BEVERLY, MASS. (WHDH) - The rabbi of Beverly’s only Jewish synagogue is speaking out after an act of vandalism.
Someone spray painted the words “Merry Christmas” and a dollar sign on the back of Temple B’Nai Abraham over the weekend.
In a joint statement, the temple’s rabbi and president called it a hate crime and said it was more “stupid than vile,” but said it still needs to be taken seriously.
The chief of police is part of a city human rights commission and said this is being treated as a hate crime.
“We want to make sure that everyone realizes that we, we are taking this very seriously ,” Chief John Lelacheur said. “We are going to follow up on it.”
The temple is partnering with the anti-defamation league to host a community conversation next week.
The graffiti has been removed.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)