SYDNEY, Australia (JTA) — A Jewish student who vandalized a Jews for Jesus branch in Sydney pleaded guilty.
Jaron Hoffenberg, 19, a graduate of Moriah College, was required to post a one-year good behavior bond after pleading guilty to malicious damage to property for throwing a brick through the window of the missionary center in Bondi on Jan. 29, according to a report in the Australian Jewish News.
Hoffenberg, a university engineering student, also urinated on the property during the offense, which was caught on closed circuit television.
Terence Abrams, Hoffenberg’s friend, also 19, also was charged with malicious damage to property and will appear in court on March 18.
Magistrate William Brydon said in court on Feb. 20, "There’s no doubt [Hoffenberg] is remorseful and contrite for his behavior. I accept that alcohol was a part of this, but people have to be responsible for themselves."
Hoffenberg has apologized for his behavior and paid for damage to the property.
Jews for Jesus national director Bob Mendelsohn said he accepted Hoffenberg’s apology.
"I’m not vindictive. He’s sorry. No need to keep shaming him," Mendelsohn was reported as saying.
The Jews for Jesus branch, which opened in 2004, had been vandalized previously several times.
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