California Menorah Destroyed, Pieces Thrown in Lake as Vandals Warn Jews They’re ‘On F—ing Alert’

Vandals destroyed a menorah in Oakland, California Tuesday night, spraying hateful graffiti on the ground nearby and throwing the remains of the Hanukkah symbol onto the ground and into a lake.

Video from the scene at Lake Merritt Wednesday morning showed the menorah broken into dozens of pieces, with the Jewish Community Relations Council describing the vandalism as "just the latest example of rampant antisemitism tearing apart the Bay Area."

One photo showed the graffiti sprayed onto the ground close to where the menorah had stood.

"Your org is dying," the graffiti said "We're going to find you, you're on F---ing alert a--hole."

Mayor Sheng Thao said she had asked the Oakland Police Department to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

"I want to be very clear that what happened was not just an attack on Oakland's Jewish community but our entire city and our shared values," the mayor said in a statement posted to X.

"We stand together against hate, against antisemitism and against bigotry in any form. And when someone commits such a crime, they are attacking the foundation of our City. As mayor, I know I speak for all Oaklanders in saying we condemn these acts."

Police were later spotted on the scene, while city workers had retrieved many of the broken parts.

The Messenger approached the City of Oakland for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The menorah is one of the key symbols of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, lit each night of the eight-day celebration.

The JCRC said that a new menorah would be lit tonight at 5:30 p.m. local time.