On Wednesday and Thursday mornings February 15 and 16, two Jews were shot while leaving prayer services, allegedly by two different perpetrators. Additionally, the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) was vandalized with a Nazi swastika.
While both of the people who were shot are thankfully in stable condition, these crimes are deeply disturbing and cannot help but threaten our sense of security as a community. Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the attacks, and we will wait for the results of their investigation. However, antisemitism is on the rise and we must remain vigilant.
StandWithUs thanks the LAPD for increasing patrols to protect the Jewish community through the weekend, as they search for the suspects. We will share updates as we receive them.
In the meantime, we encourage you to:
1. Contact law enforcement immediately regarding any antisemitic incidents in your community. Please, if you see something, say something.
2. Reach out to StandWithUs for support:
https://www.standuptohatred.com/report
3. Follow Magen Am for updates, security resources for your synagogue, and other ways to help.
4. Urge Jewish institutions you are part of to take greater precautions to secure the safety of the institution, including added security if needed, and join the LA Jewish Federation’s Community Security Initiative:
https://www.jewishla.org/program/community-security-initiative/
Wishing you a safe Shabbat after this difficult week.
