Chabad Shul Vandalized During ‘Pirate Festival’

A Chabad Shul in Tampa Bay, FL, was damaged by vandals during the annual “Gasparilla Pirate Festival” hosted by the city. The shuls rabbi, Rabbi Lazer Rivkin, says the vandalism has “sort of become a tradition during the parade.”

From WTSP News:

Gasparilla’s known for it’s boats, beads…and booze.

“When liquor goes in, the secrets come out. Some secrets are pretty nasty,” said Rabbi Lazer Rivkin.

Like antisemitism: the fence in front of Merkos Chabad Lubavitch synagogue was heavily damaged during Gasparilla Saturday. Rivkin says it has sort of become a tradition during the parade.

“It’s obvious that there has been a continual progression of being targeted,” Rivkin said. “None of the neighboring buildings had it happen to them.”

Rivkin says he applied for a Department of Homeland Security grant to increase security around the synagogue, but was denied.

“I hope we will get one this year and maybe this will help,” Rivkin said.