Graffiti investigated as hate crime

Anti-Semitic message was found on a temple

OAKLAND » A local synagogue preparing to celebrate Rosh Hashanah found anti- Semitic graffiti scrawled on the temple Thursday morning, but members covered the message of hate with words of peace and love.

Police said they are investigating the vandalism at Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., as a hate crime. The scrawled message covered about 10 feet of the lower portion of a wall on the Webster Street side of Temple Sinai.

“Hate crimes in our city are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” police spokeswoman Officer Johnna Watson said. “Oakland is a city that stands against hate and hate crimes.”

Soon after it was discovered, the black, spray- painted graffiti message was covered with white paper — in time for an 8:30 a.m. Rosh Hashanah service, celebrating the Jewish New Year. Security patrolled the grounds Thursday morning.

An easel outside urged those attending the service to “Coverwords of hate with words of love.” Templegoers added numerous messages, including “Standing in solidarity and love,” “Love overcomes all” and “We all belong. No hate.”

Sam Schuchat, president of the synagogue, stood outside the temple and said, “I’m pretty upset and I’m pretty disappointed.”

But noting that there have been similar acts of vandalism at other Jewish synagogues, Schuchat added, “I’m not surprised. I’d like to know the motivation for this.”

He said even though it is the season for forgiveness, he does not know yet if he can do that for the suspect. “It’s very upsetting to our members, some of whom are descendants of Holocaust victims and survivors.”

Oakland attorney Ivan Golde, who has attended services at the synagogue formore than 30 years, was not forgiving.

He called the hateful writing a “cowardly act done by someone in the middle of the night who wants to take away from a Jewish festive occasion. It’s just a shame that we all can’t get along and accept each other.”

The graffiti at Temple Sinai is the latest in a rash of hate crimes that have plagued the East Bay in recent weeks, including at Jewish synagogues in Alameda and Piedmont.

“While this is surely upsetting, this will not define our experience of coming together as a community,” the Temple Sinai’s Facebook post stated Thursday morning. “Our strength and resilience will sound through our voices in song and prayer.”

Police assigned officers to the temple on Thursday, and they were planning to be there all day, Watson said. Patrols in the area will increase in the days ahead.

Mayor Libby Schaaf said police are monitoring eight other locations in the city to ensure a safe Rosh Hashanah.

“Ignorance showed its face in Oakland today,” Schaaf said. “And our community responded with love.

“I strongly condemn the vulgar graffiti spraypainted on Temple Sinai, a house of worship in the heart of our city. The words were meant to harm our community. Instead, worshipers at the temple instantly taped paper over the vandalism, handed out pens and crayons, and invited all residents to ‘ cover words of hate with words of hope.’ ”

Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Members of the public who may have information on what happened may call police at 510-2383728 or Crime Stoppers at 510-777-8572.