The Chabad UF Jewish Center was vandalized by an unknown assailant on Friday morning.

According to a Chabad UF press release, the center was tagged with antisemitic graffiti and hateful slurs. Local law enforcement was contacted and Chabad UF will pursue legal charges against the perpetrator, along with increasing security protocols to ensure the safety of the Center’s staff, guests, employees, visitors and participants.

The release stated, “This is an attempt to intimidate us and the proud Jewish Life and Learning Chabad UF provides to the students and community.

“We will not be cowed by hate, but will in fact double our efforts to strengthen Judaism, advocate for Israel and continue to bring light and joy to the UF, SFC and Gainesville communities.”

The release noted that the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, survived the evils of Vichy France, Nazi Germany and Bolshevik Russia, stated, “that the only effective response to anti-Semitism is to increase and strengthen Jewish activity and observance.”

In November, University of Florida police arrested a 24-year-old graduate student for vandalizing a pro-Israel sign in front of a Jewish fraternity house on the UF campus. Antisemitic incidents are ramping up throughout the world following the Hamas terrorist organization attacking Israel on Oct. 7. 

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Gainesville Police Department at 352-393-7500 and notify Rabbi Berl Goldman at 325-256-3323 or 352-336-5877.