Washington Cemetery: Jewish Gravestones Vandalized

Nearly 200 gravestones were smashed or knocked over at Washington Cemetery on Bay Parkway over the weekend, including some belonging to Holocaust survivors.

They mayhem occurred Saturday night, officials believe, since Washington Cemetery is usually closed for the sabbath.

“I couldn’t believe it happened,” said Semyon Bershteyn, who has family buried in the cemetery. “For so many years I’m visiting this cemetery, and for twenty-plus years I’ve never seen anything close to that.”

Some of the tombstones in the Jewish cemetery were hundreds of years old.

Police are investigating the crime as a potential hate crime.

Thanks to Julie K. for the tip.