CHICAGO, IL, February 13, 2006 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today decried the vandalism of an Uptown Chicago synagogue, which was discovered this morning. Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation was defaced with swastikas and anti-Semitic writings.

Lonnie Nasatir, Director of ADL's Greater Chicago/Upper Midwest Office, issued the following statement:

The Anti-Defamation League condemns in the strongest terms the anti-Semitic vandalism of Agudas Achim. Such hate has no place here in Chicago and runs counter to our city's values of acceptance and respect for differences.

We know that Chicago Police are properly investigating this incident as a hate crime. We encourage anyone with information about this vandalism to come forward.

ADL has been in contact with Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz of Agudas Achim and with the Chicago Police regarding this incident. Nasatir also encouraged Jewish institutions to consult ADL's Security Awareness information, available at www.adl.org/security.

The vandalism of Agudas Achim is the fourth incident of anti-Semitic vandalism in Greater Chicago since the beginning of the year. In separate incidents in January, anti-Semitic graffiti was found at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and in Blue Island.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.