By Tim Harfmann
A group of suspects kicked the Rivnitz synagogue door and threw objects at the windows, according to police. It happened during Rosh Hashanah prayers near Throop Avenue and Bartlett Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
They returned moments later, aiming again at the windows and shattering the glass.
Now, a black bag covers the window behind the broken glass. The NYPD is investigating the incident as a hate crime.
Currents News showed the surveillance video to David Eisen, who works nearby.
“It’s terrible, honestly. They should be held accountable for their actions,” he said.
The Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of New York’s Board of Rabbis, was disappointed by the incident, noting that this is something his community constantly endures.
“What kind of kids do this kind of stuff? We wouldn’t tolerate it against any house of worship about any person of any faith, and we certainly can’t tolerate it here,” he said.
But anti-semitic attacks are on the rise in New York City. According to the NYPD, reports are up 63 percent compared to this time last year.
Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted regarding the latest attack in Williamsburg, saying it was “a shocking act of hate” and the NYPD will protect religious institutions during High Holy Days.
Meanwhile, the Jewish community remains resilient.
“The best response, I think, to anti-semitism is semitism, is to remain proud,” said Rabbi Potasnik.
“We like to be in this neighborhood together with all the Jewish people and with all the other kinds of people, everybody living together. And everybody should have a safe life,” said one worshiper of the synagogue.
The NYPD encourages anyone with information to call their Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-tips.