Police looking for those involved in swastika incident
BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer
In the overnight hours of Sept. 28, following the end of Yom Kippur, three swastikas were painted on the front of Congregation Beth-El in what is the second reported act of religious intolerance recently.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONGREGATION BETH-EL Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg outside of Congregation Beth-El on Jefferson Boulevard, where three swastikas were painted on the outside of the building during the overnight hours of Sept. 28. No suspects have been apprehended in this matter.

Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg said that a teacher at the temple arrived at the building, located at 91 Jefferson Road, Edison, at approximately 7:30 a.m. Sept. 29 and saw two swastikas painted on the front glass doors and the third on a front wall of the building to the left of the doors.

Rosenberg believes that this incident is connected to one that occurred during Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 19 in which a 19-yearold Jewish male from Edison was beaten outside of the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva on Plainfield Avenue in town. The victim stated that while being attacked, his assailant yelled anti-Semitic remarks. A 16- year-old male was arrested and charged with juvenile delinquency in the aggravated assault.

JEFF GRANIT staff Swastikas were spray-painted on the outside of the school building at Congregation Beth-El in Edison.

"I think it's just a bunch of kids looking for attention in the community," Rosenberg said. "Whoever did this to the temple, they did a very shoddy job. It was a quick spray job and they probably ran away right after that."

Because the act of vandalism is being deemed a bias crime, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is also investigating. The state's Anti-Defamation League has offered a reward for information that leads to the apprehension of the suspects.

Rosenberg says that he is worried for his own life and that he is careful at all times.

"Years ago, my wife and I were attacked by teens twice in one night," Rosenberg said. "Those people were caught and they were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Ever since then, I really feel like I'm a target."

Last Wednesday, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, based in South River, issued a statement condemning the incidents.

"These acts constitute an attack on the entire Middlesex County community, its diversity, values and moral fabric. Any form of violence or abuse, whether physical or verbal, is intolerable in civil society. We call upon our partners, friends and neighbors to strongly condemn these acts, and to continue working with us to combat prejudice, hate and ignorance against any group or institution."

As for the notion that those involved in the Congregation Beth-El incident are looking for attention of some sort, Rosenberg said they will get what they are looking for.

"When I'm through with them, they'll be in jail. Then they'll get all of the attention that they want," Rosenberg said.