Graffiti removed from Temple Israel monument sign

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light

An illegible scrawl of graffiti has now been removed from the Congregation Temple Israel monument at the entrance on Ladue Road. TI staff discovered the red spray-painted marking on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Creve Coeur Police are investigating the incident, which is being treated as a possible antisemitic hate crime.

The maintenance department used a special cleaning solvent to clean the monument. The congregation has received confirmation that there is no current threat to the building and grounds.

Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact the Creve Coeur Police Department at 314-737-4600.

In a statement sent out to congregants on Thursday, the synagogue wrote:

“There was an act of vandalism where someone spray painted on our Ladue Rd. entrance sign sometime early Tuesday morning. The police are investigating it and feel confident that there is no reason to believe that there’s a threat to our Temple Israel or Education Center campus or to the local community.”
“Our incredible maintenance staff was able to remove the spray paint that same morning, and though it has since been removed, acts of vandalism still feel scary. Please know that Temple Israel has campus security measures in place to ensure that our building, both inside and out, remains safe for our congregants, school families, and guests.”

Photo Courtesy of the Creve Coeur Police Department.