Children of Jacob, a Springfield synagogue, has experienced “thousands” of dollars in vandalism, including smashed windows and damage to exterior signage.
Children of Jacob Rabbi Jeff Friedman told the News-Leader that upon arriving at the synagogue on Tuesday morning, he saw two smashed windows in the synagogue’s teen area. Initially, he thought the damage was caused by local “juvenile delinquents.” An hour or two later, Friedman stepped outside the front of the synagogue and saw that two of the building’s signs were vandalized, too.
Located at 1330 E. Seminole St., Children of Jacob is a Messianic Jewish congregation, a modern movement of Christianity that incorporates elements of Judaism. Friedman said the Springfield congregation is made up of about 50 people.
One of the signs, which previously was fastened to the synagogue’s exterior, had been ripped from the wall and dragged about 100 feet away into the bushes, Friedman said. He also found a wrench beside the sign. The synagogue’s other, larger sign, which is “right along Seminole,” Friedman said, was also damaged. Friedman said he quickly reported the damage to the police. A Springfield Police Department spokesperson confirmed that a report was filed at around 11:12 a.m. Tuesday.