CPD says hate crime charges could be pending after Jewish school, synagogue in Chicago vandalized

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police mentioned prices might be pending towards an individual of curiosity in a case involving vandalism on the Far North Aspect at at the very least six places, together with a synagogue and a Jewish faculty.

Investigators mentioned at round 4:40 p.m. Sunday, somebody spray-painted graffiti on the F.R.E.E. Synagogue within the 2900-block of West Devon Avenue.

Police remained on scene for a while after members of the synagogue found yellow swastikas painted on the surface wall.

“So we had been inside packing meals as we do each week, a whole bunch of meals for households in want, for Holocaust survivors and Russian seniors, and, as we come outdoors ending that, we see a swastika on our constructing,” mentioned Rabbi Levi Notik of Synagogue F.R.E.E., which stands for “Associates of Refugees from Jap Europe.”

As they tried to make sense of the hateful vandalism, a congregant walked in shaken, saying he had been assaulted by a person as he was heading into Jewish providers.

“He got here in after the very fact. He was very shaken. Apparently someone jumped him and yelled racial slurs,” Rabbi Notik mentioned. “Regulation enforcement has been wonderful. We thank God his accidents are very minor. And thank God nobody was critically damage.”

Police mentioned the identical particular person then walked a block and spray-painted hate symbols on a cargo container at a Jewish highschool. Police had been on the scene of one other Jewish faculty in the identical space later.

RELATED: Chicago-area synagogues ramp up safety measures in response to TX hostage state of affairs

There have been six incidents within the space over the weekend. Police mentioned they’re questioning an individual of curiosity, however they haven’t mentioned if the entire incidents, simply blocks aside in Rogers Park, are linked. CPD seem assured that this particular person is answerable for some, if not all, of the weekend incidents.

However police mentioned prices could take some time longer to be filed, each due to the quantity of proof detectives are nonetheless going by means of and due to the character of charging a hate crime.

Alderman Debra Silverstein of the fiftieth Ward has been reaching out to native companies to verify they’re on alert.

“Hate has no place in in our neighborhood, and we won’t tolerate it,” Silverstein mentioned. “The group could be very upset, very involved. We’re trying to the police.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot met with a bunch of Rogers Park rabbis and different Jewish leaders Monday night time, addressing their considerations concerning the incidents.

“Doing nothing shouldn’t be an possibility. Primarily based upon, what we have now recognized to date, this particular person has induced a variety of hurt,” Lightfoot mentioned.

On Saturday, Kol Tuv Kosher Meals had a window smashed, and proper subsequent door the entrance door of Tel-Aviv Kosher Bakery was shattered. Proprietor Walter Richtman was livid.

“The particular person, whoever did it, has to grasp we’re all the identical individuals; we’re all God’s individuals,” he mentioned. “We have to be handled equally.”

The entire incidents occurred round or close to the 2900-block of West Devon Avenue, a neighborhood filled with Jewish institutions, they usually came about simply days after Holocaust Remembrance Day.

RELATED: Texas synagogue survivors educated by Chicago-based Safe Group Community

“That is the American Jewish expertise today,” mentioned David Goldenberg of the Anti-Defamation League. “I can’t think about a time once I’m going to stroll right into a synagogue once more and never cross an armed safety guard for providers.”

In line with the ADL, anti-Semitic incidents elevated by 84% within the Midwest between 2016 and 2020.

“The way in which that may overcome this hate, the best way that we’ll get by means of this darkness is thru goodness,” Rabbi Notik mentioned. “By positivity and kindness — mild is the reply.”

Considerations concerning the collection of incidents runs excessive, particularly within the wake of the current hostage state of affairs in Texas.

“We’re not going to be afraid,” Richtman mentioned. “We’re not going to run. We’re gonna stand. Issues are gonna hold going. We’re gonna be extra vigilant. We’ll be careful to see if one thing’s taking place, however we’re not going to vary what we’re doing.”

The rabbi with F.R.E.E. synagogue mentioned there are cameras all around the constructing, however they didn’t catch the crimes happening.

In the meantime, Alderman Silverstein mentioned police are on the lookout for any video proof from companies within the space.

FULL STATEMENT FROM MAYOR LORI E. LIGHTFOOT

I’m deeply upset to study {that a} native synagogue, a faculty, and companies had been vandalized over the weekend-some with symbols of hate and anti-Semitism. These crimes are undoubtedly part of the troubling rise in anti-Semitism that we’ve seen each in our metropolis and throughout the nation. Make no mistake: this assault, in addition to the deep hatred and bigotry that drives different anti-Semitic acts prefer it, is an assault on our metropolis’s Jewish group and social cloth. These accountable have to be held accountable. An arrest has been made and the police are working diligently to assemble proof to help prices. As Chicagoans and as Individuals, it’s our duty to name hate speech and acts out and shield our Jewish brothers and sisters who endure this hatred yr after yr. With out our decided and collective motion, anti-Semitism will proceed to thrive. That’s why we should renew our dedication to constructing a group constructed with love and goal and excise the bigots that trigger and profit from hate.