Hate Crime, Robbery At Avenue Z Jewish Center

Murders, slum lords, fires and now… hate crimes! Sheepshead Bay is just kicking today…

A hate-filled cretin burglarized and vandalized the Avenue Z Jewish Center (875 Avenue Z), stealing hundreds of dollars and desecrating religious artifacts.

According to Councilman Michael Nelson’s office, which is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandal – or vandals – the burglary occurred on February 5. The perp(s) smashed a back window to the synagogue and stole $200 from a donation box. Not content to take the money and run, they also roughed up a torah, desecrating and damaging the religious scroll that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

With assistance from Councilman Nelson and Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, the 60th Precinct have deemed the act a hate crime. In addition to being one of the neighborhood’s older synagogues, it’s also home to the Association of Holocaust Survivors From the Former Soviet Union.

“Yet again, the Jewish community has come under attack by gutless individuals who have a complete lack of morals and ethics,” said Councilman Nelson. “First, it was the desecration of Jewish gravestones in Washington Cemetery and now this. I will do whatever I can to assist the police in their investigation and as a starter I am offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who is willing to come forth with any information that may bring these perpetrators to justice.”

More photos by Ari Kagan: