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Attempt to Bomb Another Synagogue Frustrated in Philadelphia

February 13, 1952
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An attempt to bomb another synagogue was frustrated here last night by the timely discovery of a miniature “Molotov cocktail” placed against the door of the Beth Jacob Synagogue in West Philadelphia. Pasted on the incindiary was a piece of white paper bearing a crudely-drawn swastika.

At an interfaith meeting today, at which representatives of major Jewish organizations were present, District Attorney Dilworth said that his investigators had been unable to discover any evidence so far of any organized adult backing for the Nazi-like youth movement in the Olney High School. “Undoubtedly, however, there is some parental background, ” he added.

He said that three boys already in the House of Detention, including the two who admitted the arson attempt on B’nai Israel Synagogue, and two others who will probably be arrested within a few days, are all of German descent. The father of one, he added, was active in the Nazi movement here during the war years and committed suicide six years ago.

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