Man vandalized "YO/OY" statue outside Jewish museum in Philadelphia, police say

Police in Philadelphia are looking for a man they say vandalized a statue outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History earlier this month. 

The man vandalized the yellow "YO/OY" sculpture outside the museum near 6th and Market streets shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug. 13, Philadelphia police said. Surveillance video appears to show the man vandalizing the statue and then entering the SEPTA 5th Street station through the southeast stairs. 

Police describe the man as 50-60 years old with tattoos, wearing a white tank top, khaki shorts and red and white Nike Air Jordans.

The vandalism has already been cleaned up, the museum said. 

"At a time of heightened antisemitism and hatred directed at Jews in America and around the world, incidents like this are deeply troubling – but they will not intimidate us or change who we are," the museum said in a statement.

In a Facebook post, Mayor Cherelle Parker said the vandalism "must be condemned" and police are working to hold the vandals accountable. 

"At this time in our country with a rising number of acts of religious hatred, we must stand together and visibly and clearly reject every such act," she said in the post.

The museum building and its Israeli flag were also vandalized in August 2025.

Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the country for antisemitic incidents in recent years, which are rising, according to a 2025 report from the Anti-Defamation League.

Anyone with information should contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3047 or 215-686-3048.