SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Santa Cruz Police have no idea who painted a swastika and hate language on a tombstone at a Temple Beth El cemetery.
"Swastika and hate against Jews is something that brings all the fears my parents instilled in me," says one man.
A Jewish man, who didn't want to be identified, said he visits the graveyard to reflect on his grandparents, killed during the Holocaust. He said, the hate crime makes him "uneasy."
Santa Cruz Police say sometime between Thursday and Sunday, someone spray painted a hateful message on a tombstone. One side in large black letters read an expletive against the Jews. The other side was a swastika sign. It's been painted over.
Police said, this is the first time in a long time, they've investigated a hate crime against the Jewish community. But, for Rabbi Paula Marcus, it's one too many.
"Mostly really sad and angry," says Rabbi Marcus. "Just to see this has happened in our community. We think of Santa Cruz as such a friendly and warm place. When things like this happen it's a little bit of a wake-up call for all of us."
Rabbi Marcus said, police and security officers will now be making extra patrols in the area. The congregation also emailed members about the hate crime. But for one Jewish man, he wants one thing.
"If there's one way I can help them realize Jews are just like them," says the man. "There is no reason to hate."
The cemetary is the first property the Jewish community owned in Santa Cruz County. Anyone who has information about the hate crime is encouraged to call Santa Cruz Police at (831) 420-5820.
Submitted by Azenith Smith, Central Coast News
