Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Supervisor Proposes $20,000 Reward for Info Leading to Jewish Center Mural Vandals

CITY NEWS SERVICE

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion Tuesday calling on the county to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the person or people responsible for vandalizing a mural at the site of the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center that burned in the Eaton Fire last year.

The mural in the 1400 block of North Altadena Drive was vandalized with swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti sometime Friday, according to the county sheriff’s department.

The mural, depicting an orange poppy as a symbol of hope, was produced by artist Miriam Hellmann, the Art over Hate Collective, the Sparks of Kindness Youth Fund and religious school students, volunteers and community members. It was created earlier this year in response to an act of vandalism in which antisemitic graffiti was painted on a wall of the fire-damaged center.

“An attack motivated by hate against one community is an attack against us all,” Barger said in a statement after introducing her reward motion, which will be heard by the board next week. “The antisemitic vandalism at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center has no place in Los Angeles County. This congregation has already endured the devastation of the Eaton Fire and is working to rebuild. They should not have to face hateful acts intended to intimidate them. Those responsible must be held fully accountable.”‘

She said her proposed reward will apply to information leading to convictions in either or both of the acts of vandalism at the center.

Officials at the center wrote on social media over the weekend that the mural is a “symbol of hope, resilience, and solidarity — not just for PJTC, but for the entire Altadena community.”

“Today, we are deeply saddened and outraged by this act, but we refuse to let it define our community,” the congregation said. “We are working closely with law enforcement and our security partners as the incident is investigated and as we determine the next steps to restore the mural.”

The temple posted another message Sunday thanking the community for its support.

“We simply want to say thank you to everyone who reached out with messages of care, solidarity, and support since antisemitic graffiti was discovered on our mural on Friday. Your care and kindness reminded us that we are not facing this alone,” the temple posted on social media Sunday.

“… We’re also deeply grateful to local officials for standing with us, and the local and national media who helped shine a light on what happened. Sharing these stories matters. It raises awareness, confronts antisemitism, and reminds our wider community that hate has no place here.”