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Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Although displayed in October 2021 for an Inclusive Westwood demonstration in response to the death of George Floyd, this sign also demonstrates a Westwood community member's stand against hate.
1-12-2023 1:08am
Temple Beth David's Rabbi Citrin Responds to Anti-Semitic Symbol with Openness, Calling for Unity, Inclusion, and Tolerance
Darlene Cancell
Editor
On Thursday, January 10, 2023, Westwood’s Temple Beth David community received a letter from the temple’s leadership, informing them that “an incident of targeted anti-Semitic vandalism” had been discovered in the temple’s parking lot on December 22, 2022. On the parking sign labelled, “Rabbi,” to mark the rabbi’s parking space, two swastikas were discovered.
“The sign has been posted in the parking lot for several years and the etching is faint,” stated Rabbi Karen Citrin, Director of Operations Brett Hausler and President Tim Holiner in their letter addressed to the "Temple Beth David Community." They noted that exactly when the swastikas were etched on to the sign is unknown.
In history to present day, the swastika has been used and interpreted as a symbol of hate toward Jews and others. The swastikas at Temple Beth David were discovered during Hanukkah last year, in the quiet time around Christmas and winter break.
Given this timing, Temple Beth David leadership paused to determine the best way to share the information. While some town staff were made aware of the incident, it wasn’t until Friday, January 6th that temple leadership officially logged a formal complaint with Westwood Police.
The etchings have been described by police as not readily apparent without close examination. Rabbi Citrin describes them as not made by marker, but possibly being made by a tool scratching at the white parking sign.
Even if faint, however, the swastika is disturbing anywhere it appears, explains Rabbi Citrin. In the past, it has appeared at Westwood’s high school and middle school, which has been upsetting. “But the power of it appearing at a synagogue, on the rabbi parking spot. . . this was clearly targeted and anti-Semitic,” says Rabbi Citrin. The sign is now in the possession of Westwood Police.
Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Pictured is the entrance to Temple Beth David, which faces the parking lot where the vandalized sign was discovered.Temple Beth David leadership has met with Westwood Police Chief Jeffrey Silva and staff, the Anti-Defamation League New England, Secure Community Network and Combined Jewish Philanthropies Communal Security Initiative, an organization with experienced community security network professionals. These community partners have all affirmed and reassured Temple Beth David leadership that the vandalism was likely an isolated event, and not an example of widespread anti-Semitism in the community, says Rabbi Citrin.
“That’s good news. As a rabbi also living in Westwood, I do not fear or feel that there is any increased risk to the safety and security of the Jewish community,” she says.
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Rabbi Citrin recognizes, however, that in the much larger picture, there has been an increase of anti-Semitism in the country. The reality for Jewish communities in these times can mean having police security at all major services and events. For example, at October’s Interfaith Mini-Walk for Hunger, an annual event that the temple hosts with participation from Westwood and beyond, police presence was easily noticed. Officers were seen in their vehicles, repeatedly patrolling portions of the route. They were on hand in and around the synagogue, not only to direct traffic, but also to provide security.
Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. A crowd gathers in the area between the Temple Beth David synagogue and parking lot, at the 2021 Interfaith Mini-Walk for Hunger. In 2022, the event was staffed with police security.Connie Rizoli, co-organizer of the Interfaith Walk for Hunger, is also a member of Temple Beth David’s Executive Committee. She says, “Although this incident is disturbing, we know that it is not reflective of the Town of Westwood. Our community continues to thrive in an atmosphere of interfaith cooperation and fellowship.”
“That is an unfortunate reality that we are living in,” says Rabbi Citrin. And I just believe, all the more so, that we need strong partnerships here in our town to stand up against all forms of hate and to unite in spreading the message of inclusivity and tolerance and affirmation of all forms of diversity, whether that’s religion, race, gender - everything.”
“While we don't want to draw attention to such a negative act, it is important that the community know this happened, especially so that we can continue to strengthen our relationships and unite in standing up against all symbols and forms of hate,” added Rabbi Citrin in a written statement to Westwood Minute following her interview.
“I am grateful for our strong partnership with Chief Silva and the Westwood Police, other local security networks, and the other Westwood faith communities,” the rabbi continues. When Rabbi Citrin informed Westwood clergy, she says they uniformly responded with prayers and support.
“I am grateful for the messages of support and love that we have received following this very unfortunate incident. At Temple Beth David, we will continue to be a vibrant place of prayer, learning, and gathering for the Jewish community, as well as continuing to open our doors to our neighbors in faith,” Rabbi Citrin states.
Thanks to Rabbi Karen Citrin and Connie Rizoli for speaking with Westwood Minute.
