RASH OF ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS IN HOUSTON

Rash of anti-Semitic vandalism and threats seen across Houston area
A spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes and vandalism across Houston in recent months has alarmed police and set the Jewish community on edge, investigators and activists said today.

Since September, 14 such crimes have been reported in the Houston and Harris County area. Eight occurred in a three-week period in December, said Martin Cominsky, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League. The last known incident occurred Dec. 30.

Police say they have never seen this many anti-Semitic crimes reported in such a short period of time. What's more, they have no idea who's doing it -- or if these "personal" attacks, as investigators describe them, are even related.

"We have no suspect information right now. We don't have any information," said Houston Police Department Investigator Catherine Richards. "No witnesses, no videotaping of any type. No one has come forward."

Most of the crimes involve vandalism at public places, houses of worship and a Jewish community center. But there have also been threatening messages left on answering machines at synagogues in Houston and the Woodlands.

Police are concerned the crimes could eventually escalate to violent acts if the perpetrators aren't stopped. "This has put fear in people's minds ... This is very personal now," Richards said.

Police discussed the disturbing trend today while showing photographs of the vandalism. They announced a Crime Stoppers reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest and charges.

In some cases, the words "Juden Raus" -- meaning "Jews Out" -- were painted on sidewalks and benches in southwest Houston. The slogan was the title of an infamous board game in Germany during the 1930s that capitalized on the Nazi era, but sold poorly.

Swastikas also were painted on eight of the large red domes decorating overpasses along the Southwest Freeway, and obscenities aimed at Jewish people were painted on a wall at a Montrose restaurant. Swastikas and slogans such as "Jews Die" were scratched into the doors of Congregation Brith Shalom in Bellaire and Congregation Emanu El.

Sometimes the vandals went to considerable effort. Swastikas were etched into window panes at the Houston Hillel student center and the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, actually eating through part of the glass in the former case.