Leaders condemn antisemitic vandalism at several Brooklyn sites

Gov. Kathy Hochul pledges $90 million to protect Jewish and other faith-based organizations and sites. Councilmember Zhuang and State Sen. Sutton stand with her.
Photo courtesy of Councilmember Zhuang’s office

GRAVESEND — ANTISEMITIC GRAFFITI AND VANDALISM ON SEVERAL JEWISH LOCATIONS IN SOUTHERN BROOKLYN on Wednesday, Nov. 5, prompted a gathering of several elected and civic officials. Gov. Kathy Hochul pledged $90 million to protect faith-based organizations and schools.

State Sen. Sam Sutton, D-22, convened the press conference. Other leaders included State Sen. Stephen Chan, Assemblymember William Colton, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, City Councilmember Susan Zhuang, Jewish Community Relations Council CEO Mark Treyger, Teach Coalition CEO Sydney Altfield and Imam Ahmed Ali Uzer of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity.

Hochul said, “The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident and New York State Police stand ready to assist.”

Sutton thanked Hochul and Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris for pledging to add an additional $20 million dollars (up from $70 million per two-year cycle) to the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment Grant program to prevent such further incidents.

The antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas and other vandalism, was found overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday at Magen David Yeshivah, a Hatzalah dispatch center, and around Washington Cemetery, Brooklyn’s largest Jewish cemetery.

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