BANGOR, Maine — As the war in Gaza continues, the United States is seeing record-high acts of antisemitism. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the near 9,000 antisemitic incidents reported in 2023 is the highest number since the organization began recording this data in 1979.
One Bangor congregation was the target of this kind of hate just this weekend.
Congregation Beth El Rabbi Sam Weiss found antisemitic graffiti on a stop sign near his synagogue. Someone scrawled "Nazi Israel 30K+ murdered" with a Star of David crossed out.
"We’re living in a time of tremendous political, geopolitical upheaval, and it could get much worse," Weiss said. "I'm worried about the most basic security of my synagogue, and that’s not unique to us."
Weiss said this is the second time someone has targeted his synagogue since the war began in October. Someone discovered pro-Hamas posters hung along the street outside the temple.
In New England, antisemitic incidents increased 205 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to ADL data.
"I feel so sad and sometimes quite demoralized at what's happening in the world, and I'm trying not to let it wear me down," Portland's Temple Beth El Rabbi Carolyn Braun said.
As the Jewish community prepares to celebrate Passover, Braun said there's one message she wants the community to hold onto.
"One of the messages about Passover is that we shall overcome. We do overcome," she said. "There is a sense that together we can overcome oppression."
The Bangor Police Department is investigating the graffiti left outside the synagogue. The person or people responsible could be charged with a hate crime if bias can be proven, Sergeant Jason McAmbley said.