On April 8, 2024, a suspect took a hammer to two antique light sconces on the front
of the Temple Israel synagogue. The sconces are made of stained glass and depict
Stars of David.
The Temple’s press release states that “The perpetrator struck the glass directly on
the Stars of David in a deliberate desecration of our sacred space and a bigoted
attack on our faith community.”
On Friday, Portsmouth resident Kevin O’Leary, 31, turned himself in for the crime.
Kevin O’Leary
The sconces have adorned the Temple since 1921, when the synagogue’s founders
undertook a renovation and beautification project.
“Temple Israel’s founders put all their resources into creating a sacred home for the
Jewish community with the intention that it would last into perpetuity, reflecting
their love and care,” the press release notes.
Portsmouth has provided a home to followers of the Jewish faith for centuries. The
first Jewish family settled here in 1780, with a larger presence establishing itself in
the late 1800s.
The Temple Israel community has provided fellowship for Jewish residents since
1905. The temple’s website notes that the synagogue is one of the oldest in New
England.
In 1911, the congregation bought the Methodist Church building on State Street,
opening it as a synagogue in 1912. Jewish families took up homes around the
synagogue, creating a large Jewish neighborhood in the Puddle Dock area, where
Strawbery Banke now exists.
Learn more about Temple Israel’s history at https://www.templeisraelnh.org/about/history/
Unfortunately, acts of anti-Semitism are on the rise around the country, and
Portsmouth has not been immune. In February 2023, swastikas were spray painted
on the synagogue, and some local businesses were also vandalized.
An 18-year-old named Loren Faulkner recently turned himself in for the 2023
crimes.
Detectives in the Portsmouth Police Department are continuing their investigation
into the smashing of the sconces.
A $1,000 reward is available to individuals whose information leads to arrests or
indictments. If you have information about this crime, contact Dave Keaveny,
Investigative Division Captain, at (603) 610-7511.
Photos: Kevin O’Leary: unionleader.com; sconces: WMUR; temple exterior: Temple Israel
