New York, NY, October 10, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was deeply disturbed by the anti-Semitic vandalism of a Jewish cemetery in the Town of Warwick in Orange County.

According to reports, on the morning of October 9, the gates of Temple Beth Shalom cemetery were discovered littered with large swastikas, “Heil Hitler” and the letters “SS”, all scrawled in thick black spray paint. The vandalism comes mere days before Jews everywhere observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for the Jewish community.

“This crime is deeply disturbing, both for its timing and location,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “Violating such a sacred space with symbols of anti-Semitism and hate is deeply painful and offensive to the entire community. The fact that it was carried out just before Yom Kippur, the most solemn day of the Jewish calendar, only serves to compound the horrible and offensive nature of this act.”

According to ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, which tracks both criminal and non-criminal acts of anti-Semitism, New York State experienced a 17 percent decline in anti-Semitic incidents in 2015, including 14 incidents in Westchester, Rockland County and upstate.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY