Attack on Jewish students at DePaul, vandalism at Loop Synagogue highlight disturbing trend, ADL says
CHICAGO (CBS) -- After two Jewish students at DePaul University were attacked on Wednesday, and two men were arrested for trespassing and vandalizing a Loop synagogue the same day, the Anti-Defamation League said a recent string of antisemitic incidents in Chicago underscores a trend it has been tracking all year.
DePaul University President Robert L. Manuel said two Jewish students were physically attacked Wednesday afternoon in front of the Student Center on the Lincoln Park Campus at 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. Sources said one student who was attacked is an Israeli soldier currently on reserve, and one of the executive leaders of the Students Standing with Israel at DePaul.
The Chicago Jewish Alliance said students will often stand outside the DePaul Student Center hoping to have an open dialogue with others about the War in Gaza. Manuel said the two students were doing just that when they were punched by masked attackers.
The university said the attack was premeditated.
Just a few hours later around 7 p.m., Chicago Police say they were called to the Chicago Loop Synagogue, 16 S. Clark St. Members of the Jewish community were gathered there for a speaker, and said dozens of protesters harassed them as they entered the place of worship.
"We heard a horrible commotion and noise, and we went to the front of our building to find the entire front of our building overwhelmed by a big crowd of protestors," said Chicago Loop Synagogue administrator Mary Lynn Pross.
Some protesters even entered and then vandalized the synagogue.
"We heard a horrible commotion and noise, and we went to the front of our building to find the entire front of our building overwhelmed by a big crowd of protestors," said Chicago Loop Synagogue administrator Mary Lynn Pross.
Inside, an event was being held with an Israeli journalist. Outside, attendees were met by dozens of protesters for the Palestinian cause.
On an Instagram reel, protesters said "Palestinian youth and allies" had come to "disrupt" Arab Israeli journalist and advocate for Israel Yoseph Haddad.
Police dispatch audio indicated that the protesters were blocking the entrance to the synagogue and were wielding a megaphone that they were projecting inside.
"They were banging on our windows, screaming," Pross said. "They had bullhorns blaring in our building."
Some protesters even entered and vandalized the synagogue. Chicago Police arrested two people—one for criminal trespass and another for property damage.
Faith communities in the Loop have been left shaken.
"Being in downtown Chicago, it makes it very difficult—not only for us, but other cultural institutions in downtown Chicago—to have their people who engage with them to feel safe, to feel safe in the Loop," said Lee Zoldan, president of Chicago Loop Synagogue, "and I think that's a real issue for Chicago as a city."
Incidents follow West Ridge shooting that prompted hate crime charges
These latest incidents come as another high-profile hate crime case was set to go before a judge.
Thursday was supposed to be the detention hearing for the man charged with shooting an Orthodox Jewish man who was walking to synagogue last month in the West Ridge, or West Rogers Park, neighborhood.
But defendant Sidi Muhammad Abdellahi, 22, was injured in a shootout with police, and was still not well enough to attend a court hearing. Thus, specific details of that recent hate crime have not been broken down.
Abdellahi is accused of shooting the 39-year-old man headed to synagogue in the 2600 block of West Farwell Avenue at 9:30 a.m. Saturday of last week. Abdehllahi is also accused of opening fire on police officers and paramedics afterward. Chicago Police officers returned fire and hit the suspect multiple times.
He faces terrorism and hate crime charges.
"It's a problem when we're not surprised when someone's shot because they're Jewish. We're not surprised that someone is assaulted because they're Jewish. We're not surprised that a Jewish institution is attacked, protested, and vandalized," said David Goldenberg, Midwest Regional Director at the Anti-Defamation League. "We're sad. were outraged. We're exhausted, but we're not surprised."
Goldenberg said over the last year, the ADL locally has tracked a 300% increase in the number of antisemitic incidents in Chicago.
"Things have gotten out of hand," Goldenberg said. "Jews deserve to be safe in our city, in our state, and in our country."
The ADL said these latest incidents this week underscore the need for leaders in Chicago to identify better ways to support victims of hate and antisemitism.
"This is the American Jewish experience right now," Goldenberg said.
On Thursday, the Chicago Commission on Human Relations said it has received reports of 216 hate incidents this year to date. Of those incidents, 40 were actually classified as hate crimes.
The Commission on Human Relations said it plan to hold a "listening session" in the West Ridge community sometime within the next two weeks in order that community members can express their concerns.
The ADL is calling on Chicago leaders to speak out.
"When I think about what needs to be done, accountability is a good start, leadership is a good start, and to recognize the Jewish experience in Chicago right now is a good start," said Goldenberg.
As for the DePaul case, Chicago Police classified it as a hate crime and issued a community alert. The attackers are both described as men around 20 years old.
One stands 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 150 to 170 pounds. He has a full beard and short, dark hair with shaved sides, and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black pants, and black shoes.
The other stands 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and also weights 150 to 170 pounds. He was last seen with a black balaclava covering his face, a white T-shirt, and khaki pants.
Police released surveillance images Thursday night.
Anyone with information on the DePaul attack is encouraged to contact DePaul Public Safety, or call Belmont Area detectives at 312-744-8261.
Those with information can also give an anonymous tip to CPDTIP.com, and should use reference #JH497856.