Natick residents to gather after swastika found
Event planned for this morning
A rabbi at the Chabad Center of Natick is calling on residents in his town to come together this morning to find peace after police identified a swastika spray painted near the West Natick MBTA station late Thursday.
Rabbi Levi Fogelman is asking residents to gather at 10:30 a.m. at Boden Lane Bridge, near where the swastika appeared. The group will then march to the Chabad Center at 10:45 a.m. for a celebration.
“The best way to stop darkness is to double our efforts with light and goodness,” Fogelman wrote in a Facebook post Friday. “We take control of our response with acts of positivity and pride. When negativity sees that all they accomplished was to strengthen us even more, it will lose.”
The Natick Police Department is investigating the incident and has increased presence in the area of the commuter rail stop, Fogelman said.
One resident took quick action by covering the image up with chalk, writing “Hate has no place here.”
Anti-Semitic reported incidents have been on the rise across Massachusetts and in New England over the past several years, hitting record highs in 2022, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
The ADL’s annual “Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents,” released last month, recorded a total of 204 antiSemitic incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism in New England last year — a 32% jump from 2021, and the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents ever reported.
Massachusetts accounted for 152 of those 204 recorded incidents, the sixth-highest number in the country.
“In light of the recent rise in anti-Semitic incidents both nationwide and locally, I want to extend my thoughts and solidarity to the Jewish community,” Natick Select Board Chairman Bruce Evans said in a statement Friday. “We’re not immune from despicable acts like this any more than any other community around the world.”
During the gathering at the Chabad Center of Natick, police officials say they will provide an update on the investigation and the steps the department is taking to prevent such acts from happening again.
The Natick Select Board is in the process of hiring a director of equity, inclusion and outreach, Evans said.
Town officials are leaving what Evans described as “beautiful chalk artwork,” featuring the “Hate has no place here” message and a rainbow flower, in place until Monday. At that time, the artwork will be painted over permanently.
A total of 71 cities and towns in Massachusetts saw at least one anti-Semitic incident last year, an increase from 54 towns in 2021, according to the ADL data.
“The purpose of an Anti-Semitic act such as this, is no doubt done to attempt to create intimidation and fear,” Fogelman said. “The reality is that Natick is a wonderful town with beautiful, kind hearted and good people. We are grateful to live in this environment and enjoy an atmosphere of peace and cohesion.”