Updated with additional information.
A menorah outside of Chabad of Olney, a synagogue located at 17320 Georgia Avenue, was vandalized on Friday afternoon just minutes before the start of Hannukah, according to a social media post by Chabad of Olney co-director Devorah Stolik.
According to Montgomery County Police (MCPD), “at approximately 4:30 pm on Thursday, MCPD responded to the area of Georgia Avenue and Hines Road for the report of vandalism. There are no suspects in custody at this time. We have no further information at this time.”
FOX5 reports that the concerning act was called in to the police by an eyewitness. Per the report, Rabbi Bentzy Stolik provided the following statement, “This event, on the eve of Hannukah, is obviously very distressing to the Jewish community. Word got out very fast in our small and wonderful community of Olney, Maryland, and texts and phone calls of support started flooding in within minutes.” The initial social media post, along with a photo of the repaired and re-lit menorah, courtesy of community members, can be seen below:
“This afternoon minutes before chanukah began, our menorah at Chabad was vandalized. Thank you to our community members Sam Feldman, Yoni Sapir and Gali Jeanette Sapir for stepping up to make sure the Menorah is back up and lit!!
The world still has pockets of darkness, but we fight with more light!! This Chanukah, shine your menorah and shine it strong, don’t be afraid!! Now more then ever the world needs our light!
Come out to celebrate with us next week Monday and Tuesday! (MoCo police will be providing security both events)”
