Chicago: Synagogues, schools and kosher businesses were vandalized with swastikas
A wave of anti-Semitism ravaged the “City of Ghosts” last weekend, during which at least six synagogues and businesses were vandalized. One suspect has been arrested, but it is unclear if he is involved in any of the incidents. Senior in the Anti-Defamation League: “This is the experience that American Jews are experiencing these days”
Chicago police have opened an investigation after at least six other synagogues and Jewish institutions were vandalized over the weekend. City law enforcement agencies have even announced that they have arrested a suspect, but it is unclear if involved in any of the incidents.
The “FREE” synagogue, and a swastika spray-painted on the building
According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, all the incidents took place last weekend in the area of Devon Blvd. in the northwest of the city (an area in the city where many Jews live, with dozens of kosher businesses and synagogues).
For example, on Saturday, windows in two businesses were smashed – a kosher supermarket called “Kol Tov” and a kosher bakery nearby: “Whoever did this must understand that we are all children of God,” said Walter Richman, the bakery owner, in a conversation with the city media. Equal treatment”.
Those responsible must be held accountable. An arrest has been made and the police are working diligently to gather evidence to support charges.
— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) January 31, 2022
The wave of anti-Semitism resumed on Sunday, when around 5:00 a.m. police officers were called to a synagogue in the city (also on Devon Avenue) after yellow swastikas were spray-painted on the walls of the building. This is the “FREE” synagogue in Chicago (“Friends of Refugees from Eastern Europe”).
“We packed hundreds of meals for needy families, including many Holocaust survivors and the elderly, and after we finished we went outside and discovered the swastika on the synagogue wall,” Rabbi Levy Nautik recalled.
The training bakery that was vandalized over the last weekend in Chicago
While waiting for the police to arrive, one of the members of the local Jewish community came to the synagogue and said he was attacked on his way to the scene: “He arrived after we found the signs of hatred, and he was very upset,” the rabbi said. He was not seriously injured, and the police are thanked for their excellent work. “
On Sunday evening, Chicago police detectives were called to two Jewish schools in the area, after swastikas were also found in them. As mentioned, law enforcement in the city arrested one suspect, whose name has not yet been released, and it is not at all clear whether he was arrested on suspicion of a single incident, or whether he was suspected of involvement in all the antisemitic incidents.
“There is no doubt that these crimes are an integral part of the rise in anti-Semitism we are seeing, both in our city and across the state,” said Lori Lightfoot, the mayor of Chicago.
“This is the experience that American Jews are experiencing these days,” said David Goldenberg, a senior member of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “I can no longer imagine a time when I would come to the synagogue and not pass by an armed security guard.”
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