Updated on Jan. 1: This story was updated to include information about Suburban Orthodox Congregation.
Israel-related signs and an Israeli flag were vandalized Thursday night at two Pikesville-area synagogues — Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and Suburban Orthodox Congregation.
Two outdoor signs at BHC, reading “We Stand with the People of Israel” and “Bring the Hostages Home,” were ripped.
These signs are the same ones that were vandalized and replaced earlier this month. On Dec. 10, one of the signs was ripped and the other stolen.
“I’m deeply disturbed but sadly not surprised, given the tenor of our country and the world at this moment,” BHC Rabbi Andrew Busch told the JT. “The thought that people will not allow others to have their own free speech, the thought that a synagogue’s property would be vandalized, the thought that there are people out there who are opposed to a message such as ‘Bring the Hostages Home’ — all of that is deeply disturbing.”
BHC filed a police report about the incident. Busch noted that the police responded quickly, as they did when the signs were vandalized the first time. BHC plans on replacing the signs again.
Nearby, an Israeli flag at Suburban Orthodox Congregation was also slashed, according to CBS News Baltimore.
“If you’re watching, you have not done anything to weaken our resolve,” Suburban Orthodox Rabbi Shmuel Silber said, according to CBS News Baltimore. “If you’re watching, the people who perpetrated this cowardly act, you’ve just made us stronger.”
According to Howard Libit, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, Baltimore County Police have indicated that they are going to increase patrols around the area and review camera footage, including from neighbors in the community who may have captured something.
“It is gratifying to know how seriously Baltimore County Police are taking this,” Libit said.
