Police Investigating Synagogue Vandalism

May 2, 2004

Source: Metroland-Durham Region Media Group

http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/oshawa/story/1875369p-2188713c.html

On May 2, 2004 Metroland-Durham Region Media Group reported, "Durham police are investigating a hate crime in which the city's only synagogue was defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti. Markings made on the 50-year-old King Street East building, which belongs to the Beth Zion Congregation, were made in black permanent marker and include a large swastika on the Second World War memorial cornerstone dedicated to victims of the Holocaust. Other terms, such as 'SS,' 'Gestapo' and 'Einsatzgruppen' were written on a utility shed behind the synagogue and refer to specific Nazi organizations dedicated to the murder of European Jews. Bernie Farber, executive director of the Ontario branch of the Canadian Jewish Congress, came to Oshawa from Toronto Friday to show support to the local congregation. 'Crimes like this one are more than misguided,' he said. 'Breaking a window, that's misguided, but to scrawl a swastika on a memorial meant to mourn six million people, that's hateful. I think they know that full well. I think they planned this and used words only an anti-Semite might know, words they know would bring specific pain to the Jewish community.'"