New York, NY, March 2, 2017… The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today condemned the vandalism of a Jewish cemetery in Rochester, NY.  At least 16 headstones were toppled in the Waad Hakolel Cemetery in Rochester, also known as the Stone Road Cemetery, which has been in use by the local Jewish community since the 1920s.

In response to this crime, ADL is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the desecration.

Although it remains unclear if the attack was motivated by anti-Semitism, it was the third incident targeting Jewish cemeteries in the last two weeks. Burial grounds in the Philadelphia and St. Louis areas have been similarly vandalized with toppled headstones and other damage.

“We are deeply disturbed by the vandalism committed against the Jewish community’s cemetery in Rochester,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “Coming on the heels of two other similar attacks on Jewish cemeteries in other cities, it is that much more troubling, and we hope authorities can bring the perpetrators to justice and send a message that this kind of behavior is simply unacceptable.”

ADL is in contact with the Rochester Jewish Community and has offered its full support and communal security resources.

The attack comes amid a climate of rising anti-Semitism around the country, and at a time when more than 120 Jewish Community Centers across the country have received telephone bomb threats.

ADL urges anyone with information on this crime to report it immediately to the Rochester Area Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY