A synagogue in San Antonio, Texas which has strong links to Christians United for Israel, has been targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti and vandalism. More than 30 vehicles and buildings were vandalised on Wednesday morning with anti-Semitic and hateful messages.
CUFI Founder, John Hagee, met with Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg to view the destruction, which took place a short distance from CUFI’s international headquarters. Over thirty vehicles and buildings had anti-Semitic or hate filled messages daubed on them. One vehicle had its windows smashed with a rock, and the word ‘JEW’ spray painted on the driver side door and a monument dedicating a garden to victims of the Holocaust had a swastika spray painted onto it.
Congregation Rodfei Sholom serves around 300 Jewish families in a tightly knit, mainly Jewish community. The vandalism took place at the synagogue and on Shalom Street, which is at the heart of the neighbourhood.
When congregants went to synagogue early Wednesday morning, their neighbourhood was clean and peaceful as usual. However, while they had attended morning prayers, anti-Semites had been at work. At 7am as congregants left synagogue for home and work, they made the discovery that their peaceful neighbourhood had been targeted.
“This is not something we’re used to deal with,” said Howard Feinberg, a board member of the synagogue. “(We are) outraged that in this day and age there are people who still live in their own minds and own worlds where it seems to be OK to hate people based on their religion,” he told the Times-Picayune newspaper.
“This gives us a chance to reflect on all the good that happens in our community, and our message of combating intolerance on every level.”
Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, has been a friend of Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg for over 34 years. Rabbi Scheinberg has been involved with CUFI since its inception: “Rabbi’s Godly influence was crucial in the birth and development of the Night to Honour Israel which led to the establishment of Christians United for Israel,” says Pastor Hagee in a statement about the attack. “We consider this anti-Semitic attack an assault on both Christians and Jews. This act of hatred is an affront on all people of faith. Anti-Semitism is an abomination and we must unequivocally confront it whenever and wherever it is found.”
Watch the video of Pastor John Hagee meeting with Rabbi Scheinberg the morning it happened.
Rabbi Scheinberg told News Radio 1200 WOAI, “I want to tell those who did this that you have done something destructive. Your life could be much better if you could have more love than hate. We’re sorry for you; we are sorry the way you express your life.
“We will not be intimidated,” he said. “In Israel, where they have real terrorist incidents, they immediately clean it up and go on with their lives.”
At CUFI UK we are saddened that an attack like this took place in San Antonio and to a community with which our organisation has such a great love for and friendship with. We will be praying for our Jewish friends, for protection in their community and peace in their hearts.
May God use this incident as a driving force to combat anti-Semitism. As Pastor Hagee says, “If a line has to be drawn, draw it around both Christians and Jews, we are united.”
Christians United for Israel UK
CUFI UK has an ongoing campaign to combat anti-Semitism. Click here to sign our petition, “Christians Against Anti-Semitism” and take a stand against this hatred.