Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Defacement at Shaare Tefila Congregation
For Immediate Release: Tuesday 10 February
I am appalled by the damage done at the Shaare Tefila congregation in Olney today. I condemn all acts of antisemitism.
Antisemitism is on the rise across the country, and incidents like this deepen the anxiety and pain felt by our Jewish neighbors. The Montgomery County government takes every hate crime and bias incident seriously. We have invested in nonprofit security grants, expanded law enforcement resources, and created a hate bias reporting portal to ensure accountability.
Montgomery County is home to people of many faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Acts of hate—whether directed at Jews, Muslims, Christians, or any other community—undermine the safety and dignity of our neighbors and have no place here.
We will continue to speak out against bigotry in all its forms and reaffirm our commitment to being a community where everyone is respected, protected, and valued.
To report a non-emergency hate or bias incident, call 311 or complete the online form on our Hate/Bias Incident Complaint Portal at montgomerycountymd.gov/report-hate. To report a crime, call 301-279-8000. To report an emergency, call 911.
To those who commit acts of hate: you will be held accountable. To our Jewish community: you are not alone. We stand with you, and we will continue working tirelessly to keep every resident safe and ensure that Montgomery County remains a place where everyone is welcome and respected.
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Release ID: 26-005