Minnetonka, MN – large glass pane near the front circle of Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka was broken by what was believed to be a pellet or BB gun late last week. Synagogue leadership notified its community Monday about what happened.
“Law enforcement officials do not believe this incident to be targeted or religiously motivated, or that there is an ongoing threat,” the email said. “Still, we felt an obligation to inform the congregation while this investigation is ongoing. Because our windows are double paned, it will take several weeks to repair the damage.”
Adath Executive Director Miranda Weisbuch said that a pellet was found on the exterior of the building and is being tested by police. Video of the time period this was believed to have happened, between nightfall on Sept. 29 and the morning of Sept. 30, was also turned over to the police.
“If we really thought it was a threat, we’d be making a much larger deal about it,” Weisbuch said, adding that there will be the usual Minnetonka Police Department presence at the synagogue for the high holidays. “We don’t want to deter people from coming.”
Capt. Andy Gardner of the Minnetonka Police Department echoed Wesibuch’s sentiment that this was not motivated by bias.
“From our standpoint, absent some graffiti, letter, statement, or intel that comes from the [Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas], there’s nothing to suggest this was bias-motivated,” he said.
“We are grateful for assurances from law enforcement that gathering together at Adath remains safe,” the Adath email concluded. “As we prepare to usher in Yom Kippur, we pray for the strength to feel renewal and the blessings of community.”
