Gov. Hochul Speaks Out Against Perpetrators who Toppled Queens Menorah

By Yehudit Garmaise

The NYPD and New York State Hate Crimes Task Forces have launched investigations to find the anti-Semitic vandals who, on Shabbos, toppled a large menorah that was set up in Hollis Hills in Queens: a repeat of a similar scenario that took place in the same location in 2014.

Rabbi Yerachmiel Zalmanov, the director of Chabad of Eastern Queens, who put up the menorah to create public, joyful lightings, made the call to the NYPD to report that the menorah had been knocked into the road and most of its lights had been smashed.

“Jewish New Yorkers should be able to celebrate Chanukah without being subjected to acts of anti-Semitic hate,” Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted this morning. “I have directed the @nyspolice Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation of this disturbing act against our Jewish neighbors.”

“Chanukah is a time of peace and joy,” said Queens state Assemblyman David I. Weprin (D). “No acts of vandalism or anti-Semitism will ever be tolerated.

“Each incident is dehumanizing and a repugnant stain on our community.

“We are watching. The hard-working members of law enforcement are watching.

And this community — where we always have each other’s backs — is watching.”

Photo: Flickr