Shoreline Rabbi Reacts To Hate Crime Incident Involving Menorah In Guilford

GUILFORD, CT — Two men were recently arrested after police say they stomped on and broke a Hanukkah menorah that was on display during the holiday season in Guilford.

Steven Prinz Jr., 25, and Troy Prinz, both of Guilford, were each charged with second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, first-degree mischief, and conspiracy, police said over the weekend.

Police said they investigated the incident as a hate crime.

"This investigation involved significant cooperation between the police and members of our community in order to locate and preserve the essential evidence needed to properly identify these suspects. Our collective efforts, as the police and the community, ultimately resulted in their identification and arrest," police said.

Guilford police thanked local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as community organizations who helped during the investigation.

"This arrest was made possible due to the strong support and partnership we have come to expect and enjoy between the police department and our community members," police said. "Although the case is being turned over to the court system, our work as a police department and community must continue. We plan to reflect on this incident and continuously work to forge an ever-strengthening partnership with the community. Together, we can be sure that acts of hate or bias have no place in Guilford."

The Prinzes were released on $25,000 court set bonds, according to police.

Rabbi Yossi Yaffe, the director of Chabad-Lubavitch of the Shoreline, issued a statement over the weekend following news of the arrests.

"This aberration does not represent the Guilford community," Yaffe wrote, noting there hadn't been an incident with Chabad's menorah on the Town Green for 25 years. "We cherish the United States constitutional protections of our freedom of religion and expression, which allow us to practice our religion publicly and confidently. And we are thankful for the systems of law and law enforcement which ensure our ability to do so, without fear or intimidation."

Yaffe spoke about plans for Hanukkah in 2025.

"When people try to extinguish the light, our response is clear—we will increase our efforts to spread it," he said.

Yaffe said Chabad-Lubovitch of the Shoreline plans on installing menorahs in Shoreline towns that do not yet have one; broadening the size and scope of Hanukkah celebrations; providing electric menorahs to any Shoreline businesses that want one; and increasing distribution of menorahs and candles to Jewish community members.