Vernon Hill Jewish congregation comes together after antisemitic vandalism at Congregation Or Shalom synagogue on Hawthorn Parkway
A Jewish congregation is turning hate into love after someone graffitied their property with antisemitic remarks .
The Vernon Hills synagogue printed out all the letters of support that have been sent in, covering themselves with love not just from the Jewish community, but from people of all walks of life.
Laurie Akers says when she saw the words "hate Jews" spray painted on the walls outside her synagogue, Congregation Or Shalom Cantor, she got on her knees, scrubbed and literally washed the hate away.
"It's very frightening," Akers said. "I was really thinking of moments back into the holocaust where there were Jewish people who were asked to go onto sidewalks and wash off swastikas."
Like generations before her, the Congregation Or Shalom is turning the hate into love.
"In our tradition that we focus so much on recognizing that even in curses, there are opportunities to find blessings," Rabbi Ari Margolis said.
Margolis says that blessing means creating a faith filled mural on the very spot that was graffitied last Sunday. He says it's been encouraging to know they are not facing hate alone.
"We are not just emotionally hugged, but we are literally surrounded by the love," Margolis said.
Their sanctuary walls are now covered in colorful letters, emails and notes of support from those of all backgrounds.
"These walls have always protected our Jewish community, but the doors are opening the community to all the other blessings," congregant Jessica Ceisel.
The congregation is hosting their typical Friday night Shabbat, but this time it will have nearly 300 people from the community in the room including those of other faiths.
"We're all part of one family," said Pastor Alex Molozaiy with Community Protestant Church. "Do we agree all the time? No, but what family does?"
It's a reminder that even in hate, humanity can rise.
"That was one person with a spray paint can who's putting out a message of hate," Margolis said. "There are so many more voices of hope."
