BETHESDA, Md. — Congregation Beth El in Bethesda is the latest spot targeted in a series of vandalism incidents in Montgomery County.
On Tuesday, synagogue members were shocked to find graffiti on stairs going into the building, and across their sign showing hostages taken by Hamas during an October 7 attack in Israel.
The synagogue says this is the second time this has happened in less than two weeks.
“Vandalism is designed to cause fear, and we can’t be a community of fear,” said Beth El’s senior rabbi, Greg Harris. “This misguided person, that thinks that vandalism of public spaces is acceptable speech, that’s wrong.”
In the past two weeks, Montgomery County Police have gotten calls on eight separate incidents of hate speech graffiti, at synagogues, schools, and businesses — but it’s not just graffiti. Rabbi Harris says Bethesda United Methodist Church, just across the street, had its pride flag torn down, and it’s happening elsewhere too.
Montgomery County Police released a statement on Wednesday promising to thoroughly investigate these incidents. Police say they have also increased patrols around the area.
So far, a suspect hasn’t been identified. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Montgomery County Police as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Rabbi Harris is calling on the faith community to unite against these actions.
“This is a systemic problem that right now is pointed at us, but as a community we need to stand together to say that these acts of hatred are designed to intimidate and cause fear, and we will not be fearful,” he said.