Reform synagogue vandalized in Ramat Hasharon as religious tensions rise nationwide

A Reform synagogue in Ramat Hasharon was vandalized on Sunday night, according to local reports.

The reports were confirmed by Ramat Hasharon Mayor Itzik Rochberger, who shared an image on Facebook of a smashed window at the "Darchei Noam" synagogue on Yavne Street, along with a condemnation of the attack. He called on police and local authorities to investigate the incident.

"Ramat Hasharon is a city of freedom, tolerance, pluralism, and coexistence of religious and secular people," Rochberger wrote on Facebook. "We will not allow extremists to damage property, instill fear, and sabotage the fabric of our shared life."

Gilad Kariv, a Reform rabbi and lawmaker from the Democrats party who previously headed the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, also condemned the attack in a Twitter/X post on Monday. 

"In the face of Judaism of 'ways of hate,' we will continue to promote 'ways of joy,'" Kariv wrote, referencing the synagogue's name "Darchei Noam," which can be translated as "ways of joy."

"In the face of nonstop incitement, we will continue to promote nonstop hope," Kariv added. "They smash and break; we will repair and rebuild."

This comes one week after Tel Aviv-Jaffa District Court, sitting as an Administrative Affairs Court deleted a petition seeking to force Ramat Hasharon to enforce its Shabbat business-closure bylaw at BIG Fashion Glilot after the city and Rochberger said they would do so.

Nearby Herzliya businesses reportedly vandalized for being open on Shabbat

Local news outlet Sharon Online noted that the synagogue lies a few hundred meters from the Neve Israel neighborhood of Herzliya, where a restaurant was recently vandalized on July 30, reportedly for being open on Shabbat.

Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher addressed the attack on social media, saying he was working with local businesses to boost weekend foot traffic and support those open seven days a week. He did not confirm that the attack itself was religiously motivated.

Jerusalem synagogue and cafe face similar treatment from ultra-Orthodox residents

Sunday night's vandalism attack follows a similar instance in Jerusalem earlier in the month. Vandals broke into Reform synagogue Kol HaNeshamah in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood, damaging the building and artwork and tearing down Pride flags displayed by the congregation.

In addition, Jerusalem's Basimta Cafe, which is open on Shabbat, has faced repeated protests and attacks in recent weeks by members of the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. 

Sarah Ben-Nun and Deborah Dahan/JTA contributed to this report.