Update: Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray stated a $2000 reward is being offered for info. leading to the vandal's arrest; more here.
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A second synagogue in Huntsville, Alabama was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti over the span of a couple days, authorities said. Swastikas were found on the Chabad of Huntsville on April 10; the suspect reportedly was captured on surveillance footage. Local police are investigating the matter with assistance from the FBI.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said at a press conference in front of the Chabad, “We do not condone this. We are going to make sure we protect our community.”
The Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama said in an April 10 statement, “During one of the holiest times of the year for the Jewish people, cowards have now attacked us twice. An attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of us.” They added: “It’s meant to terrify us. Make no mistake, we will not be scared out of this wonderful place we call home.”
Rabbi Eric Berk of Temple B’nai Sholom, which is also in Huntsville, issued a statement saying that he has been in contact with local police and the FBI to help protect his synagogue from antisemitic vandalism.
On April 8, swastikas and other antisemitic slurs such as the words “Jew rats” were spray-painted on the Etz Chayim synagogue in Huntsville.