An Oak Park synagogue that is seeking to expand over the objections of some neighbors was defaced with graffiti, according to authorities.
“Get out of Oak Park,” was scrawled across a front wall of Chabad of Oak Park in California sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning, Rabbi Moshe Bryski said.
Bryski said he learned about the vandalism from another rabbi, who was notified by a neighbor. A Ventura County sheriff deputy was at the scene when Bryski arrived at the synagogue, a converted house in the 5900 block of Conifer Street.
“It’s tragic and it’s sad, and we have always felt part of the community,” Bryski said. “We are a part of the community, we will remain a part of the community and we will get through this.”
Deputies received the call about the vandalism at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Capt. Ross Bonfiglio said, adding that the painted scrawl constituted a misdeameanor vandalism that will be followed up. The graffiti does not constitute a hate crime, which hinges on the state of mind of a suspect.
Bryski believes the vandalism is tied to opposition to the Chabad’s request to change the terms of its conditional-use permit. The proposal is set to be reviewed Thursday by the Ventura County Planning Commission. The revisions would double the maximum number of people allowed at synagogue at one time, from 70 to 145, and expand the times people would be allowed there.
Chabad officials also are seeking a variance that would bring an enclosed patio that was built without county permission into compliance.
Some residents are protesting the proposed changes, saying it would create parking problems and increase traffic in the residential neighborhood. They have circulated petitions against Chabad of Oak Park’s plans.
“The shame of it is there have been so many opportunities to reach out and resolve any differences,” Bryski said. “The campaign of going to door to door, there are consequences that come about when mistruths are spread and this is very clearly a result of that.”
Lenore and Brad Lewis, who have opposed the expansion of the shtibl, or a small house of worship, said they were stunned by the vandalism.
“We are absolutely horrified that anybody would target any individual or organization because of their faith or life choices,” Lenore Lewis said. “We condemn it in the strongest possible terms. We hope the Sheriff’s Department aggressively investigates and prosecutes the perpetrators to the full extent of the law. As previously stated, we only want to maintain the small neighborhood shtibl we were promised. As Jews, we are double distressed that anyone would think of doing anything like that.”
In a statement released Tuesday, Chabad officials called the incident a rare occurrence in the years Chabad has been in the community. Synagogue officials said the majority of neighbors are supportive of Chabad’s presence in the community.
Chabad of Oak Park’s hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.
