As Jewish people around the world began celebrating Passover on Wednesday, a Huntsville synagogue was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti.

Swastikas and racial slurs were spray-painted on the building of Etz Chayim, the Conservative synagogue on Bailey Cove Road.

“This is like a smack in the face as we try to celebrate our freedom,” said Laura King, a member of the synagogue and local leader in the Jewish community.

King said she believes the vandalism was carried out during the sacred Passover holiday to maximize the hurt felt by the congregation.

Passover is an annual commemoration of the story of Exodus. Jewish families gather in homes and retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

“Passover is a time where we gather together to celebrate our freedom from bondage, yet this year, we had to do it in isolation" because of the coronavirus pandemic, said the Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama in a statement. “To think anyone would take advantage of such a time to commit such heinous acts is the lowest of the low.

“The vicious and repugnant images found on the walls of Etz Chayim are a powerful reminder that anti-Semitism is still here and we, as a community, must come together and work tirelessly to end it," the statement says.

King said the language of the graffiti indicates those responsible were sophisticated.

The graffiti included slurs that refer to Jewish people and “Holohoax,” a term used by Holocaust deniers.

“This is something they thought about,” King said.

Lt. Michael Johnson, a Huntsville police spokesman, said the department is investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 256-722-7100.

In a statement, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said the city “condemns anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms.”

“We seek to find those who perpetrated this crime, and I urge anyone with information about the vandalism to report it to police,” Battle said. As a City, and as an inclusive community, we stand side by side with our Jewish brothers and sisters and people of all faiths. Any offense against one is an offense against all.”

Rabbi Eric M. Berk, of Huntsville’s largest Jewish temple, B’nai Sholom, said he was shocked the vandalism happened in the city and disgusted it was carried out on the first night of Passover.

“All signs point to it not being a coincidence,” he said. “It’s as if a church was vandalized on Easter Sunday.”

King said she was “numb” and shocked after hearing the news.

“This is an abomination,” she said. “But I am sure it does not reflect on the community in Huntsville. It only reflects on the people who did this.”

King said many local churches have offered their prayers and support to the synagogue. “We have tremendous support from the community,” she said.

Berk echoed that sentiment. “We’re seeing that with folks who aren’t Jewish who are out there right now helping to clean up the synagogue,” he said Thursday afternoon.

Pastor Rusty Nelson, of The Rock Family Worship Center, and his wife were among the volunteers who showed up at the synagogue Thursday morning to clean and remove the graffiti.

“We’re very connected with the Jewish community and are just here to stand in solidarity,” Nelson said. “Stuff like this just ticks me off.”

In a statement, the executive board of Temple B’nai Sholom and Rabbi Berk expressed love and support for the members of the synagogue.

“We may be different congregations, but we are all part of the greater Jewish Community of Huntsville, Alabama,” the statement says. “We stand together united against all forms of antisemitism and hate speech. We are still one people.”

This story was last updated at 3:38 p.m. with statements from Mayor Tommy Battle and the Jewish Federation of Huntsville and North Alabama.