A person was caught on camera Friday morning vandalizing the Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville, with antiSemitic graffiti and hateful slurs.
The vandalism has been reported to police, and Chabad UF plans to increase its security protocols.
“We will not be cowed by hate, but will in fact double our efforts to strengthen Judaism, advocate for Israel and continue to bring light and joy to the UF, SFC and Gainesville communities,” said Rabbi Berl Goldman, Director of the Center.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, who survived the evils of Bolshevik Russia, Nazi Germany, and Vichy France, famously said that the only effective response to anti-Semitism is to increase and strengthen Jewish activity and observance.
“Anti-Semitism is the oldest hatred in the world and is once again rearing it’s ugly head in the form of anti-Israel bias and hateful tropes, blaming the Jews using all sorts of lies and conspiracies. This is a repeat of the dark ages when such accusations and blood libels were used to blame the Jewish community for all sorts of grievances,” said Chanie Goldman, Co-director of the Center.
“We reported this vandalism and are in touch with the proper law enforcement agencies, regarding this hateful crime, and will pursue legal charges against the perpetrator. We also plan to increase our security protocols to ensure the safety of our Center’s participants, visitors, guests, employees, and staff.”
If anyone recognizes the person in the images, please contact Gainesville Police immediately and notify Rabbi Berl Goldman – Chabad UF.
