Bishop supports synagogue after NSW Nazi vandalism

A Catholic bishop extended his sympathy yesterday to a small Jewish community under siege from racist vandals.

The Newcastle Synagogue has been spray-painted with swastikas and Nazi references such as "Hitler was ′ere", "Jews must die" and "Six million more".

Seven leadlight windows were smashed, along with two other windows, and eggs were thrown at the building.

Police said the attack occurred on Wednesday night, which would have been Adolf Hitler′s 116th birthday, and only a few days before the start of the Jewish Passover.

Synagogue president David Gubbay said he had received a message of condolence from Michael Malone, Catholic Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle.

"It was very kind for the bishop to call up," Mr Gubbay said yesterday. "We were hoping to have all the mess cleaned up today but, because it′s the Sabbath, we didn′t want to have any work done so we thought we′d wait until tomorrow."

The racist taunts were painted on the wooden doors and brick walls of the Tyrrell Street synagogue, which has about 30 people in its congregation.

Neighbours told police they heard glass smashing about 2.15am then saw two young men run along the street.

The graffiti included a crossed-out Star of David and "88", neo-Nazi code for "Heil Hitler".