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Vandals sprayed swastikas and anti-Zionist graffiti across a mural at the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center in Southern California on Friday, defacing artwork built to comfort a community still recovering from the Eaton Fire.
“This mural was created after the Eaton Fire as a message of hope and solidarity for the entire Altadena community,” said Melissa Levy, executive director of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. “There is something particularly cruel about choosing a wall created to bring people together after devastating loss and using it as a canvas for hate. But we responded to hate with hope before, and we will do it again.”
Rabbi Josh Ratner of the center called the incident deplorable and shameful, adding that the congregation would not allow either attack to define the community.
“PJTC remains committed to rebuilding, to the safety and prosperity of our community, and to living our Jewish values openly and without fear,” Ratner said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the vandalism as a hate crime. “Crimes motivated by hate have no place in our community,” said Captain Ethan Marquez of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.
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