Thread: Jewish Rabbi Shot, Killed While Walking to North Miami Beach Temple

Jewish Rabbi Shot, Killed While Walking to North Miami Beach Temple: Police

By Cherine Akbari

WATCH THE VIDEO REPORT AT THE LINK.

Police are searching for two suspects who shot and killed an Orthodox Jewish rabbi while he was walking to his temple in North Miami Beach on Saturday morning. NBC 6's Laura Rodriguez reports.

Saturday, Aug 9, 2014 • Updated at 6:22 PM EDT

Police are searching for two suspects who shot and killed an Orthodox Jewish rabbi while he was walking to his temple in North Miami Beach on Saturday morning.

Miami-Dade Police said 60-year-old Joseph Raksin was walking on the 800 block of NE 175th Street around 9 a.m. when two young males approached him. Raksin was shot during the altercation.

Raksin was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center where he died.

The two suspects fled the scene, one on a bike and one on foot, according to police. Police do not yet have a good description of the shooters, and say there are no signs that this was a hate crime.

Neighbors, however, think this could have been racially motivated, referencing aswastika that had been painted on a synagogue down the block two weeks ago.

The neighborhood is in a heavily-populated orthodox Jewish community with 11 synagogues in the area.

This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned to NBC 6 and NBC6.com for updates.
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/J...270608571.html

Anti-Semitic Vandalism Found at South Florida Synagogue


A vandal or group of vandals spray-painted swastikas and other hate speech on a South Florida Synagogue on Monday.
Monday, Jul 28, 2014 • Updated at 6:32 PM EDT

More anti-Semitic messages were found Monday in South Florida, this time at a synagogue.

Neighborhood watch volunteers found swastikas and the word "Hamas" spray painted in red outside the doors to Torah V'Emunah Congregation at 1000 N.E. 175th Street in Northeast Miami-Dade.

This is the second act of anti-Semitic vandalism in South Florida in the last few days. On Saturday, vandals egged two cars at a Miami Beach home and smeared cream cheese on the cars, spelling out the words "Jew" and "Hamas."

Anti-Semitic messages were found at a South Florida synagogue on Monday. NBC 6's Bobby Brooks reports.

The acts coincided with an ongoing three-week-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. As of Sunday, the fighting had killed more than 1,000 people -- 1,030 Palestinians, 43 Israeli soldiers, two Israeli civilians and a Thai worker, according to NBC News.

Yona Lungerm who he found the latest messages around 1 a.m. during his neighborhood watch shift, said vandalism isn't an answer to the conflict. He said the graffiti is “very uncomfortable and it’s unprofessional.”

"We understand you're angry, but that's not the way to resolve it," Lunger said. "Best way is to get out there and pray for peace and let's all get along."

Police have not yet identified any suspects in either case, and have not yet determined if there is a connection.
The Anti-Defamation League released a statement that condemned the act and said in part:

"It is our hope that local South Florida community leaders will join the Anti-Defamation League to condemn the local expression of anti-Semitic hate right her in our backyard."

Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/M...268856961.html

Anti-Semitic Vandalism Found at South Florida Synagogue


Published on Jul 28, 2014
For the second time in as many days, messages of hate targeted members of South Florida’s Jewish community.

Early Monday morning, spray painted swastikas and the word “Hamas” were discovered on the pillars in front of the Congregation Torah Ve’emunah, at 1000 NE 175th Street, in northeast Miami-Dade.

“It was the worst thing that one wants to see on his own place of worship,” said a member of the temple.

A member of the community watch discovered the vandalism around 1 a.m.

“As I was rolling by I noticed some coloring on the wall,” said Yona Lunger. “I back up again, looked again and I said ‘wow, it’s a swastika’. It’s very disturbing, very disturbing.”

On Saturday, a family who lives along Meridian Avenue in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Miami Beach found their cars had been vandalized as they left to attend a service at their synagogue.

“They wrote “Hamas” on the back of the car window and they wrote “Jew,’” said Joshua, who didn’t want us to publish his last name.

The two vehicles were covered with eggs and smeared with cream cheese, but it’s the meaning behind the words that left many in the predominantly Jewish community concerned.

“Since it was a Jewish holiday people were going back and forth and it was the talk of the neighborhood and they were all scared,” added Joshua. “That we have a hate crime in our own Jewish neighborhood.”

“Everyone was shocked,” said Rachel, whose car was also targeted. “No one knew what was going on, we’re like this is America, this is Miami. Why would we be targeted here? We’re supposed to be safe, free from anti-semitism.

With the escalating aggression between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, some are wondering if the right abroad has now made it to their own home turf.

“It’s terrible and it really shows that the Islamic terrorists have taken this fight to the United States,” said Mark Goldstein.

“I think what has happened here is terrible and it should never happen,” said Pauletta Hayle. “if it happened over there it should stay over there. They shouldn’t bring it here.”

Police are investigating the actions as a potential hate crime and many in the neighborhood are now planning to install surveillance cameras.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2L0FIMRCgs