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13 Boys Arrested in Philadelphia for Damaging Local Syna Gogue

January 23, 1952
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Thirteen boys, aged from seven to 14, have been apprehended by the police here in connection with acts of vandalism resulting in destruction last week of the interior of the Benjamin F. Teller Memorial Synagogue here. Some of the youths are reported to have confessed to causing the destruction.

The boys gained access to the synagogue by smashing two windows. They broke up pews, demolished two seven-arm candelabras and tore up prayer books. Damage was estimated at $2,000. The congregation, composed mainly of refugees who found new homes in Philadelphia, had saved for 15 years to have its own synagogue and had acquired the building only last October. It numbers 450 members.

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