Boca Raton, FL…February 16, 2010…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemns last night's alleged anti-Semitic hate crime against Temple Beth El in Boca Raton.  ADL has been in communication with Temple Beth El as well as with the Boca Raton Police Department, which is actively investigating the matter.

Andrew L. Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director issued the following statement:  

When a synagogue is vandalized and anti-Semitic slurs are scrawled on synagogue property in the heart of Boca Raton where a large Jewish community resides, it's a reminder that anti-Semitism remains a current event here in our backyard.

 

Attacks against houses of worship attempt to threaten, intimidate and harass entire communities, not just the Jewish community.  Such cowardly acts are un-American and we hope that that the community will stand up to condemn this anti-Semitic hate crime and send a clear message to the perpetrators that hatred and bigotry will not be tolerated in Boca Raton.  

The Anti-Defamation League regularly distributes security materials for houses of worship – these materials are available through ADL's web site: www.adl.org/security.  ADL's security information and materials can also be obtained through the League's 28 regional offices.  While these manuals include examples of security awareness issues within Jewish institutions, the security information is applicable to all institutions, regardless of religious denomination.