Arson attempted at Phoenix temple

STEFANIE L. PEARSON
Assistant Editor

"We're gathering information on hate crimes in the hopes that we'll get an increased crime statute on our books," said Phoenix Police Detective Robert Chavez. Such legislation would allow judges to impose enhanced penalties on individuals convicted of hate crimes. Since Gov. Fife Symington vetoed a hate crimes bill last spring, Arizona remains one of 14 states that do not have such a law.

At 11 a.m. Monday, a Temple Beth Israel maintenance worker discovered damage to the door of the Taxman room, a conference room on the temple campus at 3310 N. 10th Ave., Phoenix, according to Hazzan Howard Tabaknek.

Investigators said the damage was caused by a Molotov cocktail - a glass bottle filled with gasoline and a flaming wick - thrown at the window above the door. The bottle evidently struck the metal window frame, splashing lighted gasoline on the door and window.

According to Tabaknek, the door was warped and burned, and the window cracked. Gasoline that leaked into the room through the crack caused no significant damage inside, he said. No estimates of the cost of the damage were available.

Chavez said the crime is being classified as a hate crime since the synagogue was targeted. No immediate leads or suspects were reported.

Federal officials investigating the arsons at African American churches across the nation will assist local fire department officials in examining the case, Chavez said.

Phoenix police have stepped up patrols in areas around synagogues, Chavez said. He said that normal security precautions should be taken.

Anyone with information on the Beth Israel incident, or with questions on synagogue security, should call Chavez at 262-7331, police investigations at 262-6141 or Silent Witness at 261-8600.