Beverly Hills School District Decries Swastika at Elementary School

A swastika was found Monday morning on the sidewalk just outside El Rodeo Elementary School, prompting swift condemnation from Beverly Hills Unified School District officials who called the act a direct attempt to intimidate Jewish students and families on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

The district removed the graffiti immediately and reported the incident to the Beverly Hills Police Department, which has launched an active investigation. Security cameras captured clear images of the person responsible, and authorities released those photos to the public Monday afternoon while asking anyone with information to come forward.

Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss said the timing of the vandalism, discovered hours before the start of the Jewish New Year, made the incident especially painful.

“Every student deserves to come to school without fear,” Cherniss said in a statement. “Our district will act with transparency, responsibility, and care when hate harms our community. Your safety is our top priority.”

District leaders stressed that antisemitism and all forms of hate have no place in Beverly Hills schools. Officials noted recent campus safety upgrades, including expanded surveillance systems, emergency training, and updated threat response protocols, and pledged to review whether additional measures are needed.

The school remained open Monday, and counselors were made available to students and staff affected by the incident.

Updates will be provided to families and the community as the police investigation continues.