In an act that some local religious leaders are calling a hate crime, a large metal menorah was reported stolen from Washington Square Park this week, right as the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah began.

San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Michael Andraychak says that the 100 lb menorah was reported stolen from the North Beach area park at noon on Sunday, which was both Christmas Day and the second night of Hanukkah. It was "apparently stolen during last few days," Andraychak says, describing the missing item as "approximately 6 feet tall...with a stand measuring 3 x 6 feet."

The Chron reports that the menorah was installed in the northeast corner of the park about two weeks ago by the North Beach Chabad, a local branch of "a worldwide Orthodox Jewish organization in the Hasidic tradition," NBC Bay Area reports.

The menorah's absence was noted Sunday, when Chabad members went to light the first candle of the holiday.

“We didn’t think somebody could make off with something that big,” Chabad co-director Miryum Mochkin told the Chron.

Police suspect that the menorah was targeted by unethical recyclers, who steal metal and resell it to recycling centers for reuse. But if the thief expected to get rich off the menorah, they're going to be disappointed — though brass goes for as much as $1 a pound, this menorah was made of "brass-colored steel," the Chron reports. This knocks its price down to about five cents a pound. In any case, Andraychak says that "metal recyclers are asked to be on the look out for anyone attempting to sell large brass pieces as recycled metal."

But Mochkin says that even if that's the case, her group still regards the theft as a hate crime.

“At the end of the day, someone that evil, who would target a religious symbol, is a person of darkness,” Mochkin told the Chron.

“We’re a celebration of light. They’re stuck in a dark place.”

"For somebody to, in such a public space to take a symbol that means just joy they have to be in such a dark space in their lives," Mochkin told ABC 7

"The idea that someone wants to take away that light from us, we're not going to let that happen."

There were not any anti-Semitic markings or signs at the scene, NBC Bay Area reports, saying that thieves "had also cut the power cord of lights on the Christmas tree at the same park."

"They cut the wires on the lights tree, we had to restring the tree and then low and behold they took the menorah," President of North Beach Neighbors Trish Herman told ABC 7. "So we can't be dashed by this kind of vandalism."

Police say that surveillance video from nearby businesses might offer clues. But don't you dare suggest to Mochkin (as the Chron apparently did) that they offer a reward for the menorah's safe return.

“We don’t pay ransom,” Mochkin responded. “We’d rather buy a new one than reward a thief.”

Andraychak asks anyone with information on the theft to call the SFPD anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.