The mayors of both South Orange and Maplewood have condemned vandalism involving antisemitic graffiti at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange on Sunday.
“Dear Neighbors, It is with a heavy heart that I share an unsettling incident that occurred earlier today,” wrote South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum on Facebook on January 26. “A group of protesters gathered outside one of our local synagogues, and along with chants (protected by the First Amendment), individuals within the group took it a step further and trespassed onto private property. They defaced the driveway with a hateful message, specifically ‘Terrorists This Way,’ along with an arrow pointing toward the synagogue.”
Collum continued, “This act of intolerance is deeply disturbing and has no place in our community. We must come together, united in our commitment to stand against hate, bigotry, and discrimination in all forms. This is not just an attack on one group; it is an attack on the values that bind us all as neighbors.”
Collum reported that the South Orange Police and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit are investigating the incident as a bias crime, and had already “identified an individual(s) of interest. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses” from South Orange Police Chief Ernesto Morillo.
“I ask that we all remain vigilant and continue to foster an environment of respect, inclusion, and support for one another,” Collum concluded. “In times like these, our strength lies in unity. Let’s stand together against acts of hate and ensure that our community remains a place where everyone feels safe and valued.”
Rabbi Abigail Treu of Oheb Shalom noted that the protests coincided with programming that feature an elite rescue unit of the Israel Defense Force, “whose sole mission is search and rescue. This unit has saved the lives of people in Israel and around the world, including from natural disasters in countries such as Turkey and Haiti. Ironically, as protesters outside were calling those driving past ‘baby killers,’ those attending the program were hearing firsthand accounts of infants and children rescued around the world – including civilians in Gaza during this war.”
“As in all things, we are a diverse community,” wrote Treu. “We do not insist that we all keep kosher the same way or have identical prayer lives or ways of celebrating shabbat and holidays. So too we do not require a set of beliefs around Israel, domestic politics, or any other issue. Since October 7 we have offered an array of programs that seek to reflect the diversity of the Oheb community in how we hold our connections to Israel. We have held Listening Circles to hear from each other, heard from West Bank Palestinians and Israeli settlers speaking together on our bimah, and we pray daily for Israel and for peace.”
“We are grateful to our security officers and the South Orange Police who were on site to ensure everyone’s safety,” wrote Treu in a message on Instagram that linked to a more detailed statement on the ohebshalom.org website. “We are fortunate for the security layers we already had in place. At no point was anyone in danger.”
Maplewood elected officials also condemned the graffiti.
“Maplewood stands in solidarity with Oheb Shalom Congregation and our entire Jewish Community, which was targeted by protesters on Sunday with hateful antisemitic graffiti on the synagogue’s property,” wrote Maplewood Mayor Nancy Adams in a statement representing the five members of the Maplewood Township Committee that was shared with the media. “We join with the elected officials in South Orange and with the clergy of all our synagogues to strongly denounce these acts, and to offer our support.”
Adams continued, “Rights of free speech and protest do not give anyone the right to deface property or make threats against the Jewish community. Whether these acts were committed by residents of South Orange or Maplewood or from people outside of our community, our message to you is clear. We stand together to resist and reject your intimidation and disrespect of the Jewish residents in our towns. An act of hate toward one is an act of hate toward all of us.”
Adams noted that her statement was sent “on behalf of the Maplewood Township Committee, Deputy Mayor Malia Herman, Committee Member Vic DeLuca, Committee Member Dean Dafis, [and] Committee Member Deborah Engel.”
This story was updated on January 27, 2025 with quotes from Rabbi Abigail Treu of Oheb Shalom.
