By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO—Writers posting on social media are debating whether Rabbi Chalom Boudjnah of the Chabad House at San Diego State University was too kind and forgiving of students who stole photographs and other personal effects from the combination prayer space and residence hall at 6115 Montezuma Road.
The burglary, captured on a security camera, showed at least two young men and two young women removing items from the bottom floor of Chabad House, where there is a prayer space and a kitchen. A third young woman was shown only partially in the footage. The video was timestamped at 2:35 a.m. the morning of April 15. Residents, who live upstairs at Chabad House, apparently did not hear the intruders.
In a May 6 Facebook post, Rabbi Boudjnah said stolen items included a photograph of his wife, Meirav, baking challah, another photograph of himself hanging a mezuzah as well as other items that “were not necessarily valuable but hold great sentimental and religious value to us and the students at Chabad House.”
With help from members of Chabad’s security team and Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, the burglars were identified as some local college students and some from out of town.
Learning that they had been identified, the perpetrators on Thursday, April 29, returned the pictures and other items to Chabad.
Boudjnah said, “I had a choice to make, after the swastikas incident on one of the dorms nearby last month. I could come down hard on them and report them to the University and the police. They would most likely be charged and expelled from school. I decided to hear them out first, so on Friday [April 30] I met them …and they were scared, and it seemed that they were sorry for their actions.
“I explained to them the gravity of the situation that entering a synagogue, stealing after the incident in Poway [on Passover 2019 when one Chabad congregant was killed by a gunman and three others wounded] could have been a fatal mistake and that they could of put themselves in a situation that would change their lives forever. I told them I wouldn’t go to the police or post their pictures and that if they were truly sorry they should write a letter of apology and commit to 10 hours of volunteering so that in a situation like this someone in need could benefit from their mistakes.”
The rabbi said that most of the perpetrators “kept their words and I believe they were sincere and followed up with me on volunteering and an apology letter.” However, “one of them just reposted a picture of himself taken during the incident.” The rabbi posted a picture of a student wearing a ski cap who appears to be signaling with one hand while holding in the other a photograph of three women examining items scattered in front of them.
San Diego State University issued a statement saying, in part, “SDSU leaders are working closely with members of the Chabad house and also offering support to other members of our Jewish community. What occurred is both offensive and unacceptable. We expect better, and members of our Jewish community deserve better. The incident has been referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSSR) for further review. CSSR investigates complaints to determine whether the University has jurisdiction to respond to behavior that is inconsistent with community values reflected in the Student Code of Conduct.”
With Shabbat approaching, Rabbi Boudjnah was unavailable Friday afternoon for comment about what has transpired since he posted that account. Officer Darius Jamsepjee of the San Diego Police Department’s media office also had no immediate comment on the situation, but other members of the community had much to say, both pro and con, about the rabbi’s decision to be lenient.
Those who agreed with the rabbi’s approach sent such messages as that from Susan Marmorstein Barzilai, who said, “You and your family are always there for our kids.” Similarly Drew Schwartz messaged: “Rabbi, You and your family are embodying and personifying compassion, clear communication and healthy boundaries to create safety. That was a rough situation you’ve dealt with and we are dealing with on a larger scale in the world. The people that you showed compassion to are likely to remember how you made them feel, reflect and ripple that feeling into the world in the future. In sort, thanks for being that role model for all of us ….”
Disagreeing, Professor Risa Levitt, who heads SDSU’s Jewish Studies program, wrote: “Apologies, but burglary and theft are criminal offenses and should be treated as such. SDSU has a problem with respect to antisemitic incidents on campus. A stronger stance and message is called for here … and a better protocol for reporting and sharing these incidents with relevant parties on campus. … I say this as a member of the Presidential Task Force on Antisemitism.”
Doris Jaffe, a Jewish community member, likewise said, “Please don’t let the perpetrators get away with this. It will only embolden them to do it again or chas v’sholim [G-d forbid] do more harm. Over the years Chabad House experienced malicious mischief and more serious events. The big picture window was busted out. The Menorah [standing outside} damaged. These are not mere pranks but antisemitism is at the root of it. Please don’t be Mr. Nice Guy. Prosecute. It will teach others there are consequences for their actions.”
Alex Skaletzky suggested that the guilty parties “do 6 months of community service and make a public apology that’s written on all social media.” He also recommended that they be required individually to do research papers on the Holocaust and antisemitism and afterward make presentations to the community. “If that is not acceptable to them then file the criminal charge.”
From Andrea Schneider came this observation: “It sounds like you handled the situation well. But it also sounds like better security needs to be installed.”
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
I think the rabbi handled the situation beautifully. Much respect.