THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508190049
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
Two 14-year-old boys accused of vandalizing a new synagogue were taken into custody by police at their homes, police reported Friday.
The Virginia Beach teens, who allegedly scratched swastikas and anti-Semitic messages onto three of the building's air conditioners, were released to their parents, said police spokesman Lou Thurston.
Police had received a tip that the teens were responsible for the vandalism to Beth Chaverim Synagogue, still under construction just off Rosemont Road in the Chimney Hill section, he said.
The boys live near the synagogue, Thurston said. They were not identified because they are minors.
``We know that those who have displayed these symbols of hate are misguided. We know that they will be punished,'' said Rabbi Israel Zoberman, the congregation's leader.
The boys' motivation for the vandalism was unclear to Zoberman, but he said he would welcome the opportunity to teach them more about Judaism.
The teens were charged with entering a building to do damage and with a hate-crime felony, Thurston said.
As police announced the arrests Friday, Zoberman, other Jewish, Catholic and Protestant clergy and about 150 members of the congregation gathered outside Beth Chaverim - translated as ``House of Friends'' - to denounce the vandalism.
Ralph Reed, Christian Coalition executive director, also attended.
``Religious intolerance against anyone is a threat to tolerance everywhere,'' Reed said. ``Today it may be directed at a rabbi and a synagogue. But tomorrow it may be directed at a Catholic priest, a Baptist church, an evangelical house of worship or a Muslim mosque.
``We have zero-tolerance for any acts of violence toward our Jewish brothers and sisters,'' said Reed, whose organization's headquarters is in Chesapeake.
Reed said the Christian Coalition will contribute $3,000 toward a reward for information leading to the arrests and convictions of the vandals. The Anti-Defamation League already offered $1,000.
Construction workers found the damage Thursday morning. Damage to the building has been estimated as high as $36,000.
Police said they think the boys were responsible for other damage and for stealing electrical wire from the construction site on Aug. 10.
They additionally were charged with larceny and burglary for that incident, Thurston said.
Federal charges also could be sought by the FBI, which investigates hate crime, Thurston said.
There is a possibility of jail time for each of the charges, he said.
``I would propose that those accused would visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington with their families,'' Zoberman said.
``They need to learn about the Jewish faith,'' he said while holding a 100-year-old Torah, from Czechoslovakia, that had survived the Holocaust.
During the gathering, 14-year-old Danielle Rosnov read a poem she had written after hearing about the vandalism.
``. . . Hate is a contagious disease,'' she read. ``Who else will be infected? . . ''
Zoberman then asked those who had gathered to join hands and sing ``Oseh Shalom,'' a prayer in Hebrew:
``May God who makes peace in the world make peace for all of us.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Rabbi Israel Zoberman
KEYWORDS: ANTI-SEMITISM VANDALISM by CNB