Hoboken United Synagogue Vandalized: Police Investigating

HOBOKEN, NJ - Local leaders in Hoboken are condemning an incident that left the United Synagogue vandalized on Wednesday, and called for the responsible individuals to be held accountable.

According to reports, the Hoboken Police Officers responded to the United Synagogue of Hoboken,115 Park Ave., at approximately 9:00 a.m. following reports of graffiti. The synagogue staff reported discovering the message "Free Palestine" on their property. The spray paint has since been removed.

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The Hoboken Police Department will now conduct additional daily patrols of the synagogue, and their Detective Bureau is investigating the incident along with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, officials said. The Hudon County Prosecutor's Office Bias Crimes Liaison has been notified as well.

“Disgusted to learn this morning someone vandalized the United Synagogue of Hoboken by painting ‘Free Palestine’ on the column near the synagogue’s front gate,” wrote 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, who is Jewish, on X.

“Defacing any place of worship has no place in Hoboken and will not be tolerated. Hoboken is a fair and welcoming city where we should all respect our differences and diversity of thought without intimidation or the vandalizing of property,” added Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who also praised the efforts of the Hoboken PD and Rabbi Robert Scheinberg.

Additionally, a message to the United Synagogue of Hoboken community described the incident as “deeply troubling.”

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“Vandalism of property, of any kind, is never appropriate. Singling out a synagogue for defacement with a message that is antagonistic to Israel is deeply troubling and particularly reprehensible, no matter what one’s perspective may be on any political question,” the message stated.

“We are grateful to our community for prioritizing our security and for nurturing strong relationships with our law enforcement partners over the course of many years. We remain convinced that this is a time to be vigilant but not to be fearful.”

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Officer Chelsea Tamborra at tamborrac@hobokenpdnj.gov or 201-420-2100 ext. 3109.

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