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Bomb Explodes in Peoria Synagogue Building; Damage is Slight

October 15, 1958
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
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A bomb which police described as home-made exploded early this morning in a stairwell at the Anshe Emet synagogue here, causing slight damage.

Rabbi Joseph Ginsberg, spiritual leader of the congregation, said there had been no warning or any other indication that the synagogue had been marked as a bombing target. He said relations of the congregation with the Peoria community were excellent, and he could think of no reason why the attack should have occurred.

A police spokesman said “all the facilities at our command, along with State and Federal investigators, will be made available to solve this bombing.” It was learned that, 16 months ago, an unexploded bomb was found at the construction site of Peoria’s new synagogue. Several minors were questioned then, and are now being rounded up again.

Robert D. Gibbons, special agent in charge of the Springfield, Ill., FBI office, arrived in Peoria to aid in the investigation of the synagogue bombing. He met with Rabbi Ginsburg and Jewish leaders.

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