The Brazilian Jewish community was shocked by the vandalism by two unidentified persons who invaded a nursery school in the Jewish quarter of Bom Retiro in Sao Paulo, and wrecked the school. The nursery, maintained by the Jewish philanthropic organization, Ofidas, takes care of 130 poor children, none of them Jewish, Mondays through Fridays.
The vandals invaded the nursery when it was closed last Saturday or Sunday. They destroyed the piano, a television set, dolls, the tables and desks. They smeared the walls with swastikas and obscenities. One undestroyed doll was left by them with the inscription “death” to the children.
Jewish community leaders believe the vandalism was on organized anti-Semitic act and the possible beginning of more anti-Semitic activities. The police department has launched on investigation, but some in the Jewish community recalled that none of those who committed anti-Semitic acts over the past years in Sao Paulo and the southern province of Rio Grande do Sul have been found.
The vandalism in the nursery school occurred at the same time as unidentified persons were destroying newsstands where leftist and opposition weeklies in general are on sale. Police believe that on extreme rightwing group is involved. (By David Markus)
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