Pride flag removed from Jerusalem synagogue on Yom Kippur — Jerusalem Post
In Jerusalem, Israel, unknown individuals entered the egalitarian Kol HaNeshama synagogue on Yom Kippur and removed a pride flag that had been hanging in the prayer hall. This was the fourth incident targeting the synagogue in the past month, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Entry into the synagogue
According to Rabbi Oded Mazor, the building was entered between the end of the Kol Nidrei evening service on Sunday and the start of morning prayers on Monday. He informed the congregation about the removal of the flag during the Ne'ilah evening service on Monday.
Previous incidents during the month included egg-throwing and broken windows. Last week, during Rosh Hashanah, young people wearing kippahs threw eggs at the synagogue.
Reaction of the community and the city
At the end of the Yom Kippur service, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio addressed the congregation and expressed support on behalf of the municipality. After that, the pride flag was raised again as the congregation sang.
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During the Kol Nidrei service the previous evening, Rabbi Mazor read out a message from Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion. The mayor expressed shock over the previous attacks and promised the city's support.
Kol HaNeshama synagogue, one of Jerusalem's well-known Reform synagogues, has previously been targeted because of its support for the LGBTQ community. In 2018, a large stone was thrown into its courtyard during a Simchat Torah celebration attended by more than 200 people. No one was injured then.
During Monday's services, volunteers, including residents of the Baka neighborhood who were not members of the congregation, were on duty near the synagogue.
