As Jewish communities around the world mourn the loss of the thousands of Israeli civilians who have been killed over the past week by terrorist group Hamas, and the subsequent war declared by Israel, a local hate crime is hindering the Humboldt Jewish community's ability to heal during this tragic time.
On Monday, Cal Poly Humboldt's University Police Department (UPD) received a report of antisemitic messaging on a Jewish Student Union tent that had been set up on the quad on campus as a sukkah for the Jewish holiday Sukkot.
"It was a very obnoxious and very profane slur against Israel," Chabad of Humboldt Rabbi Eliyahu Cowen said.
In an email notification sent out to the campus community, Cal Poly Humboldt wrote, in part, "the university does not tolerate acts of hate or discrimination directed at any member of the campus community or the destruction of property. UPD is committed to investigating and prosecuting hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law."
According to that same email notification, a suspect can be seen on video surveillance next to the sukkah around the time the crime was committed. No further information has been released in regard to any suspects.
"Even more important than fining the particular perpetrator, it's about sending a clear message that in our society, we do not tolerate hate, we do not tolerate hate crimes," Rabbi Cowen said.
Now, Chabad of Humboldt is prioritizing support for its members and the community and spreading light in what is still a very dark time for many.