Jewish Store Vandalized In Brookline: Police Investigating

BROOKLINE, MA — A Jewish grocery store fell victim to what has been described as an anti-semitic hate crime when a brick was thrown through the business’s window this weekend, according to the Brookline Police Department.

The Butcherie is located on 428 Harvard St. on the south side of Coolidge Corner. A brick with “Free Palestine” was thrown through the main window with a map of Israel on it sometime overnight on Saturday, June 14, as owner Gil Zilberberg discovered his store vandalized when he arrived on Sunday morning.

Police Chief Jennifer Paster said she has no tolerance for political violence and hate of any kind in town.

“This was not simply an act of property damage, and it is not plainly vandalism. This was a targeted, hateful message meant to intimidate a Jewish-owned business and our broader Jewish community. Brookline is a place of inclusion, dignity, and respect,” Paster said.

Based on initial investigation, police believe at least two masked people approached the store from Coolidge Street before throwing the brick and then leaving in the same direction. The investigation remains ongoing as of Monday.