Vandal Sprays Anti-Semitic Graffiti At Lakewood Synagogue

LAKEWOOD, NJ — For the second time in nine months, Congregation Sons of Israel in Lakewood has been the target of anti-Semitic vandalism, Lakewood police said Monday.

Spray-painted graffiti was found at the synagogue, on Madison Avenue in Lakewood, about 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, Lakewood Detective Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith said. Officer Stephen Meyer said there were several misspelled anti-Semitic words and phrases written in red spray paint and on the Holocaust memorial monmunent on the grounds of the synagogue.

In addition, someone had spraypainted a red swastika on the door of a pickup truck in the parking lot, Staffordsmith said.

Police believe the incident happened sometime during the overnight hours of Friday into Saturday morning, he said.

As of Monday afternoon, no organized group had claimed responsibility for the vandalism, Staffordsmith said. Detective Michael Cavallo is investigating, he said.

Last June, an anti-Semitic banner was draped over the Holocaust memorial and fliers with hateful statements and rhetoric with photos of some of the township's residents who had been arrested on charges of Medicaid fraud were left at the synagogue and in other parts of town, and referenced a white supremacist website. Christopher Porrino, who was New Jersey's attorney general at the time, said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the vandals.

That incident does not appear to have been solved.

"Though the offending remarks have been removed, the investigation is ongoing," Staffordsmith said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Cavallo at 732-363-0200, ext. 5317.

Photos by The Lakewood Scoop; published with permission