Neighbors help Phoenix couple after home tagged with anti-Semitic graffiti
Jul 12, 2017, 9:51 AM | Updated: 11:19 am
PHOENIX — Ari and Shoshana Simones returned home to Phoenix from a family vacation on the Fourth of July to a strange sight — blank paper posted on their mailbox and a note from a neighbor.
Under the paper were a spraypainted anti-Semitic slur and a Nazi swastika.
But a note from the neighbor and the outpouring of support from others near 22nd Street and Glendale Avenue inspired them to do otherwise.
“We were shocked, we were very saddened, and we were upset by it,” Ari Simones said.
“But almost immediately we began receiving incredible support from neighbors who were driving by and saw it. They would stop by, some brought us flowers and very nice cards.”
The Simones tried to think about who was behind this act, saying they wracked their brains but that it could be “anything from some people in the neighborhood or even kids playing what they think is a stupid prank, up to somebody with more malicious intent.”
Ari Simones said, “Personally, I think this was an attack on all minorities, really; any group of people that maybe somebody doesn’t agree with their beliefs or their views.”
The Simones briefly considered retreating. “At first we just wanted this gone, we want it covered up, and we want our house to look normal.”
They went back and forth. “My wife came up with the idea of a B.Y.O.P. Party—Bring Your Own Paint, so we invited people to come by and [help] paint over the graffiti that’s there with symbols of love, symbols of friendship and equality and togetherness,” Ari Simones said.
The couple hosted the paint party Sunday and people from all over their neighborhood showed up to work.
(Shoshana Simones Photo)
Shoshana Simones wrote of the event, “… It was truly a special event and we are so appreciative of everyone who participated. We are also very glad that the media covered the gathering so that people could see the positive resolution to this story.”
