Hudson Valley Attack Horrifies Local, State, National Leaders

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The attack on people celebrating Hanukkah Saturday night at a rabbi's house in Rockland County has horrified officials locally and across the region.

"I am sickened by the attack on our Jewish neighbors in Monsey and condemn it in the strongest possible way. I am praying for a speedy recovery for the innocent victims and for their families during this most difficult of times," said Toney Earl, chairman of the Rockland County Legislature. "Our neighbors gathered to celebrate the joys that the light of Hanukkah brings and now they, and good people everywhere, are left shocked and hurting as we grapple to identify a reason for this hateful act."

The Rockland attack took place in Monsey, at the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg. About 100 people were in the basement celebrating the seventh night of Hanukkah when a man entered, stabbed four people, then fled. A fifth person was injured in the melee. The alleged attacker, Grafton Thomas, was tracked down in New York City by police within a couple of hours. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Sunday and was sent to Rockland County Jail. The judge set bail at $5 million.

Reactions were swift, including from neighboring Orange County, the home of the man accused of the crime.

"I remind all Orange County residents that the District Attorney’s Office has established a Hate Crimes Hotline, (800) 378-1411, that residents can use to report hate crime incidents," said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler.

"Violence of any kind will not be tolerated here in Rockland," said County Executive Ed Day, a former police commander who said local law enforcement would leave no stone unturned in bringing the guilty to swift and severe justice. "I stand with the people of this County in condemning this attack and ask all to offer their thoughts, hopes and prayers for a speedy recovery for the victims of this heinous crime."

Across the Hudson River in Westchester County, the menorah lighting at 5 p.m. Sunday in Tibbit’s Park, White Plains has been transformed into an event honoring the victims of the anti-Semitic attack in Rockland County. At the event the county Board of Legislators is expected to announced a proposal for toughening the county’s Human Rights Law.

Meanwhile, Westchester County Executive George Latimer ordered county police to conduct additional inspections of synagogues and other Jewish facilities."If any are occupied, we are having our officers stop in to reassure that we are here to protect them," he said. "This is in addition to the continuing Operation Safeguard Taskings which have been ongoing for more than a week in our County in conjunction with New York State Police."

The county DA, Anthony Scarpino, Jr., said his office is also in contact with New York State Police and other law enforcement authorities.

From Putnam County, U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) said, "Randy and I join the Hudson Valley as we pray for those hurt in last night’s horrific stabbing attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey. I will continue to monitor this situation, and work with state and local law enforcement and leaders to address the rise of hate crimes against the Jewish community in New York. We cannot tolerate anti-Semitism in any form. Hate has no home in the Hudson Valley."

After a briefing from the FBI, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said:

The FBI continues to work with state and local law enforcement, including the NYPD. The FBI, state, and local law enforcement continue to assess whether there were any additional motives in the Monsey attack, as well. I will remain in constant contact with the FBI, along with community leaders, and believe it’s of paramount importance to shine a critical light on how—or where--individuals are being motivated or specifically inspired to commit these heinous acts of violence that terrorize communities and incite hate.

“We must not, and cannot, tolerate these senseless attacks, and we must get to the bottom of why they are occurring in order to prevent them in the first place. No American—and no New Yorker—should be subjected to the kind of terror and pain the people of Monsey and the New York Jewish community now bears.

Also, the attack brought a bi-partisan response from others in Congress.

Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Kay Granger (R-TX), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said:

The House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism strongly condemns last night’s anti-Semitic attack in a rabbi’s home in Monsey, NY. This comes on the heels of numerous attacks against Jews in Brooklyn and Manhattan and the shooting at a kosher deli in Jersey City earlier this month. We are keeping the victims of last night’s attack and their families in our prayers. As the Jewish community concludes the holiday of Hanukkah this week, it is more important than ever that all Jews are able to safely celebrate their faith.

The trend of increasing Anti-Semitic violence and incidents in recent years cannot continue. In the coming weeks, the Task Force will reach out to law enforcement officials, community organizations, and experts in combating hate crimes to seek answers for the best ways to fight this scourge. The Task Force stands united with the Jewish community and is committed to ending these hateful crimes once and for all.

The New York Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations expressed solidarity with the Jewish community nationwide.

“The recent wave of attacks targeting our Jewish neighbors is horrific and unacceptable," said CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed. "All New Yorkers must stand together against the growing anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and bigotry we are witnessing in our state and around the country. It is only together that we can push back against hate and instead promote justice and mutual understanding."

Mohamed encouraged Muslim New Yorkers to reach out to their Jewish neighbors to show solidarity.

"Whether or not it is determined that this particular crime was motivated by hate, there is no denying that anti-Semitic crimes are on the rise," said Hoovler in Orange County.

Anti-Semitism has become enough of a problem in Orange County that the DA's office has devoted resources including sponsoring training for police officers, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, on recognizing and investigating Hate Crimes, hiring an investigator specially trained in, and dedicated to, investigating Hate Crimes, and assigning a senior prosecutor to coordinate efforts to investigate and prosecute Hate Crimes.

In addition, Hoovler said, "We have sponsored public service announcements in conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County and have provided educational programs and materials in our high schools in an effort to prevent Hate Crimes before they happen. The District Attorney’s Office, with funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County, developed an informational brochure, Speak Up to Stand Up Against Hate, as well as a related poster, both of which are available for public distribution."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo issued a joint statement with more than 130 faith leaders from across the state condemning anti-Semitism in the wake of the attack.

Anti-Semitism, bigotry and hate of any kind are repugnant to our values and will not be tolerated in our state. We condemn this attack and all attacks against members of the Jewish community in New York — an attack against one of us is an attack against all of us. Together we will continue fighting hate and intolerance with love and inclusion.

The list of faith leaders and groups who are supporting the Governor's statement includes:

• Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York

• Rev. Al Sharpton

• Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

• Rev. Dr. Floyd & Elaine Flake, Greater Allen AME
• Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Diocese of Broolyn
• Rev. Dr. A.R. Bernard, Christian Cultural Center
• Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, New York Board of Rabbis
• Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, Abyssinian Baptist Church

• Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Grace Baptist Church in Mt Vernon, NY
• Mayor Izzy Spitzer, Village of New Square

• Rabbi Michael Miller, Jewish Community Relations Council
• Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, Congregation KJ
• Steve Gold, Co-President, Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County
• David Kirschtel, CEO, Jewish Community Center Rockland County
• Allen Fagin, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union

• The Right Reverend Andrew ML Dietsche, Episcopal Bishop of New York

• Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudath Israel of America
• Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, CBST
• Rabbi Rachel Kohn Troster, Truah
• Rabbi Hersh Horowitz, Monsey Community Outreach Center

• Michael Schmidt, American Jewish Committee AJC NY

• Eric Goldstein, CEO, UJA
• Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Park East Synagogue
• Rabbi Elchanan Poupko, EITAN-The American-Israel Network
• MPAC-NY, Mobilizing Preachers & Communities
• Rev. James Duckett, Fort Mott Baptist Church
• Rev. Dr. Johnnie Green, Mt. Neboh Baptist Church
• Bishop Orlando Findlayter, New Hope Christian Fellowship
• Rev. Al Cockfield, God's Battalion of Prayer Church
• Rev. Gil Monrose, Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day & President of 67th Precinct Clergy Council
• Rev. Steve Lopez, Associate Pastor, Calvary Center Church
• Rev. Fred Davie, Executive Vice President of Union Theological Seminary
• Rev. Dr. Renee Washington Gardner, Memorial Baptist Church
• Pastor Wayne Francis, Lead Pastor, Authentic Church
• Rev. Greg Merriweather, Calvary Baptist Church in Haverstraw
• Omar Siddiqi, Leader of Community/Religious Affairs, Osmanli Dergah
• Rev. Roderick Pearson, St. Mark Remnant Ministries, Inc.
• Rabbi Howard Beuchler, Dix Hills Jewish Center
• Dr. Isma Chaudry, Islamic Center of Long Island
• Imam Abdul-Rahman Yaki, Islamic Center of the Capital District
• Bishop Max Jones, Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ Syracuse
• Pastor Ernest Flagler-Mitchell, Rochester
• Pastor Kinzer M. Pointer, Agape Fellowship Baptist Church and Convener of the Concerned Clergy Coalition of Western New York
• Rev. Dr. Phil Craig, Greater Springfield Community Church
• Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, Kehilat Sephardim of Ahavit Achim
• Mendy Mirocznik, Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island

• Imam Tahir Kukiqi, NYPD Chaplains Unit and Vice President of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center

• Phyllis Walker, Homeless Outreach Specialist, Brooklyn Tabernacle Church
• Rabbi Dr. Keith Elijah Thompson, Bronx Miracle Gospel Tabernacle
• Rabbi Aaron Slonim, Chabad at Binghamton
• Bishop Darius Pridgen, True Bethel Baptist Church
• Rabbi Chaim Schwartz, Executive Vice President, Vaad Harabonim of Queens
• Rabbi Deborah K. Bravo, MakomNY Founder and Treasurer of the NY Board of Rabbis
• Rev. Patrick Young, First Baptist Church of Corona
• Rabbi Joshua Stanton, East End Temple

• Hussein Rababah, PACE Director, NY Muslim American Society (MAS)
• Rev. Jim Bostic, New Union Church of New Rochelle, Youth Pastor
• Rev. Patrick O'Connor, First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica
• Bishop T. Anthony Bronner, Elim Christian Fellowship
• Bishop Angel Gauthier, Prince of Peace Christian Church
• Rev. Mike Servello, Compassion Coalition Utica
• Dr. Vasundhara Kalasapudi, Executive Director, India Home
• Rabbi Scott Weiner, Senior Rabbi Temple Israel of New Rochelle
• Rabbi Beth Nichols, Temple Israel of New Rochelle
• Eliot Forcheimer, CEO, Westchester Jewish Council
• Lisa Roberts, President, Westchester Jewish Council
• Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz, Chabad of Yonkers
• Rev. James Galasinski, Unitarian Universalist Church, Canton NY
• Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone, Beth Sholom-Chevra Shas
• Rabbi Daniel Fellman, Temple Concord Syracuse
• Rabbi Daniel Jezer, emeritus at Congregation Beth Solom-Chevra Shas
• Rabbi Peter Schaktman, Temple Emanu-El in Utica
• Rabbi Eli Goodman, Chabad of the Beaches
• Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Chabad of Mineola
• Rev. Demetrius Carolina, Central Family Life Center
• Rev. Sedgwick Easley, Union Baptist Church of Hempstead
• Rev. Dr. Adolphus Lacey, Bethany Baptist Church
• Rev. Shaun Lee, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church
• Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
• Rev. Bruce Grodner, National Exec Director, American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC)
• Dr. Lionel Rouse, Co-Chairman, American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC)
• Babu Kudaravalli, President Telugu Literary and Cultural Association
• Rev. Kate Jones Calone, Interim Pastor, Setauket Presbyterian Church
• Pastor David Traynham, New Horizons Christian Church
• Imam Mohammed ElFiki, The Islamic Society of Central New York
• Rev. Tony Baker, St. Philip's Baptist Church
• Rev. John Williams, New Creation Ministry, Inc.
• Pastor Carl Wauchope, City of Refuge NY
• Pastor Sal Sabino, Heavenly Visions
• Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, President, Jamaica Muslim Center
• Rev. Charles Galbreath, Clarendon Road Church
• Rabbi Bob Kaplan, Jewish Community Relations Council
• Bishop Mitchell Taylor, Founder & CEO, Urban Upbound
• Audrey Sasson, Executive Director of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ)
• Rev. Dr. Les Mullings, Far Rockaway Community Church of the Nazarene
• Rabbi Shea Hecht, National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education
• Rabbi Yaacov Behrman, Jewish Future Alliance.
• Rev. Emily McNeill, Executive Director, Labor-Religion Coalition
• Michael Cohen, Eastern Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center
• Rabbi Eytan Hammerman, Jewish Community Center of Harrison
• Pastor John Carter, Abundant Life Christian Center
• Rabbi Eli Cohen, Executive Director, Crown Heights Jewish Community Center
• Rabbi Chanina Sperlin, Crown Heights Jewish Community Center
• Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper, Senior Minister, Judson Memorial Church
• Rev. Canon Patrick Malloy, Ph.D., Sub-Dean, The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
• The Right Reverend Clifton Daniel III, Dean, The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
• Rev. Canon Patti Welch, The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
• Rev. Canon Steven Lee, Canon Pastor and Vicar, The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
• Rabbi Ben Keil, Young Israel of Pelham Parkway
• The Right Reverend Allen K Shin, Bishop Suffragan of New York
• The Right Reverend Mary D Glasspool, Bishop Assistant of New York
• Rabbi Neal Loevinger, Temple Beth-El, Poughkeepsie
• Imam Ajmal Agha of the Islamic Cultural Center of Rochester
• Avi Greenstein, CEO, Boro Park Jewish Community Council
• Rabbi Andy Bachman, Executive Director, JCP Downtown
• Pastor Jay A Gooding Sr., Miracle Revival Temple, Fellowship Tabernacle Ministries, Church of God In Christ, President Clergy Council 49th Precinct
• Rev. Victor Brown, Mount Sinai United Christian Church
• Bishop C. Nathan Edwers, Senior Pastor, Friendship Worship Center
• Rabbi Avi Kilimnick from Congregation Beth Shalom in Rochester
• Avi Posnick, StandWithUs

• Elder Robert Martinez Rice, Bethel Gospel Assembly

• Rabbi Menachem Creditor, UJA
• Bishop Minnie Crawford, The House of God Diocese
• The Rev. Delvin Moody, the House of God Church, Inc.

• Pastor Daren Jaime, The People's A.M.E. ZION Church
• Ali Javed, Chairman, Upper Westchester Muslim Society
• Daniel Korobkin, President, Rabbinical Council of America
• Rabbi Mark Wildes, Manhattan Jewish Experience
• Bishop Dr. Luonne Abram Rouse, Family Church
• Bishop Kenrick McBean, Redeem Christian Fellowship
• Bro. Anthony Zuba, OFM Cap., Pastoral Associate, Church of the Good Shepherd

• Rabbi Allen Schwartz, Congregation Ohab Zedek
• Rabbi Daniel Sherman, West Side Institutional Synagogue