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Maryland synagogue vandalized

July 27, 2010

(JTA) -- A Maryland synagogue was vandalized with swastikas and anti-Semitic epithets.

The vandalism discovered Monday morning at B'nai Shalom Synagogue in Olney, located about 20 miles north of Washington, D.C., was spray-painted on the building's walls, parking lot and light posts, the Washington Post reported.

The anti-Semitic phrases included "Juden raus," German for "Jews out" and used by the Nazis; "work will set u free," which was written on the sign over the Auschwitz death camp; and "Death 2 Zionists."

A pile of coins also was left at the door, possibly an indication that Jews are money hungry, NBC Washington reported.

"We will heal, but this should not be tolerated in any community," synagogue president Debbie Kovalsky told Gazette.net, a community publication.

Montgomery County police are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime, according to reports.

The Anti-Defamation League condemned the vandalism.

"This crude and bigoted attack on a Jewish house of worship is despicable and must be recognized as an attack on the entire community," said Sophie Dornstreich, ADL assistant director for the ADL's Washington Region, in a statement released Monday. "When found, the perpetrators of these cowardly acts should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
 

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