Chabad UF vandalized with ‘horrific’ antisemitic graffiti, group says

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Chabad UF Jewish Student Center at University of Florida was vandalized on Friday morning with “horrific anti-semitic graffiti,” according to a statement by the organization.

Various signs and the sidewalk around the center were written on with phrases such as “star of Molec,” “child murderers” and “burn in hell,” the press release said.

”This is an attempt to intimidate us and the proud Jewish Life and Learning Chabad UF provides to the students and community,” the statement read.

”We will not be cowed by hate, but will in fact double our efforts to strengthen Judaism, advocate for Israel and continue to bring light and joy to the UF, SFC and Gainesville communities,” said Rabbi Berl Goldman, director of the center.

Co-Director Chanie Goldman said the actions were a “repeat of the dark ages” when Jews were blamed for various grievances throughout Europe.

”Anti-semitism is the oldest hatred in the word and is once again rearing it’s ugly head in the form of anti-Israel bias and hateful tropes, blaming the Jews using all sorts of lies and conspiracies,” she said.

The statement explained that they have contacted the proper authorities to deal with the hate crime and plan to peruse legal charges.

Rabbi Goldman told Florida’s Voice that law enforcement has not been able to identify the individual who was caught on security cameras the night of the incident.

The press release urges anyone with information about the vandalism to contact Gainesville Police and notify Chabad UF.

Florida’s Voice also reached out to local law enforcement for updates on the vandalism case but have not received a response.

Several pro-Hamas and pro-Palestine student groups around the state have held protests and rallies in support of the October 7 attacks on Israel. The Israel-Hamas war has also led to outcry from local and state officials who have approved resolutions backing Israel.

In Gainesville, a student group filed a lawsuit after the state called for the deactivation of a student organization for allegedly giving support to a terrorist organization.

University of Florida’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine joined the American Civil Liberties Union to take legal action against State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues and his call to disband the organization on public campuses around the state.