Philadelphia police investigate arson outside Congregation Mikveh Israel in Old City

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A synagogue in Philadelphia was vandalized twice in two days.

Rabbi Yosef Zarnighian said Monday that a monument outside Congregation Mikve Israel in the Old City was blasphemously vandalized.

Then, early Tuesday morning, around 2:30 a.m., a fire was reported to have broken out in a dumpster behind the synagogue, which the fire chief ruled was arson. All that remained was the charred debris and broken glass of windows shattered by the flames.

“We haven’t had any serious attacks in the three years I’ve been here. It’s been peaceful, it’s been nice, it’s been great. People are on edge because of the elections and the war in the Middle East, right? “And so it’s hard to get there,” Rabbi Zarnighian said.

Although the historic synagogue remains largely intact, there are still concerns.

“Trying to burn down any place of worship – whether it’s a synagogue, a mosque, a church or a temple – that’s a terrible thing and something that shouldn’t happen in our society,” said Jason Holtzman, a Jew. Philadelphia Federation.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, incidents of antisemitism in the United States have slowly increased over the past 10 years; In 2023, there was a sharp increase with Hamas’ attack on Israel.

But the rabbi, along with Holtzman, says the community’s determination is stronger than any harm anyone might try to do.

“Those responsible for such attacks want us all to stay underground, to lock ourselves in our homes, and some want there to be no Jews left there anymore, and that’s not going to happen.” Holtzman said.

The investigation is ongoing and police have security camera footage.

No arrests were made.