Congregation Mikveh Israel in Old City, the longest continuously operating synagogue in the United States, was attacked by vandals in three separate incidents on Oct. 22, according to Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian and police and media reports.
The first was a dumpster fire outside the synagogue, discovered around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday morning and now considered an arson by police. That was followed by two people attempting to break into the synagogue around 6:30 a.m. And minutes before 11 p.m. later that night, police found that “an unknown offender damaged a religious statue with a marker writing a profanity on it,” per a report from NBC10.
All of the offenders were believed to be men. The fire damaged a window but nothing else. The duo that attempted the break-in did not gain entry.
Surveillance video captured each incident. Anyone with information can call or text the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-8477.
“We are obviously heartbroken and very upset. We don’t know if they’re connected,” said Rabbi Zarnighian.
The rabbi, who took over for Albert Gabbai in 2023, explained that congregants have had mixed reactions.
“There are people who are pretty shaken up by it and it’s upsetting them. But I think the general sense is these are a bunch of good-for-nothing, evil people who are trying to intimidate and scare us. They’re obviously failing,” he said.
Zarnighian described these attacks on the Jewish community as a reason for it to come together. This weekend for Simchat Torah, Mikveh Israel will.
A Shabbat service will be followed by an ice cream party.
“Simchat Torah, which we’re going to be celebrating, is one of the ultimate holidays which brings about unity for the Jewish people,” the rabbi said.
Zarnighian also feels confident in the synagogue’s security measures in the wake of these incidents. After all, they worked. The offenders were caught on camera.
“The cameras we have on site, the fencing we have on site, the motion detectors we have,” he said. “Thank God it worked. We’re definitely going to brainstorm at our next board meeting to see what we can do to improve.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia also condemned the perpetrators:
“Let us be unequivocal: these are acts of antisemitism, a vile expression of Jew hatred that threatens not only the Jewish community but the very fabric of our American society,” the Federation’s statement read. “As the ‘Synagogue of the American Revolution,’ Congregation Mikveh Israel, established in 1740, holds a distinguished place in both Philadelphia’s and the nation’s history. It is the oldest continuous synagogue in the United States, with deep ties to our nation’s founding. This very congregation was among the first to reach out to George Washington upon his inauguration, receiving his blessings of protection. We are confident that the perpetrators of these despicable crimes will be brought to justice and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We, the Jewish community, call on public officials and our communal partners to stand united in condemning this abhorrent hatred.”