After the recitation of Kol Nidre and the Yom Kippur evening service, unidentified individuals broke into the Kol Haneshama congregation’s synagogue in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood and tore down the Pride flag displayed there. One suspect was arrested by police.
It was the second time the Pride flag had been torn down at the site, and the fourth incident targeting the Jerusalem Reform congregation in just over a month.
On the night between Saturday and Sunday, September 20, on the eve of Yom Kippur, an intruder tore a screen in the men’s restroom at the synagogue and threw a glass object, which shattered inside.
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A previous incident of vandalism at the synagogue
(Photo: Courtesy of the Kol HaNeshma community in Jerusalem)
Window broken in previous incident of vandalism
(Photo: Courtesy of the Kol HaNeshma community in Jerusalem)
About a month earlier, on August 16, youths smashed a window in the prayer hall, entered the building and tore down the rainbow flag associated with the LGBTQ community.
The violence escalated further on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, September 13, when an assailant threw eggs at worshippers as they left the synagogue. No one was injured. The incidents continued around Yom Kippur as well.
Vandals captured on a security canmera while smashing one of the synagogue's windows
(Photo: Courtesy of the Kol HaNeshma community in Jerusalem)
Man caught on camera throwing eggs at worshippers on Rosh Hashana while wrapped in a talit
(Photo: Courtesy of the Kol HaNeshma community in Jerusalem)
Complaints were filed with police in each case, and security camera footage was also handed over to investigators.
“Precisely on Yom Kippur night, after Kol Nidre, they broke into our synagogue and violently tore down the Pride flag. This is the fourth time in a month that our community has been targeted," said Anna Kislanski, CEO of the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism.
“This violence is fueled by systematic incitement against Reform Jews, including by elected officials. Those who portray us as traitors to Judaism are encouraging those who break into our synagogue," she said.
“We call on the police and authorities to treat this series of incidents with the utmost seriousness, protect the communities and bring those responsible to justice. We will not be deterred — our synagogues will remain open to everyone, and egalitarian prayer will continue,” she added.