Three public London menorahs vandalised in less than a week

[Missing Credit]The Muswell Hill menorah

In the days after Sunday’s terror attack in Sydney, flowers and cards bearing messages of sympathy had been laid at the base of the Muswell Hill menorah.

“We’ve been heartbroken since the attack on Sunday, yet we’ve been heartened by the outpouring of support since,” Rabbi Boruch Altein of Crouch End Chabad told the JC.

“The darkness will not stop us,” he insisted.

“We’re not going to be intimidated by this damage. We will increase the light – continuing to add goodness and kindness – and when good people join together, we far outnumber the hate.”

[Missing Credit]Flowers for the victims of the Bondi Beach attack at the base of the Muswell Hill menorah

Rabbi Altein said the menorah will be “back up and running” later today, and encouraged members of the public to attend a lighting ceremony taking place this Sunday at 4pm.

“All are welcome to join in and stand proud,” he said.

Superintendent Owen Renowden, the Met’s hate crime lead, said: “This has been a tremendously difficult week for the Jewish community following the terror attack in Australia this weekend, and I appreciate how these hate crime incidents will cause further hurt and distress.

“We’re working closely with local partners, including religious leaders, and have put in place additional visible patrols. We are treating these reports extremely seriously and will update further when we can.”