Temple Beth El (Syracuse, New York)

Temple Beth El was a synagogue in Syracuse, New York.

The Temple building was destroyed in an arson attack on October 13, 2000.[1] Palestinian-American Ramsi Uthman was convicted in the attack.[2] Uthman, who was born in Venezuela to Palestinian parents, is a naturalized U.S. citizen.[3] Ahed Shehadeh was convicted of aiding and abetting the arson.[1] According to Shehadeh's testimony, after Uthman set fire to the Temple, he yelled "I did this for you, God!"[3]

Due to declining membership, the synagogue has closed and was sold.

References

  1. ^ a b Hate crimes: a reference handbook, Donald Altschiller, ABC-CLIO, 2005, p. 25
  2. ^ GUILTY VERDICT IN TEMPLE ARSON; RAMSI UTHMAN IS CONVICTED OF HATE CRIMES, The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) , November 25, 2003
  3. ^ a b http://www.adl.org/LEARN/news/Arsonist_Convicted.asp