Acts of vandalism prompted a closure Thursday of the House of Israel at Balboa Park, one of a group of nation-centric cultural centers at the park designed to promote international goodwill.
The temporary shuttering of the cultural attraction on Pan American Plaza, near Spreckels Organ Pavilion, came after the cottage was maliciously damaged for a second time this week, House of Israel President Ruth Mastron announced Thursday in a social media post.
"You may have heard that a window was broken last night at the House of Israel," Mastron wrote. "Fortunately we were closed, and no one was inside. However, this is the second time in three days we have had to call the police."
Rabbi Scott Meltzer, of the nearby Ohr Shalom Synagogue, said there had been a rise in antisemitism in recent years, and the Jewish community has been on alert.
“The fear of violence is real,” he said.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there has been a rise in antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
“It is tragic when we lose our ability to engage in civil discourse," Meltzer said. "It doesn't mean we all agree. It doesn't mean we all agree — but our inability to talk, and instead it becomes vandalism, it becomes violence.”
San Diego Police Department Sgt. Adam Sharki said the investigation is ongoing as a possible hate crime but police have yet to label the vandalism as such.
It was unclear how long the center — one of 31 representing various international cultures at the park — would remain closed, though Mastron said a reopening would occur "as soon as possible in a way that will ensure the safety of our volunteers and visitors."
"I continue to believe in the value of our core mission to welcome, inform and educate about our wonderful country of Israel, ancient homeland of the Jewish people," she stated.
"But after a day of reflection, consultation and soul-searching, I've concluded that we cannot guarantee the safety of volunteers, neighboring houses and visitors," Mastron added. "I could not live with myself if anyone were to be harmed because I failed to take the painful but necessary decision to close the House of Israel until further notice."
