The executive director of Shaare Tefila Congregation said members of the Olney synagogue were shaken after the building was defaced with antisemitic graffiti early Tuesday morning.
Jerry Kiewe, the executive director, said he first learned about the vandalism through a phone call from the synagogue’s rabbi. A child from the congregation spotted the graffiti while riding past the building on a school bus and then alerted their parent.
“It’s a shame that anybody has to see it,” Kiewe said.
Kiewe noted that the synagogue was defaced last summer when a banner was damaged; the congregation handled the incident quietly by removing and replacing it. This time, news of the vandalism spread quickly through the community.
“Obviously, we’re following up in a different fashion this time around,” he said.
While no one was physically harmed, Kiewe said the incident unsettled both congregants and the broader community.
A member of the congregation cleaning the entrance sign. Credit: Sophia Hernandez-Piña
“It’s disconcerting. It’s a shame that people have to resort to vandalism to try and make a point which isn’t going to be made happily,” he said. “It does not resonate with the vast majority of people out there.”
Kiewe said they response from surrounding community members has been heartening.
“There has been an outpouring of support from the neighbors, from other institutions, all expressing their own dismay that this kind of thing would take place,” he said.
He said, aside from the banner defacement last summer, there have been no other threats or concerning incidents directed at the synagogue.
Kiewe praised the response from law enforcement and elected officials, saying police arrived quickly, filed a report and scheduled a security survey of the facility to offer additional recommendations.
“I cannot tell you how many follow-up conversations I have had at different levels about this specific incident,” he said. “The responses from various officials have all been welcome. A little overwhelming. All appreciated.”
Kiewe emphasized that he views the vandalism as the work of a small minority and not reflective of the surrounding community.
Antisemitic graffiti outside the Shaare Tefila Synagogue. Credit: Sophia Hernandez-Piña
“We do not recognize it for being what we like to think is an isolated incident and a minority opinion,” he said. “The vast majority of our friends and neighbors are way better than this, and that message comes through way louder and way clearer than a little bit of spray paint.”
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich condemned the incident in a public statement.
“I am appalled by the damage done at the Shaare Tefila congregation in Olney today. I condemn all acts of antisemitism,” Elrich said. “Antisemitism is on the rise across the country, and incidents like this deepen the anxiety and pain felt by our Jewish neighbors.”
Elrich said the county has invested in nonprofit security grants, expanded law enforcement resources and created a hate-bias reporting portal to ensure accountability.
“To those who commit acts of hate: you will be held accountable. To our Jewish community: you are not alone,” he said.
Gov. Wes Moore also condemned the vandalism.
“I unequivocally condemn the antisemitic and anti-Israel message spray-painted outside of Shaare Tefila Congregation in Olney,” Moore said. “We remain committed to stomping out antisemitism in all its wicked forms.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin said the community was “horrified by the swastika and antisemitic graffiti,” adding that those responsible “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Councilmember Andrew Friedson called the act “antisemitic desecration.” Meanwhile Ron Halber, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, said the incident was “outrageous” and “another sad reminder that antisemitic incidents have become common occurrences throughout our region.”
This is an ongoing investigation.
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