Olney, Maryland Synagogue Vandalized with Swastikas, anti-Semitic slogans, Death Threats

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

http://www.realcourage.org/2010/07/olney-maryland-synagogue/

On July 26, 2010, the B'nai Shalom Synagogue of Olney, Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC was vandalized by persons unknown spray painting swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans on the outside walls, parking lot and light posts. NBC Washington reported that the attack on the Olney, Maryland synagogue happened the night before parents were to drop off their children for a summer camp.

Attack on DC Area Olney, Maryland Synagogue with Nazi, White Supremacist Vandalism (Photo: NBC Washington)

See the NBC Washington video and NBC Washington report.

The Olney, Maryland synagogue was covered with swastikas on the outside and on the sidewalk, as well as spray painting of slurs against Jews. The anti-Semitic phrases, scrawled using black spray paint, included "work will set u free," a reference to a sign that hung over the Auschwitz concentration camp, and "Death 2 Zionists." The vandals also used German, writing phrases including "Juden raus," which means "Jews out" and was used by Nazis.

The spray-painted comments also included the phrase "Death 2 Zionists" and "14/88." 14/88 is a reference used by white supremacists. The "14" refers to the "14 words" promoted by white supremacists "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children," which was promoted by David Lane, a criminal leader of the white nationalist group The Order. The "88" refers to eighth letter of the alphabet, "H," and stands for "HH" or "Heil Hitler."

Olney, MD Synagogue: Death Threats, Promotion of Nazi and White Supremacists 14/88 Message (Photo: NBC Washington)

Debbie Kovalsky, synagogue president, said the damage is "heart wrenching to see."

The Jerusalem Post stated that "In addition to the synagogue vandalism, two homes in the area were also spray-painted with swastikas and other symbols." WJZ reports that "Police say two homes on Rolling Acres Way in Olney were vandalized, with swastikas and the symbols 'SS' spray-painted on the yards and trees."

The Maryland Gazette reported that "B'nai Shalom First Vice President Jeff Orenstein said he was expecting to find a couple of swastikas when officials received the call from police Monday morning about the graffiti. But the vandalism went well beyond that, he said. 'We were very shocked at how much more there was,' he said. 'It appears to us that this was more than a couple of kids that came by with a can of spray paint to play a prank. I think there is a lot more to this.' "

On July 28, 2010, the Maryland Gazette reported that "Faint outlines of hateful words and symbols still lingered outside of B'nai Shalom of Olney on Tuesday, despite the efforts of more than 200 people to clean up the graffiti that was found spray painted in black on the walls, parking lot and light poles Monday morning. The rest, synagogue President Debbie Kovalsky said, will have to be removed with a sand blaster. More than 500 people, including County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), attended a prayer service later that evening in a show of support for the synagogue. Clergy and parishioners from local churches and rabbis from synagogues in Rockville, Columbia and Baltimore also joined B'nai Shalom members."

Montgomery County police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Montgomery County Police ask anyone with information on the case to call 240-773-5500 and ask for the Investigative Services Division.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, including our universal human right of dignity, and our universal human rights of freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

We condemn such death threats, such vandalism and attacks against houses of worship as seeking to intimidate and spread fear among those seeking their universal human rights of freedom of worship. We reject the hate of Nazis and white supremacists, and we call up all those who hate to unburden the hate from their hearts.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate, Love Wins.