts,” said Callner.
The rabbi, who lost many family members in the Holocaust during World War II, is trying to put the best face on the incident.
“It was probably just a bunch of kids trying to have fun. I’m trying not to take it too seriously,” said Callner.
Edelman thinks the vandalism happened between 11 p.m. Monday and 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He said he doesn’t believe the act reflects most of his neighbors in Olympia.
nos
disgusting but it happens all the time it will only stop with moshiach so what we need to daven extra hard
concerned
I hope they’ll find the people that did this.
DESGUSTING!
Don’t worry, Rabbi Edelman: With Hashem’s help, the police will find out who did it. (My heart goes out to you: I can imagine how it feels!)
We want Moshiach Now, so that we can rest assured that this will never happen again.
Family Edelman, may Hashem and the Rebbe be with you.
All the best
..at least you’re in a small town where the cops actually care (unlike ch) hopefully you’ll find them..
Go Chezky!