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ADL Commends Boca Raton Police Department for Investigation of Vandalism at a Synagogue in East Boca Raton Boca Raton, FL…March 18, 2014…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) commends the Boca Raton Police Department for its swift and thorough investigation of the vandalism that occurred at the Chabad of East Boca Raton, a small synagogue adjacent to Mizner Park. The vandalism reportedly took place overnight between March 17 - 18 when a parking bumper with the Rabbi’s name on it was uprooted and apparently used as a tool to smash and damage the synagogue’s side entrance glass door. Hava Holzhauer, ADL Florida Regional Director, issued the following statement: “ADL commends the Boca Raton Police Department for its comprehensive investigation of the vandalism perpetrated against the Chabad of East Boca Raton. ADL was shortly on site to offer support to Rabbi New, his staff and congregation, and continues to serve as a liaison with our close partners in the Boca Raton Police Department. Anytime a synagogue or house of worship is vandalized, the impact of such a negative act has a chilling ripple effect throughout the community. At this time, the investigation is ongoing. Without clear evidence of anti-Jewish bias such as anti-Semitic graffiti, the incident may be classified as religious institutional vandalism, which carries a more severe penalty, rather than a hate crime.” A core part of ADL’s mission is its commitment to Jewish institutional security, and educating synagogues, Jewish schools and agencies to integrate security into their culture 24/7, 365 days a year. The Anti-Defamation League regularly distributes security materials to houses of worship, which are also available through ADL’s web site. While these manuals include examples of security awareness issues within Jewish institutions, the security information is applicable to all institutions, regardless of religious denomination. ADL also provides annual security conferences for Jewish institutions in South Florida that assist clergy, other professionals and lay leaders directly responsible for assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating security policies and procedures. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is one of the nation’s premier human relations and civil rights organizations, fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry of all kinds. Visit our websites: www.adl.org/ florida.adl.org