Woman breaks into Jewish temple, desecrates sanctuary and Torah, then returns to scare children, prosecutors say

The congregation of Emanu El is considered a holy place.

The Harris County Attorney’s Office said a woman broke into the home last Saturday and desecrated it, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

It is said that instead of appearing in court for a hearing on Friday, she returned to the temple and caused more damage.

“The damage is immeasurable,” said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Erica Winsor.

Last Saturday, according to Winsor, a rabbi preparing to hold a bar mitzvah at the Emanu El congregation encountered an unholy surprise.

“He found a man in the pulpit,” Winsor says.

This person has been identified as Ezra Lowe, and Winsor says she was not there to pray.

“There were several religious items that were removed from their place. Some were damaged, there was red wine that was drunk and also spilled,” she said.

The accusations become even more blasphemous.

“Most importantly, there was a Torah scroll that was taken from the Sacred Arch and laid out on the floor. And red wine was spilled on that scroll,” she said.

The Torah is the Hebrew scripture, handwritten in pen and ink, which can take years to rewrite.

“It can’t just be repaired. It may need to be replaced,” Winsor said.

Luo was arrested, but prosecutors say instead of appearing in court to file charges on Friday, she returned to the congregation.

She allegedly yelled and yelled at preschool children during their chapel service and then left before officials arrived.

Soon a warrant was issued for her arrest.

“Make no mistake. If you are competent and of sound mind, and your behavior offends both our feelings and the criminal code, you will have to answer for it,” said KPRC 2 legal analyst Brian Weiss.

The Bar Mitzvah was able to continue last Saturday.

KPRC 2 reported that Luo’s mental state will be assessed after she is placed in jail, but for now, she has been charged with felony disorderly conduct at a place of worship.

Officials are now working to determine whether her actions are classified as a hate crime.