Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on November 14, 2014

LOMBARD On the night of Nov. 9, 1938, Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues were attacked throughout Germany and other Nazi-controlled areas of Europe.

The shattered glass of windows lined sidewalks, giving the horrific night its name: Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass.

On that night, the Jews of Europe appeared to stand alone. Seventy-six years later, the members of Congregation Etz Chaim know they do not, after hundreds gathered Saturday the night before the anniversary of Kristallnacht to show their solidarity after the Lombard synagogue was vandalized in October.

Your support lifts us up, Rabbi Steven Bob said at the Coming Together in Solidarity event. Its clear that we do not stand alone.

On Oct. 21, the Lombard Police Department responded to a disturbance at Congregation Etz Chaim, where they found a suspect driving recklessly around the property.

Anti-Semitic graffiti was written on the synagogue, and seven of its windows were broken.

John White, 40, of Westmont, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with a hate crime, armed violence and other crimes. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After the incident, police obtained a search warrant for Whites house, where they say they found thousands of rounds of ammunition, a shotgun, rifle and four handguns.

Bond was set at a full $5 million for White, but prosecutors are now seeking to deny him bail, said Paul Darrah, spokesman for the DuPage County States Attorneys Office. This motion will be considered Nov. 18.

Several government and religious leaders from throughout DuPage County attended the solidarity gathering, and they were joined by community members of all religions.

Link:

'We do not stand alone': Hundreds gather to support synagogue vandalized in Lombard

Category: Synagogue
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