BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington Police investigators are looking for the culprit who vandalized a religious artifact last month.
Officers were called to the 400 block of North College Avenue where they found a Mezuzah had been ripped off and partially burned.
A Mezuzah is a small piece of parchment containing Scripture that is kept in a small case or tube attached to the doorpost of a Jewish home. The word Mezuzah, which literally means “doorpost,” can also refer to the glass, wood, or metal case in which the parchment is stored. Observant Jews consider the Mezuzah to be a holy object and honor it as such.
The Mezuzah is affixed to the right side of the doorpost (as one enters the home or room). A special recited blessing accompanies the placement of the first Mezuzah in a home. Many Jews will touch their fingers to their lips when they enter or exit a door and then touch the Mezuzah, thus “kissing” the Mezuzah and the Word of God it contains.
Jeremy Chung Ho Park Patzelt, of Bloomington, was arrested and faces two counts of criminal mischief. Charges were filed on October 11, 2022. He is scheduled to appear in court on November 15th at 1 p.m. in Monroe County Circuit Court 3.
Bloomington police say this case remains active.
There has been an increase in antisemitism around the Indiana University campus for the last few years. Although no one has been hurt in the incidents, officials are worried the vandalism could escalate into something serious.
Indiana University Professor of Jewish Studies and founder of IU institute for the study of antisemitism Alvin Rosenfeld said, these incidents reflect an increase in antisemitism around the country due to a decline in the economy and Jews being historically blamed for that. He blames social media for fueling antisemitism, saying a “great deal of hate” is being spread on social media sites fueling anger in those exposed to the propaganda.
