Barrington Police are investigating a Swastika found on an East Bay bike path sign. The anti-Semitic symbol was burned on a sign that offers a brief history of New Meadow Neck. The incident has created a heightened sense of alarm among the Jewish community of Barrington because of its proximity- roughly one mile- from Temple Habonim.
Rabbi Andrew Klein said he was unaware of the incident until local reporters brought it to his attention. The rabbi then notified local police and the town manager who quickly took the sign down. Klein says that he classifies the swastika is a hate crime.
“It’s a symbol of hatred, it’s a symbol of destruction, and it’s a symbol of genocide,” said Klein. “And when people do these things it’s for the purpose of making people afraid.”
Klein said recent bomb threats targeting Jewish community centers across the country, including one in Providence, have struck fear among some of his congregation. Klein however, is quick to add that the incident has also fostered a strong response in the community.
Temple Habonim has about 200 individual family unit members and teaches roughly 100 students in its Hebrew school. After the swastika had been reported to police, some eight to ten members of the congregation got together to make a unity quilt out of laminated signs and yarn.
“It’s out there now, and it’s a really windy day, and it looks wonderful,” said Rabbi Klein.
Rabbi Klein said that the synagogue has also received an outpour of support from the Muslim and Christian community in the Ocean State. After Monday’s bomb threats, a vigil was organized by the various Rhode Island faiths in support of the Jewish community.
“It’s really what Rhode Island is about,” added Klein. “In times of adversity, we’re able to come together and help one another.”
The vigil will take place this Sunday in front of the Holocaust Memorial in Providence.
