THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 21, 1994 TAG: 9406210397
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SARAH HUNTLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940621 LENGTH: VIRGINIA BEACH
Police have no leads on the identities of the vandals, who spray-painted silver swastikas and the words ``Sieg Heil,'' followed by ``White Men Never Die,'' on the menorah and a sign at the corner of Rosemont Road and Stoneshore Road where the congregation's new synagogue will be built. The graffiti was discovered Friday night.
{REST} Police Chief Charles Wall pledged Monday to treat the incident as a serious offense.
``We have a fine community here, but I'm ashamed this would take place where I live and where I work,'' Wall said. ``I wish I could guarantee you we will find (the vandals). All I can guarantee is that we'll do our very best.''
Even without an arrest, the 35 citizens who gathered in the afternoon sun beneath the desecrated menorah vowed to strengthen their resolve against intolerance.
``Once again the shalom peace of our gracious community has been shattered. This is a painful reminder of the challenging tasks before us,'' said Rabbi Israel Zoberman. ``Let this inspire us to work as one, exposing bigotry and prejudice.''
Speaking of a proverb that teaches ``evil reigns when good people are silent,'' Bill Austin, pastor of the Virginia Beach Christian Church, urged the community to come together.
City councilman Robert Dean echoed his sentiments, saying, ``We want to be good neighbors. We all have to get together and form a handshake. This is not how it's done.''
Dean said he was all the more appalled by the act because it came so soon after Memorial Day and D-Day observances that honored fallen soldiers who fought for democracy.
``To me, this just waters it down and makes their purpose for dying seem to be naught,'' he said.
For the last eight years, the congregation has met at the Ascension Catholic Church. Construction is set to begin on a new home this September.
Members of the congregation in December erected the 10-foot, wooden menorah - a candelabrum with seven lights - as a symbol of hope. They plan to keep the symbol of Judaism standing until the building is completed.
The worshipers say neither this vandalism, nor a similar incident four years ago, will keep them away.
``Bigotry happens where people aren't. When you expose bigotry, it scurries away like cockroaches,'' lay cantor Jerry Griffin said. ``Hopefully, when we come out here and are a daily presence, we'll be a part of the neighborhood.''
{KEYWORDS} VANDALISM ANTI-SEMITISM
by CNB