Boise police are investigating vandalism at the Chabad Jewish Center of Idaho on the 3800 block of State Street.
According to Boise police Lt. Kent Lipple, the graffiti was reported early Saturday. The graffiti reads “Zionism = Racism,” Lipple said.
The incident was reported to detectives. Lipple said he would characterize the vandalism as a hate crime because it was specific to religion and not typical graffiti.
“We don’t get many of those, it might be an isolated incident,” Lipple said. “I hope it is.”
Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz with Chabad Jewish Center called the graffiti a hate message. Since local media reported the vandalism, the community has reached out in support in phone calls, e-mails and people coming to the door, Lifshitz said.
“It leads us to believe this is the exception and not the rule,” Lifshitz said. “We will stand strong against these types of crimes.”
The center is taking steps to enhance security and plans a clean-up event as soon as Monday, Lifshitz said.
The message and the graffiti is “terrible, it’s deplorable, but the overwhelming majority of the community stands in solidarity with us,” Lifshitz said.
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get cameras up-
i loved her pronouncing it “sha” baad
It’s important to report that there was an antisemitic attack on the chabad house, but do we need to give the vandal a platform to spread his hateful message?
Dear Shluchim of the Rebbe in Boise, Idaho. I was just there in May and I saw the beautiful Yiddishkeit that you are disseminating. The delicious Lifshitz children speak a beautiful Yiddish. The Shlucha has a permanent welcoming smile on her face regardless of what is taking or not taking place. A gevaldike Chabad House in the middle of no-where. I am sure the Rebbe is schepping so much Nachas from you. May Hashem protect you and may you have continued Hatzlacha Muflaga in your holy Shlichus and I am sending you $100.00 in the hope of starting a trend.… Read more »
Homeland Security is only funding 22 States (including DC) for the FY2011 security grant. Idaho is not one of them & the deadline for applications was Thursday night. It’s a disgrace that funding is so reduced this year.
Rabbi Lifschitz, you need to take this further. Just looking at the pictures I can see your facility is very vulnerable to attack.