A historic synagogue in Philadelphia, Congregation Mikveh Israel, was targeted in a series of incidents involving arson, vandalism, and an attempted burglary on Tuesday. The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating the incidents in collaboration with the FBI. An arson incident involving a dumpster fire next to the synagogue occurred at 2:15 a.m., and surveillance footage captured a man near the dumpster before it caught fire. Two suspects were caught on camera attempting to break into the synagogue at 6:30 a.m., damaging property in the process. Later in the day, a religious statue at the synagogue was vandalized with profanity written on it.
While local Jewish leaders have called the incidents antisemitic, authorities have not deemed them as acts of hate. Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian, who has been the rabbi at the synagogue since 2021, mentioned that the synagogue had not experienced any serious attacks in the past three years. Antisemitic incidents have been on the rise in recent years, with a surge following a deadly terrorist attack in Israel in October 2023. The Anti-Defamation League reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2023.
Congregation Mikveh Israel, known as the “Synagogue of the American Revolution,” has a deep historical significance as one of the oldest formal congregations in Philadelphia dating back to 1740. The synagogue has ties to George Washington and has been a part of Philadelphia’s and the nation’s founding history. Despite the recent incidents, the synagogue remains an important landmark with a rich history in the U.S.
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