Jerusalem egalitarian synagogue vandalized again on Yom Kippur, pride flag stolen

Vandals broke into Jerusalem egalitarian synagogue Kol Haneshama for the fourth time in a month, this time on Yom Kippur morning.

The vandals broke into the synagogue sometime between the end of Kol Nidre on Sunday night and the beginning of services Monday morning and removed a pride flag that was hanging in the sanctuary, Rabbi Oded Mazor announced from the bimah during Neila services Monday night.

Monday’s attack was the fourth incident, including egg throwing and broken windows, that has targeted one of the city’s most well-known and long-standing Reform synagogues in the last month. Just last week, Jewish youth wearing kippot pelted eggs at the synagogue during Rosh Hashanah.

At the end of the Yom Kippur service, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio addressed the congregation, expressing the municipality’s support, and a Pride flag was raised again as the congregation sang.

The previous night, during Kol Nidre services, Mazor read a message from Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, expressing shock at the previous attacks and pledging the city's support amid the deluge that has plagued the community.

Attacked over their support for LGBTQ community 

Kol HaNeshamah has previously been targeted in attacks involving its support for the LGBTQ community. In 2018, a large rock was hurled into its courtyard while more than 200 people were taking part in Simchat Torah celebrations, prompting the congregation to file a police complaint. No one was injured.

During Monday’s services, a volunteer guard duty, including members of the Baka neighborhood where the synagogue is located who were not members, stood guard to protect the congregation from the vandals who used Yom Kippur to express their hatred.