$141K donated for vandalized Jewish cemetery

Concerned citizens have donated more than $141,000 for restorations and repairs to a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia's Wissinoming section where vandals toppled an estimated 100 headstones.

Naomi Adler, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, said 1,650 people had donated more than $120,000 to the Federation's fundraiser for Mount Carmel Cemetery as of Tuesday afternoon.

"It's just phenomenal," Adler said. "I am really heartened by the response."

A separate GoFundMe campaign has also raised an additional $21,000.

The desecration of the graves at the cemetery on the corner of Frankford and Cheltenham Avenues was first reported to police on Sunday, though a superintendent from another cemetery who visited the site said he noticed the damage as early as Feb. 21.

Word of the vandalism made headlines worldwide following a similar incident the prior week at a cemetery in suburban St. Louis, Mo.

Not only have donations poured in for cemetery repairs, but a reward to catch the vandals responsible has also grown to $50,000.

A "Stand Against Hate" event organized by the Federation is being held at noon Thursday on Independence Mall in response to the vandalism.