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Man disguised as rabbi tries to enter Jewish center as 'prank,' Tennessee police say

Natalie Demaree, The Charlotte Observer on

Published in Religious News

Wearing a fake beard and unnatural lock curls, a Tennessee man entered a Jewish community center as part of an “internet prank” that ultimately landed him in jail, police said.

As 31-year-old Travis Garland walked into the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Nashville at about 7:45 p.m. Jan. 13, he was stopped by a front desk staff member who noticed him holding a phone up to look like he was recording, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a Jan. 16 news release.

At that point, Garland — disguised to look like an Orthodox Jewish rabbi — asked the staff member to speak with a religious leader, but she told him there wasn’t a rabbi around, police said.

The 31-year-old then ignored the staffer and tried to bypass her to an open a door, but a security guard arrived and asked him to leave, police said.

After continuing to insist on speaking with a rabbi, Garland cooperated and the security guard escorted him off the premises, police said.

When officers arrived, Gordon told them it was an “internet prank,” and he was allowed to leave after a warning, police said.

 

But an investigation following the incident identified Gordon as part of a white supremacist group, The Tennessean reported.

According to WTVF, Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk appeared in court to ask for a high bond to be set for Gordon, pointing to antisemitic remarks on Garland’s Telegram profile.

Gordon was charged with assault, police said. He was taken to the Downtown Detention Center on Jan. 16 on a $250,000 bond, according to the release.

“While it’s unfortunate that antisemitism exists and persists in today’s world, we are not intimidated by these bad actors,” Jesse Feld, executive director of the Gordon Jewish Community Center, told The Tennessean. “We are committed to continually providing a safe and secure environment for our vibrant Jewish community to continue to grow.”

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