Lincoln Road's traditional seashell menorah was vandalized over the weekend when someone spray painted the words "You Killed Jesus" near the Holiday symbol. The giant menorah, which is displayed alongside a similar dreidel, was created by artist Roger Abramson and has become a Hanukkah tradition on Miami Beach.
The message of hate was marked on concrete supporting a raised area of grass where the symbols stands. It was quickly painted over.
The display also has a tradition of being vandalized.
"Originally, it had a history," Abramson told WSVN. "The very first year, it was dealt a great deal of violence, and that's why we built it out of shells because the first year it was torn down three times."
Indeed, the seashell construction does provide for some quick cleanup. Vandalized seashells are easily removed and replaced.
On Monday, a group of interfaith Miami Beach residents gathered around the menorah and prayed for religious tolerance.
Anyone with information on who may have vandalized the display is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
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