An Orthodox synagogue in Brooklyn, N.Y., had its windows broken during an act of vandalism on the evening of Oct. 4.
A spokesperson for the New York Police Department told the Journal that the man used a flagpole to break the windows of the Shore Parkway Jewish Center; he then entered the synagogue and continued to damage the property. The suspect, a 25-year-old man, was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary and criminal mischief hate crimes.
Anti-Defamation League New York / New Jersey tweeted, “We are deeply unsettled to learn that a synagogue’s window in Brooklyn was damaged. This should never happen but it is painful to see one of our spiritual homes vandalized during the festival of Sukkot. [Thank you] @NYPDHateCrimes for swiftly investigating.”
We are deeply unsettled to learn that a synagogue’s window in Brooklyn was damaged. This should never happen but it is painful to see one of our spiritual homes vandalized during the festival of Sukkot. TY @NYPDHateCrimes for swiftly investigating. #NY is #NoPlaceForHate https://t.co/c9h7ZyWdQZ
— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) October 5, 2020
Various local politicians condemned the vandalism.
“Disgusted by the anti-Semitic attack on the Shore Parkway Jewish Center last night,” Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.) tweeted. “I’ve spoken to the synagogue’s leadership and a suspect has been arrested. None of us can be quiet in the face of anti-Semitism. We all must stand together to confront this timeless hatred.”
Disgusted by the anti-Semitic attack on the Shore Parkway Jewish Center last night. I've spoken to the synagogue's leadership and a suspect has been arrested. None of us can be quiet in the face of anti-Semitism. We all must stand together to confront this timeless hatred.
— Max Rose (@MaxRose4NY) October 5, 2020
New York Assemblymember and congressional candidate Nicole Malliotakas, a Republican, similarly tweeted, “Shocked to hear that The Synagogue at the Shore Parkway Jewish Center was vandalized late last night leaving broken windows and other significant damage. Thankfully, the NYPD arrested a suspect.”
She added in a subsequent tweet, “There is no place in our city or nation for anti-Semitism & it will take people of every faith to stop it.”
Shocked to hear that The Synagogue at the Shore Parkway Jewish Center was vandalized late last night leaving broken windows and other significant damage. Thankfully, the NYPD arrested a suspect. Attacks on our religious institutions cannot be tolerated…(1/2)
— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) October 5, 2020
…There is no place in our city or nation for anti-Semitism & it will take people of every faith to stop it. I have fought against ant-Semitism during my career in Albany & will continue to do so in Washington when I represent Southern Brooklyn & Staten Island in Congress. (2/2)
— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) October 5, 2020
New York Democratic Assemblymember William Colton wrote in a Facebook post, “Another terrible hate crime incident has occurred last night at the Shore Parkway Jewish Center. An individual broke in during the early morning hours and destroyed the sukkah and many furnishings and religious articles in the sanctuary, as well as breaking windows. Fortunately the [individual] was apprehended on the scene and has been charged with a hate crime.”
https://www.facebook.com/william.colton.9/posts/10223867857593978
The Shore Parkway Jewish Center did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.
