On the same day an arsonist torched a dumpster outside a historic Philadelphia synagogue that's older than the country a duo tried to break into the same Jewish congregation, police said. Those instances came just two days after a vandal was seen scrawling profanity on a statue outside.
"We're not fully aware of the individuals' intentions as of now," Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian said. "But, we do know that the condition that was caused in the dumpster was not an accident."
Zarnighian said Wednesday that he didn't believe the people had the intention of looting the congregation.
"They came here to intimidate us and to strike fear within the hearts of our congregants," Zarnighian said.
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A dumpster fire outside historic Congregation Mikveh Israel
Philadelphia police officers from the 9th District and city firefighters were called to Congregation Mikveh Israel along North 4th Street, near Market Street in the Old City neighborhood, around 2:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, for a dumpster on fire outside the building.
The fire damaged a nearby window before being extinguished, police said. You could see broken glass and charred debris littering the ground still on Wednesday.
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The fire marshal later determined it to be an arson, police said.
Philadelphia police released surveillance video that shows a man who appears to be thin with a beard, rummaging through the dumpster before flames begin to shoot into the air. The man wore a backwards blue hat, gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and gray sneakers and carried a backpack.
Police urged anyone who recognizes the man to call or text the police tipline at 215-686-8477. If you spot him, call 911 immediately, police said.
Duo tries to break into Mikveh Israel
Later on Wednesday, Philadelphia police released surveillance video showing two men trying to break through a fence and door to gain entry into the synagogue around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2024.
The men -- one with glasses around his neck while wearing a dark hat, white T-shirt, tan pants and dark shoes while carrying a backpack; and the other wearing all dark clothing and riding a small scooter -- can be seen looking at what appears to be the charred dumpster.
They then turn toward a gate and appear to be looking inside.
Just like in the dumpster fire incident, police urged anyone who recognizes the men to call or text the police tipline at 215-686-8477. If you spot either of them, call 911 immediately, police said.
Profanity left on religious statue outside historic synagogue
9th District officers on Tuesday learned that on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, "an unknown offender damaged a religious statue with a marker writing a profanity on it," police said.
Investigators said the vandal appeared to be a man with short hair who wore a white sweatshirt, dark pants and gray, blue and white sneakers. He could be seen carrying a tote bag as he approached the stone statue just before 11 p.m. Sunday.
Police didn't mention if the same person is believed to have committed any of the other acts.
The profanity could be seen scrawled on the monument Wednesday.
Police asked anyone with information to call or text the police tipline at 215-686-8477.
The latest in a string of antisemitic vandalism
At least 10,000 antisemitic incidents have been reported in the United States since Hamas' deadly Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on Israeli citizens and the deadly war in Gaza that has ensued, the Anti-Defamation League reported earlier this month.
"This is the highest number of incidents ever recorded in any single year period since ADL started tracking in 1979," the ADL said.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said these latest attacks on a synagogue were just the latest in a string of antisemitic hate targeting the shul.
"Over the past several months, Congregation Mikveh Israel, one of the nation's most historic synagogues, has been repeatedly targeted by acts of antisemitic vandalism," the Jewish Federation said in a prepared statement released Wednesday. Yesterday, these hateful attacks escalated into attempted arson."
"Let us be unequivocal: these are acts of antisemitism, a vile expression of Jew hatred that threatens not only the Jewish community but the very fabric of our American society."
"We are confident that the perpetrators of these despicable crimes will be brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the statement continued. "We, the Jewish community, call on public officials and our communal partners to stand united in condemning this abhorrent hatred.
"To those who seek to harm us: know that we will not stand idly by, shaken or fearful. We are a community of strength, resilience, and unwavering resolve. Adversity only strengthens our unity and our determination to overcome bigotry in all its forms."
A Jewish community that's older than the USA
Mikveh Israel dates back before the founding of the United States, making it one of the oldest synagogues in North America.
"Congregation Mikveh Israel, 'The Hope of Israel,' was founded in 1740 and is an unparalleled American Jewish Institution," the synagogue's website says. "It has a two-fold tradition that is the synthesis of the Spanish-Portuguese Jewish ritual and the ongoing development of the American Jewish community."
"As the 'Synagogue of the American Revolution,' Congregation Mikveh Israel, established in 1740, holds a distinguished place in both Philadelphia's and the nation's history," the Jewish Federation wrote. "It is the oldest continuous synagogue in the United States, with deep ties to our nation’s founding. This very congregation was among the first to reach out to George Washington upon his inauguration, receiving his blessings of protection."
The synagogue details its extensive history in Philadelphia on its website.
Editor's Note (Oct. 24, 2024, 2:08 p.m.): Philadelphia police clarified that the profane graffiti incident happened on Sunday, but they didn't make a report about it until Tuesday.
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