ADL Condemns Two Anti-Semitic Incidents in South Florida - One Week Before Hanukkah

Date: December 3, 2012

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemns two anti-Semitic incidents that occurred over the weekend in South Florida.  The words “Jews killed Jesus” were discovered in front of a very prominent Chabad Hanukkah display in Miami Beach on Saturday morning, and a large swastika next to the words “F*ck Kikes” were found spray-painted on Temple Beth Torah’s dumpster in Wellington this morning.

Yael Hershfield, ADL Florida Interim Director, issued the following statement:

“It is disheartening to see a religious display of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah stained with an ugly age-old canard that the ‘Jews killed Jesus’ – a deicide charge long since repudiated by the Catholic Church in 1965 when the Vatican Council issued Nostra Aetate. The Miami Beach Hanukkah display is located in an area with high foot traffic and has sadly been seen by many passers-by.  ADL denounces this anti-Semitic graffiti which has a clear communitywide impact.

We also condemn the anti-Semitic graffiti that tarnished Temple Beth Torah’s dumpster over the weekend.  Such bigotry is un-American and a sad reflection of those in our community who attempt to intimidate and offend religious groups through anti-Jewish vandalism.”

The Anti-Defamation League has been in touch with law enforcement regarding both of these anti-Semitic incidents and continues to communicate with and offer support to Temple Beth Torah and Chabad.

The Anti-Defamation League regularly distributes security materials for houses of worship – these materials are available through ADL’s web site: www.adl.org/security.  ADL’s security information and materials can also be obtained through the League’s regional offices around the country.  While these manuals include examples of security awareness issues within Jewish institutions, the security information is applicable to all institutions, regardless of religious denomination.  

ADL in the News

Sun-Sentinel: Anti-Semitic graffiti in Wellington, Miami Beach
CBS-12 West Palm Beach: Two anti-Semitic images pop up in South Florida
ABC-25 West Palm Beach: Police investigate two incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism
NBC-6 Miami: Rabbi, Community Respond to Anti-Semitic Graffiti on Hanukkah Menorah on Lincoln Road
NBC-5 West Palm Beach: Anti-Semitic graffiti incidents in Wellington, Miami Beach one week before Hanukkah
Miami Herald: ADL: Anti-Semitic graffiti in Miami Beach, Wellington
Arutz Sheva: Miami Vandals Try to Extinguish Light of Hanukkah
Palm Beach Post: Anti-Semitic graffiti painted on dumpster at a Wellington temple
UPI: Anti-Semitic graffiti reported in Florida
FOX-7 Miami: Miami Beach residents pray for religious tolerance
JewishJournal: Hateful incidents mar holiday