Hanukkah menorah near Lake Merritt destroyed by vandals in latest act of anti-Semitism

OAKLAND — Vandals on Tuesday night destroyed a large menorah set out for the public at Lake Merritt, and police said they were investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

The vandalism comes during a time that concern about anti-Semitism locally and nationally is rising, with the FBI director earlier this year lamenting the “historic” level of hatred directed against Jewish people.

Cassandra Huffman, a spokesperson for the Jewish Community Relations Council, said in a statement that the menorah had been smashed, its pieces strewn across the area. Police said some of the heavier pieces ended up in the water.

Anti-Semitic graffiti was also sprayed on concrete benches near the display.

“I’m shocked, but I’m not surprised,” Tyler Gregory, the CEO, of the JCRC told the Bay Area News Group by phone. “I can’t tell you how many times people have texted me images of anti-Semitic graffiti (around) Lake Merritt over the past couple of months. I’m not shocked it would happen there.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao in a statement said she was “outraged.” State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, also condemned the act, calling it “an act of cowardice.”

“I want to be very clear that what happened was not just an attack on Oakland’s Jewish community but our entire city and our shared values,” Thao said. “We stand together against hate, against anti-Semitism and against bigotry in any form. And when someone commits such a crime, they are attacking the (city’s) foundation.”

In an earlier statement on the incident, Gregory called the crime “devastating” and a “vicious act (that) unequivocally deserves condemnation. Jews in this country should not have to live in fear.”

In his interview, Gregory  also called out city leaders for not speaking out enough on the issue of anti-Semitism.

“I feel like anti-Semitism is becoming normalized,” Gregory said. “If it’s not called out for what it is immediately, then it’s allowed to spread.”

Police confirmed Wednesday afternoon that they were called to Lake Merritt in the late morning. Investigators were looking for video surveillance of the area.

Rabbi Dovid Labkowski, the director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Oakland, said that in the wake of the vandalism, the Jewish community would put up another menorah Wednesday night, beginning with a ceremony starting about 5:30 p.m. near the lake amphitheater along 12th Street.

“The message of Hanukkah is eight candles, eight nights. The point of the lights is to bring happiness and joy and positivity into our lives,” Labkowski said. “For the darkness and hate of people to come out and destroy it is just devastating.”

The Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and the Israeli response in Gaza, have sparked heated debates and protests on many sides. Thousands of civilians have died on both sides of the conflict.

As the conflict has continued, local protests and other events have seen loud calls for peace and denunciations of the violence. On Wednesday, San Jose police said they were investigating two separate incidents where a person ripped down banners supporting Gaza over a freeway overpass.

“It’s just very sad that Jews have live here in fear,” Lobkowski said. “And we’re not going to cower.”

Police encouraged anyone with information to call 510-238-3728.

Staff photographer Jane Tyska contributed to this report.