Swastikas deface 2 synagogues in Seattle

Sometime Saturday night or early Sunday, someone painted red swastikas on two synagogues in the Seward Park neighborhood, according to Seattle police and synagogue members.

Rabbi Moshe Kletenik of the Bikur Cholim-Machzikay Hadath synagogue on South Morgan Street, said he is the child of two Holocaust survivors and noted that there are members of the synagogue who also are children of survivors.

"That makes this especially upsetting and disheartening to people," he said.

But, he added that surrounding neighbors were quick to provide support. And the graffiti already were being removed after police gathered evidence, he said. The synagogue, he said, is the oldest in the state, founded in 1891, and has about 300 families.

Sarah Rivkin, a member of the synagogue, saw the graffiti Sunday morning and said the side entrance had a swastika and the words "4th Riech."

"The person was moderately illiterate," said Rivkin, noting the correct spelling is "Reich."

Rivkin also saw the word "Nazi" painted in red and at least eight swastikas in the area.

She said people were inside the synagogues late Saturday during the incident, praying and preparing for the upcoming Rosh Hashana — the Jewish New Year, which starts Friday at sundown.

"We have a choice: Do we take this as just another attack and feel like we're victims or do we choose to see it as a spiritual wake-up call?" she said. "Ideally, of course, it's better that these things never happen."

The Jewish New Year is a time for evaluation and reflection for people individually and as part of the Jewish community, she added.

Seattle police reported that the synagogues in the 5100 block of South Morgan Street and in the 6500 block of 52nd Avenue South, as well as a driveway and sidewalk near a home, were both defaced. Josh Normand, a member of the other synagogue, the defaced Sephardic Bikur Holim congregation, said he's disgusted.

"I'm not an alarmist," he said. "I'd like to be levelheaded, but I like people to not have our heads in the sand."

The Seattle Police Department encourages anyone with information to call the Bias Crimes Unit at 206-233-3898.

Seattle police also reported that transportation workers will be removing the graffiti from public areas.

Christine Willmsen: 206-464-3261 or cwillmsen@seattletimes.com.