Actions protest attack on Chicago synagogue

Militant/Dan Fein

CHICAGO — “We will not be driven out or driven away by anyone in any shape or form,” Rabbi Gary Rosenberg, at podium, told a Feb. 5 press conference here in front of the Chicago Loop Synagogue a day after it was attacked. “Even though we come from different backgrounds and different places, all of us have the right to practice our religion in the way that we see fit and to be able to do it without fear and anxiety.”

Surveillance camera footage shows a man breaking a window in the synagogue and attaching swastika stickers to the door.

“If any good came out of this, it was the outpouring of love we have seen,” said Lee Zoldan, at right, president of the 800-member synagogue. “We have received thousands and thousands of emails and text messages of solidarity from around the world.”

The synagogue received flowers, food and support from members of the neighborhood and other parts of the city who stopped by.

“Chicago’s Muslim community stands in full solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters as they deal with the trauma of this vile act of hate,” Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said in a solidarity message to the members of the congregation.

“Unfortunately, we know the feeling all too well as mosque vandalism and burning has spiked recently in the U.S.,” he added.

Zoldan announced an interfaith rally against bigotry and scapegoating for Wednesday, Feb. 8, at noon, at the synagogue at 16 S Clark Street.

— SHIFFA RIZKI AND SAMIR QAISAR