“Jewish Federation’s Community Security Team is working closely with law enforcement to investigate and is providing support to those directly affected. We are a resilient community, but we cannot fight antisemitism alone. We urge civic and community leaders to join us in speaking out clearly and forcefully against antisemitism in all its forms,” Cohn added.
He emphasized that: “This is not going to deter us. Our resilience is not going to be pushed down. It is only going to grow stronger. We are not going to go anywhere. We are American jews. We’re here for the long haul. We are still a part of this country and we will speak up and use our voice. We are not going to live quietly because other people think we shouldn’t be here.”
Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew condemned the incident as “an offensive and violent act of arson,” adding: “We will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or violence based on someone’s nationality, race, religion, or ideology. In Clayton, we are committed to fostering a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and welcome. This is not just an aspiration—it is our responsibility as neighbors and as citizens. As such, I call upon all Clayton residents to join me in embracing the principles of respect, understanding, and inclusion that define who we are as a community.”
On Monday, the FBI released nationwide hate crime statistics for 2024, reporting 11,679 criminal incidents and 13,683 related offenses. About a quarter were motivated by religious bias — the majority of them targeting Jews.