A mural erected at the site of a Jewish temple that burned in the Eaton Fire in January of 2025 was recently vandalized with swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti, the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center announced on social media Friday.

“Today, we are deeply saddened and outraged by this act, but we refuse to let it define our community,” the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center wrote on social media. “We are working closely with law enforcement and our security partners as the incident is investigated and as we determine the next steps to restore the mural.”

The mural, located on the 1400 block of Altadena Drive in an unincorporated area of Pasadena, was created in response to a previous act of antisemitism, the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center said.

“The mural became something much bigger,” the social media post reads. “It grew into a symbol of hope, resilience, and solidarity – not just for [the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center], but for the entire Altadena community.”

A mural erected at the site of a Jewish temple that burned in the Eaton Fire in January of 2025 was recently vandalized with swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti, the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center announced on social media Friday. (Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center)

Photos of the vandalism show writing reading “Zionzim is not welcome,” possibly a reference to Zionism.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization that works to stop the defamation of Jewish people and ensure fair treatment to all, defines Zionism as the movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland of Israel. The ADL notes that not all Jewish people explicitly identify as Zionists. 

State Sen. Sasha Renee Perez, who represents Senate District 25, which includes the Pasadena area, called the vandalism a “hate crime.”

“It is truly disturbing and particularly cruel to spread hate and inflict fresh pain on the congregation of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center,” Perez said in a statement. “This community discovered antisemitic graffiti had been written on a new mural that was created to foster community healing after a previous hate crime in January.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incident as a “hate-motivated act of vandalism” the department said.

LASD Altadena Station Capt. Ethan Marquez said that the department condemns acts of antisemitic vandalism “in the strongest possible terms.”

“Crimes motivated by hate have no place in our community,” Marquez said. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation, holding those responsible accountable, and standing with our Jewish community, all faith communities, and every resident against all forms of hatred and intolerance.”

Perez is publicly calling for justice in the case. No suspects have been identified in the case at this time.

“I am deeply concerned by this latest attack and the person or people responsible must be held accountable,” Perez said. “I know the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center congregation will once again find the resolve and spirit to heal from this act of ignorance and intolerance.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the LASD Altadena station at (626) 798-1131.