A Philadelphia synagogue has been vandalized twice in two days.
Rabbi Yousef Zarnighian says on Monday, a monument outside Congregation Mikveh Israel in Center City was vandalized with foul language.
Then early Tuesday morning, around 2:30 a.m., a dumpster fire was reported behind the synagogue, which the fire marshal ruled arson. All that remained was charred debris and broken glass from windows shattered by the flames.
“In the three years I’ve been here we haven’t had any serious attacks of any kind. It’s been peaceful, it’s been nice, it’s been wonderful. People are on edge with the elections, with the war in the Middle East right now. And so for it to hit home, it’s difficult,” Rabbi Zarnighian said.
The historic synagogue remains largely intact but there’s still concern.
“Trying to burn down any house of worship — whether it’s a synagogue, mosque, church, or temple of some sort — it’s a horrible thing and it’s something that should not be happening in our society,” said Jason Holtzman with the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia.