A Menorah was vandalized at the Chabad Center of Elon University, and police are investigating it as a hate crime.
The Elon Police Department said it occurred Tuesday night around 10:16 p.m. at Chabad of Elon in North Carolina.
Police said video revealed a person stopped their vehicle in the roadway and then knocked over the large Menorah.
Elon police said, “We are saddened that this type of action was perpetrated in our community. Elon is a close-knit community that is accepting of all faiths and religions. This cowardly act is unacceptable and does not represent the Elon community or our community values. The Elon Police Department is working to bring the suspect to justice.”
Shliach Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz, Director of Chabad of Elon, said in response to the anti-Semitic act, “The Menorah is a symbol of light, and one which axiomatically represents our mission – to make and increase light in our surroundings.”
“This troubling incident only underscores once more that while the work of spreading light and kindness is making strides, still much more needs to be done so that darkness is banished entirely.
“Coupled with all the appropriate precautions we are forging forward in confidence, to make sure our work will continue with only more vigor and determination.”
Rabbi Minkowitz lives in the Chabad house with his wife and three children. In October 2019, a car outside the Chabad house was damaged by a gunshot during services to mark the end of Yom Kippur.
Minkowitz has received several phone calls of support from members of Elon University’s administration including President Connie Book and Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley.
Chabad is raising money to cover the damages done to the menorah. Minkowitz said that he is “warmed by the response” from students and parents after the incident.
If you have any information call the Elon Police Department at 336-584-1301 or Crime Stoppers at 336-229-7100.
