Pacific Palisades : Synagogue Receives Apology

Twelve UCLA students who stripped fronds from a palm tree at Kehillath Israel synagogue to decorate a fraternity party last week have formally apologized to the temple, according to Peppy Stern, office manager.

Temple officials do not view the incident as anti-Semitic, but believe it was “a fraternity function that got out of hand,” she said. The students, whose names and fraternity affiliation she declined to give, have volunteered to replace the tree and the temple has accepted their offer, Stern said.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Rich Molony said the youths were stopped just before 4 a.m. last Friday when patrol officers noticed them driving a truck loaded with palm fronds. No charges were filed, he said.