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Police have arrested a man in connection with an arson attack that damaged San Francisco Hillel on December 5, while students prepared for Shabbat inside the building.
Investigators said the suspect ignited a dumpster outside the facility. Flames and smoke moved quickly into the structure. No one inside suffered injuries. Even so, the damage forced an immediate closure.
Smoke filled much of the building and caused extensive interior damage. The fire also damaged plumbing systems. Specialists are now examining the Torah scrolls to determine whether smoke exposure caused harm.
Arrest Made as Damage Assessment Continues
Hillel confirmed this week that authorities classified the incident as arson. The San Francisco Police Department arrested a suspect and continues its investigation.
Students and staff have not returned to the building. Safety inspectors and contractors remain on site to assess structural conditions. According to Hillel, the fire destroyed most materials used for student programming, disrupting religious life and student activities.
University Support and a Pattern of Targeting
Hillel praised San Francisco State University’s administration for its response following the attack and described university officials as “amazingly supportive.”
The Hillel building also faced targeting last year. Vandals defaced the property with extremist slogans, including the word “Khaybar,” a reference linked to historic violence against Jewish communities.
Today, chants invoking “Khaybar” appear regularly at anti-Israel demonstrations and function as explicit threats against Jews and Jewish institutions.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
