Crooks broke into a local synagogue and ransacked it, leaving behind blood and footprints

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.

“This was the window they broke out and kicked, and came in there,” said Jacobson.

Once the crooks were inside, they took a fire extinguisher and sprayed everywhere.

“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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Cox Media Group