URGENT UPDATE: Police have arrested a man accused of vandalizing a menorah built by a Holocaust survivor outside a synagogue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Austin Smalls, 29, turned himself in on January 2, 2024, following a police warrant for his arrest, according to the Bridgeport Police Department.
The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on December 24, 2023, at the Congregation B’nai Israel on Park Avenue. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Smalls arriving in his vehicle and violently rocking the menorah until it toppled over, shattering it on the ground. This shocking act of vandalism has deeply affected the local community, especially given the menorah’s significance.
Senior Rabbi Evan Schultz expressed the emotional weight of the destruction, stating, “To deepen the wound, that menorah was built by the wonderful grandfather of children who grew up here at B’nai Israel. He built this menorah as a gift to the synagogue, crafted by his own two hands.” The menorah was left in pieces, caught in bushes, illustrating the profound loss felt by congregation members.
Just hours after the vandalism, police arrested Smalls several miles away for an unrelated incident, where he was reportedly driving the same vehicle and wearing the same clothing seen during the vandalism. The police had not yet received reports about the menorah when Smalls was taken into custody.
Smalls now faces charges of third-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. A judge has ordered him to stay away from the synagogue. He is currently free on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on February 10, 2024.
This incident highlights the continuing impact of hate and vandalism against cultural symbols. Community members are left to grapple with the emotional fallout as they work towards healing and rebuilding. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as authorities continue their investigation.
