A Pittsburgh woman has been sentenced to five years of probation after being convicted of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and defacing a religious building, according to Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Talya A. Lubit, 25, received her sentence from United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand. Court records state that Lubit and codefendant Mohamad Hamad conspired to damage the Chabad of Squirrel Hill, which serves as a center for Jewish educational programming and religious services in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood.
On July 29, 2024, Lubit and Hamad spray-painted “Jews 4 Palestine” along with an inverted triangle on the exterior of the Chabad building using red paint. The inverted triangle is a symbol seen in videos posted by Hamas during fighting in Gaza, where it was used to mark Israeli targets before attacks by Hamas fighters. The vandalism followed increasing animosity towards Israel by both individuals after the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack and subsequent war between Israel and Hamas.
Hamad still faces charges that include making false statements within federal jurisdiction and possession of destructive devices.
Lubit agreed to pay $10,534 in restitution for damages caused at both the Chabad property and graffiti placed on an entry sign at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
During sentencing, victim impact statements were read from representatives of both institutions. Chabad of Squirrel Hill described the incident as “not only physical but deeply symbolic” and “a painful reminder that we remain a target,” adding that it “caused distress and fear among our members.” The Jewish Federation noted that “the hateful words and symbols painted on our Federation sign revived deep feelings of fear, violation and vulnerability,” stating further that “the vandalism’s premeditated nature based on our remote location made it clear that the target was not just property, but our employees.”
“Talya Lubit instilled fear in the Pittsburgh Jewish community by spray-painting a synagogue with the mark of a designated foreign terrorist organization, along with vandalizing the sign of a building belonging to an organization that provides critical services to members of the Jewish community and others,” said Acting United States Attorney Rivetti. “Protected speech obviously does not include damaging or defacing religious property, and our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the civil rights of all members of our community to practice their faiths and to live without fear.”
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch prosecuted this case for the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police were recognized by Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti for their roles in investigating this case.
