The Seattle Police Department is investigating hate crime threats and a possible mental health crisis over emails sent to the Temple De Hirsch Sinai synagogue last week.
According to the East Precinct’s brief on the incident, police were called to the E Pike house of worship last Thursday afternoon after “several emails which included bias imagery and non-specific mention of mass murder” were sent to the temple.
Police say the messages included a mix of hate and possible mental health issues. “There appeared to be a crisis element involved along with criminal malicious harassment,” SPD reports.
Activities and services at the temple have continued without disruption.
SPD says the case has been assigned to a detective for follow-up and no arrest has been made.
The temple on the edge of Capitol Hill and the Central District has been targeted in previous hate threats and vandalism incidents including this 2017 graffiti spree.
In 2023, hundreds filled the temple for a “Vigil for Israel” in the days following the October 7 Hamas-led attack on the country.
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Silence will not have the last word. Capitol Hill and Seattle need to push back against these incidents in any and all ways possible, lest they become the norm. People don’t deserve this, no groups, minority or otherwise, not Jews, not anybody. Temple De Hirsch Sinai, we got your back!