Police are investigating after a swastika was found painted on a wall near a Jewish temple in Pembroke Pines. StopAntisemitism shared the news of the antisemitic incident on Twitter.
South Florida - we have just learned a swastika was spray painted next to a Chabad Jewish center in Pembroke Pines on Yom Kippur.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) September 27, 2023
A Chabad employee noticed the swastika, and other graffiti markings, after services.
Why is this happening in America 2023?
The disturbing find was made Monday on the back side of a shopping center on Pines Boulevard next to Chabad of Pembroke Pines.
The Chabad is the Jewish orthodox temple in Pembroke Pines and dozens of Jews were there for Yom Kippur services, which were happening all day and into the evening Monday.
Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
An employee with the temple noticed the swastika, and other graffiti markings, after services.
The markings were painted over on Tuesday but the rabbi said the incident is disturbing.
"People always tell us, 'Rabbi, you’re the luckiest synagogue in the world, you don’t even need security, you have a police station right here,' which is, when we bought this property, we are like great, we are safe. Generally speaking, like I said, this is such a safe, quiet neighborhood," Rabbi Moedechai Andrusier said.
Andrusier said he also heard reports of graffiti in other parts of Pembroke Pines. He said police told him it could be the work of ignorant teens who don't know any better.
Pembroke Pines Police said they are indeed investigating.
"We are actively gathering evidence in order to locate any suspect(s) involved in this incident, including identifying any possible CCTV footage from the area," police said in a statement.