MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Detectives are searching for an anti-Semitic vandal who targeted a historic temple with a hostile message during Hannukah.
The vandal used a marker to draw a swastika on a door at Temple Emanu-El at Washington Avenue and 17th Street in Miami Beach. A woman told police it happened between 11 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday.
“Every time something like this happens it’s very shocking — particularly during the week of Hannukah when we try to increase light in the world — and you have an act like this that is meant to bring darkness in the world,” Rabbi Mark Philippe said on Monday.
The temple, which was built in 1948, is just southeast of the Miami Beach Convention Center where Art Basel Miami Beach was recently held.
Officers are asking anyone with information about the identity of the vandal to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Wilson Louis contributed to this report.