Messianic Jewish believers in New Jersey are searching for answers after their congregation’s property was attacked as anti-Semitic violence continues to spread across the US. Damage suffered by the Beth Zion synagogue is the worst in its three-decade history, said its leader Rabbi Jan Rosenberg after inspecting the vandalism.
Local media in the city of Jackson described his congregation’s property as “a war zone” with as many as 60 double-pane windows smashed as well as two tempered glass front doors. The cost of repairs alone is estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars. Rabbi Rosenberg noticed the distinct smell of fireworks that someone had ignited inside the building.
Worthy News reports Messianic Judaism is a faith where individuals of Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds maintain their Jewish identity while embracing the belief in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, as revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Jewish New Testament.
It added that while many Jews reject the Messianic faith due to misconceptions concerning similar teachings in many Christian groups and churches, Rabbi Rosenberg explained his congregation has good relations with many individuals in all Jewish and non-Jewish faith communities.
Local police believe juvenile vandals are to blame. However, two days before the attack, the rabbi said: “At a town hall meeting, many residents were upset that their taxes were being raised and a large number of residents vocally blamed the rising taxes on services being proposed for the Orthodox Jewish community.”
He added that: “The last few years have seen a dramatic rise in anti-Semitic activity, as well as increased public, hateful, and vitriolic statements throughout central New Jersey. In fact, last year, hateful anti-Semitic words were scrawled on the Beth Zion synagogue when windows were also broken”.
“Though it cannot be verified at the moment, it seems like more than a coincidence that there would be a connection between the events that took place at the Town Hall meeting and the vandalism that occurred at our building”, Rabbi Rosenberg concluded.
The congregation currently gathers at a nearby Cathedral for its Shabbat service every Saturday morning. Despite the setback the rabbi still hopes to eventually build a new Messianic synagogue on the property.
Photo: Worthy Christian News
