(NewsNation Now) — Police are investigating vandalism and antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas, that appeared over the weekend at a Chicago synagogue and affiliated Jewish school.
The incidents occurred Sunday at the FREE Synagogue and Hanna Sacks Bais Yaakov High School. Officers were questioning one person of interest.
It was originally reported that the suspect tackled a male victim to the ground before fleeing. Detectives later discovered that the assault was verbal and the victim was uninjured, according to the Chicago Police Department.
“It’s tough but at the same time we’re strong and we’re positive and with goodness we’ll overcome it,” Rabbi Levi Notik said. “Thank God everyone is fine. Thank God everyone is safe.”
Notik also services as the director for FREE’s Bubby Fira Food Bank. He and other volunteers were packing meals for Holocaust survivors when they discovered the vandalism.
The reports in Chicago come at a time when the U.S. is experiencing a rise in antisemitic acts.
In 2020, the U.S. saw a 40% increase in reported incidents at places including synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish schools, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
That same year, nearly 60% of all religiously motivated attacks targeted Jews and Jewish institutions, according to FBI hate crime statistics.
Vandalism also occurred at a synagogue in Lincolnwood, WMAQ-TV reported.
A Jewish group, the Concerned Citizens League, said windows were broken Saturday at a Chicago bakery and a Kosher food store. Nothing was taken.
“No official pronouncement has been made on a possible motive, but these have all the hallmarks of hate-based crimes,” said Debra Silverstein, a member of the Chicago City Council.
Incidents like the Jan. 15 hostage situation and Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas have prompted many Jewish communities to take extra security measures.
Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker credited security training for allowing him and three other hostages to make it through the 10-hour standoff in Colleyville.
FREE Synagogue has its own safeguards including a security team, training and a working relationship with law enforcement, Notik said.
But the rabbi and his community have chosen respond to the weekend’s antisemitic acts with love, coming together to pack additional meals for Holocaust survivors, he said.
“Unfortunately antisemitism does rear its ugly head sometimes,” Notik said. “We have to combat that with kindness, positivity and good.”
