Woman who vandalized W-B synagogue granted early release

BY COULTER JONES

Times-Shamrock Writer

The 19-year-old Factoryville woman who spray painted swastikas and other hate messages on a Wilkes-Barre synagogue was released from prison on probation Monday, June 22 following a hearing before a Luzerne County judge.

Nora Rynkiewicz apologized for her actions during Monday's hearing before Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., saying she has an understanding of the crimes she committed. Rynkiewicz was sentenced by Olszewski in December to nine to 18 months in prison. Her release to probation Monday is three months earlier than Olszewski's previous sentence.

Rynkiewicz and a 17-year-old accomplice vandalized the Congregation Ohav Zedek synagogue on South Franklin Street on March 29, 2008, according to prosecutors.

The duo painted swastikas on a sign and one of the doors and a Star of David over the word "Juden," a term used to identify Jewish people. Rynkiewicz pleaded guilty in October to three charges - institutional vandalism of a place of worship and criminal mischief, both third-degree felonies, and ethnic intimidation, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Two prison counselors and Rabbi Larry Kaplan testified during Rynkiewicz's Monday hearing. Kaplan, who is not affiliated with Ohav Zedek but is rabbi at Temple Israel in Wilkes-Barre, said he discussed the crimes with Rynkiewicz twice in prison and met with her family and a friend.

"I had met with her a few times that I was satisfied that she understood the severity of what had taken place and why it had such a deep effect on not only the Jewish community, but the community at large and why it would take a long time for all those wounds to heal," Kaplan said after the hearing. "Not only was there a great deal of remorse, but there was a sense that, God willing, she will be able to make the most of her life and to do good and to try and help make sure that if she sees anyone making similar actions she will work to prevent them."

Kaplan noted that the felony charges will stay on Rynkiewicz's record.

Rynkiewicz's attorney Ronald Greenblatt said that his client had a history of some mental health issues, which led to her involvement with hate groups.

"These kinds of hate groups try to pick up people like her and try to corrupt their views," he said. "Hopefully now she sees that. She's very bright."