Ahavath Achim targeted by letter writer, graffiti artist
By Paul Haist
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Congregation Ahavath Achim on Southwest Barbur Boulevard recently received two similar anti-Semitic letters delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Each included a newspaper clipping about Israel's conflict with Palestinians and Hezbollah, at least one of which was inscribed with the words "fascist bastards," and both of which had been smeared with excrement.
The Sephardic congregation's synagogue also was spray-painted with non-anti-Semitic graffiti over the Sept. 2 weekend.
Portland Police, the FBI and the Secret Service also investigated recent long, multi-part, harassing messages left at night on the congregation's telephone message system.
Ahavath Achim Rabbi Shlomo Truzman reported that Congregation Shir Tikvah on Portland's Eastside also had received at least one anti-Semitic letter like the ones received at his congregation.
Shir Tikvah Administrator Michael Wood confirmed that she had received one letter in all respects identical to the first sent to Ahavath Achim, except for the color of the ink used for the inscription.
According to Truzman, the first letter was sent in late August. The second letter arrived on Sept. 6.
He said the letters were turned over the Portland Police Bias Crimes Unit.
Bias Crimes Det. Molly Daul said the letters, including a fourth similar letter sent to a local messianic congregation, were undergoing forensic examination for evidences such as fingerprints and DNA.
Daul said that any suspect who may be identified as the letter writer could face misdemeanor charges under Oregon's bias crimes statutes. She added that the letters included "no outright threat," but seemed intended "more to cause alarm."
Truzman said the harassing phone calls were first reported to the Portland Police, who initially declined to pursue the issue after listening to the tapes because they concluded, according to Truzman, that there was "no immediate or implied threat."
Truzman added, however, that the FBI and the Secret Service "acted promptly" and identified the harassing caller as a local mental patient who, although institutionalized, has access to a phone.
Truzman reported that authorities interviewed the man and "he understands he has done something bad."
The graffiti incident involved the highly stylized painting of the word "Tahoe" in black paint on the northeast side of Ahavath Achim's white dome structure. Tahoe reportedly may be the name of the graffiti artist.
Both Truzman and Ahavath Achim President Richard Matza reported that the graffit artist is known to police. Police Office Katy Goodener was handling the case. She was out of her office all day each time an attempt was made to contact her and she did not return calls.
Matza covered the graffiti with white paint shortly after the incident.