City Jewish leaders, officials, law enforcement emphasize education as best response to antisemitic graffiti at State School

LACONIA — Local Jewish community leaders praised the city's response to the discovery of new antisemitic graffiti on the former Laconia State School property that threatened a Jewish resident during a meeting with city officials and law enforcement Tuesday afternoon.

“You guys reached out to us quickly, you organized things, you made it happen. You rallied everybody instantly. This is unique,” Ira Keltz, president of Temple B’nai Israel in Laconia, told city officials. “Most places, this wouldn't happen.”

“We are overwhelmed; overwhelmed at the love and attention and support and solidarity that has come forth in such a small amount of time from all of you,” temple Rabbi Jan Katz said. She added she had received particular support from other faith leaders in the region.

The meeting was called two days after a local resident discovered vandalism on an outbuilding and water tower on the former State School property that included included swastikas, references to and recruiting information for white supremacist groups, an antisemitic slur and a threat naming a prominent member of the city’s Jewish community. The graffiti has since been painted over.

In attendance were Mayor Andrew Hosmer, City Manager Kirk Beattie, Keltz, Katz, Police Chief Matt Canfield, County Attorney Andrew Livernois, Ward 1 City Councilor Bruce Cheney — whose ward includes the State School property — Ward 4 Councilor Mark Haynes, School Board Chair Jennifer Anderson and three members of the city’s Human Relations Committee, Chair David Stamps and members David Osman and Patrick Wood. The resident threatened by the vandalism also attended.

The group discussed how the city is already responding to the discovery — including an investigation in coordination with the FBI and the Civil Rights Unit of the state Attorney General’s Office — and how it ought to continue its response going forward. While the safety of all city residents and a thorough investigation were emphasized, education, awareness and solidarity were cited as the most important ways to combat hate in the community.

“The act is despicable, but the way in which we respond is a reflection of our morality more than anything,” Katz said. 

“The world isn't going to get repaired with a conviction of trespass or vandalism, or perhaps even with a hate crime enhancement on the penalty. I mean, that is about punishment — and punishment sometimes is not only earned, it's deserved — but that is a narrower, more limited lens through which to view this,” Osman said. Through education and restorative justice, “you can use this moment to help repair this community.”

“We need to focus on the education of our young people,” Keltz said. “The people who may be doing this, whether they're in their teens or young adults or older, we're not going to change them or their opinions or their beliefs. It's got to start with the schools early on. ... That's where we can make a difference in the years to come.” 

The graffiti, found Sunday, comes as white supremacist propaganda activity is surging nationwide, regionally and in New Hampshire. According to a March report by the Anti-Defamation League, New England saw a 96% jump in white supremacist propaganda activity in 2022, with New Hampshire seeing the largest increase in the region at 383%.

As with antisemitic graffiti found at Opechee Park and the Laconia Public Library last year, the discovery of this tagging comes during the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Neo-Nazi graffiti was also found on the State School property at the end of last year. Lakes Region faith institutions, including the temple, have recently received federal grant funding to increase their security.

Beyond Laconia, more than 15 sites with swastika graffiti were found in Portsmouth, including at a synagogue, in February. Neo-Nazis protested at a cafe in Concord in June. In Franklin, a Jewish restaurant owner was harassed online and threatened by neo-Nazis after condemning an antisemitic group on social media last year. This month, she sued the city of Franklin and its police chief for allegedly failing to seriously investigate the matter and failing to protect her.

This surge raises questions about how local leaders can both proactively and reactively make their communities safer and more inclusive.  

City leaders at Tuesday’s meeting discussed future plans for continued solidarity and action, including a vigil in the next few weeks and continued collaboration with faith groups, schools and law enforcement. 

Keltz pointed to Laconia as a positive example. 

“You guys have checked all the boxes. ... We’re receiving support from all over the Lakes Region, faith communities and otherwise, and everyone here is really motivated to offer support. And that's all we can ask for at this point,” Keltz said. “There's nothing else we really need other than to get the word out that this has happened and that we will respond not with negativity, not hate, but rather with solidarity, unity, compassion and understanding.

“Something good should come from this.”

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Ward 4 Councilor Mark Haynes also attended the Tuesday meeting.