The Jewish center said on Tuesday that a Portland Chabad home had a treasured Jewish paper that is customarily attached to doorposts taken off Monday night.
Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the damage of the center’s mezuzah has shocked the community and the organization’s officials. Jewish Oasis, a Pearl District center, sells Jewish cultural goods and acts as a center for Jewish outreach and education.
“This clearly shows us that we still have a lot more work to do to bring positivity, spirituality, light, and goodness to the world,” Mishulovin added. We don’t know what drove them, but they most likely didn’t love us, and I believe that a big part of it stems from their ignorance of what (Judaism) is and what we stand for.
For many years, the mezuzah has served as a sign of Jewish identity and faith. The company is looking for a replacement, according to Mishulovin.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, which documented at least 75 antisemitic occurrences in Oregon between January and September of last year, the number of such incidents has been progressively rising in recent years.
In 2023, there were around 9,000 antisemitic incidents nationwide, which is a record high since the Anti-Defamation League started keeping track in 1979.
This increase is consistent with Oregon’s own hate event reporting data. From 2022 to 2023, the ItsBias Report Hotline saw a rise in hate crimes and occurrences against Muslims and Jews.
The Jewish center had to move from its previous home in Southwest Portland in 2020 after the structure sustained major damage from two fires in a single week.
According to Mishulovin, he thinks the incident will eventually bring the Jewish community in Portland together and make it stronger. He encourages people to visit the center regardless of their religious background.
Everyone is welcome to visit whenever they’d like, Mishulovin stated. Come receive support and inspiration. We are available to you.
State politics and government are covered by Carlos Fuentes. You may contact him at [email protected] or 503-221-5386.
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