Though unconfirmed, it appears that a Santa Monica Synagogue has been the victim of an anti semitic hate crime on the first night of Chanukah no less. Amidst the cheer of Christmas Eve, sometimes the fact that it is also the first day of Chanukah can be overlooked. On Saturday night, the Living Torah Center, which is affiliated with the Orthodox Chabad faith, was vandalized before service the next day. Feces and various foods were smeared all over the synagogue. Unfortunately the vandalism wasn’t cleaned up in time before people started coming in for Chanukah service.

It is unclear why this synagogue was targeted but it is believed that one reason might be because they had a lit menorah in their window. The Jewish faith requires the menorah be placed in a window facing the outside to publicly announce faith to everyone. The window with the menorah was the most heavily vandalized part of the synagogue. Rabbi Boruch Rabinowitz who works with the synagogue claims that the attack was not random but so far has not elaborated on that statement. Rabbi Rabinowitz also works as a chaplain with the local police department.

This is the second anti semitic attack in the past few weeks. Back in November another synagogue was interrupted during service by a black man who shouted “Heil Hitler” while performing the Nazi salute. He then made a machine gun motion with his arms before fleeing. Though reported as a hate crime the perpetrator was never apprehended. The Jewish community in Santa Monica are appalled by the treatment in a traditionally very tolerant and open minded area.

As a reminder, we are currently in Chanukah also known as the festival of lights. This is a celebration of the successful Jewish revolt against Seleucid rule thousands of years ago. It also marks one of the many miracles that inspired the holiday also known as the miracle oil that was found in a holy temple that burned for 8 nights when it should only have lasted one.