SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The House of Israel in Balboa Park, hit with vandalism in the last three days, will close until further notice, according to Ruth Mastron, its president. Located among the international cottages near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the House of Israel offers exhibits about Israel and is well-known for serving bourekas to visitors.
In an online message, Mastron explained on Wednesday, Oct. 18: “You may have heard that a window was broken last night at the House of Israel. Fortunately, we were closed, and no one was inside. However, this is the second time in three days we have had to call the police.
“I continue to believe in the value of our core mission to welcome, inform, and educate about our wonderful country of Israel, ancient homeland of the Jewish people. But after a day of reflection, consultation, and soul-searching, I’ve concluded that we cannot guarantee the safety of volunteers, neighboring houses and visitors. I could not live with myself if anyone were to be harmed because I failed to take the painful and unprecedented but necessary decision to close the House of Israel until further notice.
“I am disappointed by this decision as anyone else, if not more so, but managing the current situation calls for competencies and resources I simply do not have, so I call upon the Jewish/Israeli community to come together to ensure the future of the House of Israel.”
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Preceding provided by the House of Israel.
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