Relics Heavily Damaged By Vandal Inside Sephardic Shul, Investigated as Hate crime

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – (California News Wire Services) – A vandal broke into a Beverly Hills synagogue founded by Iranian immigrants Saturday and caused significant damage to some items inside, authorities said.

It happened about 2 a.m. at the Nessah Synagogue at 142 South Roxford Dr., Beverly Hills Police Lt. Elisabeth Albanese said.

Investigators believe a lone suspect went through the Rexford/Elm alley south of Wilshire Boulevard and forced entry into the synagogue, Albanese said.

“The suspect then moved throughout the synagogue, heavily ransacking the interior. The suspect disrupted the furnishings, and contents of the synagogue by overturning furniture and distributing brochures and materials throughout the interior,” she said. “The suspect damaged several Jewish relics, but fortunately the synagogue’s main scrolls survived unscathed. The disruption was primarily to the synagogue’s interior contents, and there is very limited structural damage.”

@BeverlyHillsPD – The Beverly Hills Police Department is actively investigating a series of vandalisms that occurred in the City of Beverly Hills overnight at Nessah Synagogue. pic.twitter.com/vPnu6t4Awx

— Beverly Hills Police (@BeverlyHillsPD) December 14, 2019

It did not appear that any property was stolen during the crime and no one was inside so there were no injuries, Albanese said.

“Although police are investigating the crime as a hate crime, the suspect left no markings or other overt signs of anti-Semitism,” she said.

Surveillance video revealed that the suspect was white, 20-25 years old, with short dark curly hair, a thin build, possibly wearing prescription glasses, shorts, low-top shoes (possibly Pumas), and that he carried a backpack and pulled a rolling suitcase, Albanese said. In one surveillance photo released by police, the suspect appeared to be smiling as he looked into the camera.

“The synagogue plans to initiate clean-up efforts immediately and re- open the synagogue tomorrow,” she said.

The investigation continued.

“This cowardly attack hits at the heart of who we are as a community,” Beverly Hills Mayor John Mirisch said. “It is not just an attack on the Jewish Community of Beverly Hills — it’s an attack on all of us. The entire city stands in solidarity behind Nessah, its members and congregants.

“We are committed to catching the criminal who desecrated a holy place on Shabbat of all days and bringing him to justice. We are equally committed that our city will continue to be a welcoming place for Jews and for members of all religions and groups,” Mirisch said.

Congregation members reacted on social media. Leeor Ely posted on Facebook: “I am BEYOND outraged and sick to my stomach right now. My local synagogue, the synagogue I was raised in where I celebrated all of the biggest moments in my life, the synagogue my late grandfather helped create, Nessah Synagogue, was the victim of a disgusting hate crime and vandalized last night,” Ely said.

According to its web site, Nessah Synagogue was founded by Rabbi David Shofet “and the Iranian Jews of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills,” and “upholds the traditions and customs of Iranian Jews according to Orthodox, Sephardic Halacha.”

—City News Service