The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the New York state police are examining an attack by vandals against the Jewish center in Norwich, NY. The attack caused thousands of dollars in damages to the synagogue. "We are definitely treating this as a hate crime," Norwich police chief Joseph Angelino told the ‘Press & Sun Bulletin’ newspaper. According to Angelino, not a single room was left untouched. Chairs were broken and overturned; the piano was damaged; candles were broken and strewn about; and interior windows, both clear and stained, were shattered.
"The wanton destruction of much of the Jewish center was a vicious and hateful act zealously perpetrated, I believe, by profoundly disturbed, angry persons.” said Leslie Dopkeen, co-president of the Jewish center, which contains Chenango County's only synagogue. "Their actions do not reflect the attitudes or intentions of our larger community." Dopkeen had discovered the damage Wednesday afternoon and notified police.
