Community rallies as vandalized Pasadena temple mural is restored amid hate-crime probe

On Thursday, dozens of community members gathered at the site of the former Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center to stand with congregants whose newly commissioned mural was defaced with swastikas and a misspelled “ZIONSIM IS NOT WELCOME” tag. The vandalism, which followed earlier antisemitic graffiti on the surviving wall from January, prompted a hate-crime investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Altadena Station, though authorities have not identified how many individuals were involved.

The mural, funded by seniors Caleb Yellin and Audrey Farahnik through the Sparks of Kindness Youth Fund and painted by scenic artist Miriam Hellmann, features a bright orange poppy, butterfly, peacock and now an olive-branch symbol referencing a biblical peace story. Hellmann spent the day restoring the piece and applying a new anti-graffiti coating. Rabbi Josh Ratner condemned the act as an assault on the broader community, while County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced a $20,000 reward for tips. Meanwhile, PJTC members are sharing worship space at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, which also hosts the Islamic Center of Southern California.