Al Jacobson, a founding member at the Waycross Hebrew Center is heartbroken.
“I just don’t know what to say, I really don’t. I just couldn’t believe anybody could be as mean and nasty as that,” he said.
Jacobson said someone broke in and vandalized a place of worship, that’s been in the community for more than six decades.
Once the crooks were inside, they took a fire extinguisher and sprayed everywhere.
“This was the window they broke out and kicked, and came in there,” said Jacobson.
“This was completely covered, I mean the chairs, the carpet, everything,” he said.
There were dozens of footprints, including dog prints. Jacobson said they also went in the kitchen and tossed food around.
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“They just took things out there and started throwing them,” he said.
Jacobson said in 66 years, they’ve never had any problems. But according to the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish communities in the United States are experiencing increased anti-Semitism. In 2018, there were 1,879 attacks against individuals and Jewish institutions.
“I definitely think it was a hate crime,” said Jacobson.
Jacobson said several people, including church leaders who wanted to help.
“People calling wanting to help financially, clean, all kind of ways,” Jacobson said.
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