In response to the incorrectly-depicted swastika and other anti-Jewish graffiti painted outside the home of a Birmingham Jewish family this past week, our local news media, to its credit, reacted immediately and has continued to provide excellent coverage.

We thank the media for these efforts which have alerted people to the incident and created a wave of awareness and positive feedback. Many of the news stories quoted information that had appeared in Update and highlighted the role that The Birmingham Jewish Federation was playing in responding to this incident.

While the incident continues to be highly disturbing, it is gratifying to see that our local news media members rely on our BJF Update for information. One of those is Birmingham News reporter William Singleton III who has been covering the swastika incident. Here's an excerpt from one of his latest stories:

People across the Birmingham-Hoover metro area are condemning an incident involving racial graffiti being spray-painted at a Vestavia Hills home earlier this week.

Homeowners Richard and Kelly Kahn on Tuesday night discovered an incorrectly drawn swastika on a sidewalk near their home, according to the Birmingham Jewish Federation.

Along with the swastika, a Jewish star and obscenities aimed at the homeowners' teenage daughter were painted at the house.

The incident has been reported to police, but no arrests have been made.

Vestavia Hills Mayor Alberto "Butch" Zaragoza spoke out against the incident. "We definitely don't like this in Vestavia Hills," he said. "We think it's inappropriate. Everyone needs to be able to live their lives and live their beliefs without harassment. We do not condone this at all in our community."

Click for the rest of Singleton's story.

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSES

The Birmingham Jewish Federation thanks all those who contacted us through emails, phone calls and Facebook messages. Particularly moving were the many responses from Birmingham's Christian community.

One of those came from Update reader Al Manzella, Executive Director of Catholic Family Services for the Diocese of Birmingham, who shared the following in an email:

The use of a swastika on the property of a Jew is pure terrorism. The swastika was and is used for the extermination of the Jewish people. Genocide is not harassment or intimidation or a symbol of hatred, it is the essence of evil.

The city of Vestavia Hills needs to move quickly to address the use of terrorism by its young citizens against a Jewish family. Youthfulness is not an excuse for this form of terror. In fact, the swastika used by a youthful Hitler inspired many of his young followers to murder millions of Jews. Although most of the perpetrators of the Holocaust are dead now their legacy lives on. This and future generations will continue to see the swastika and must be prepared to address its real meaning.

Please let me know if I can do anything to help. I don't mind speaking, participating in a workshop, anything you need. This is extremely serious and needs to be stopped before it grows. God bless you and and all my Jewish brothers and sisters.