Rabbi Finds Positives After 'Hurtful' Comments About His Menorah

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — The rabbi, whose home touched off a controversy at a village meeting last week, is beginning a dialogue to heal the community.

Michelle Zangari wanted changes to by-laws after a large menorah was spotted on a neighbor's front lawn, which she believed likely meant an influx of home-based synagogues.

Chabad Rabbi Mendel Gurkov has lived in the Marlborough Court home since October.

After seeing the video with Zangari's comments from April 4, Gurkov contacted her about the hurtful nature of her words.

On Monday, she sent the rabbi a letter "apologizing deeply for it," and according to Gurkov, she understood how "her comments were very prejudicial."

Zangari's comments were condemned by politicians including Gov. Kathy Hochul.

As part of Zangari's remarks last week, in reflecting on her time living in the Five Towns, she told Mayor Francis Murray: "It began exactly this way. Rabbis and their families purchased homes, creating small synagogues. Congregants then looked to buy property nearby."

For Gurkov, the biggest issue was a lack of dialogue to address any concerns.

"If you wanted to know why a menorah is on my front lawn, ask. Just simply knock on my door, and you would have found out," he told Patch.

Gurkov said that would have cut down on the negativity in the community.

Murray was criticized for his initial response to Zangari, telling her that he took the concern seriously and would look into it immediately. Murray did issue a more stern statement on Monday.

Gurkov had a "productive meeting" with Mayor Murray on Tuesday.

"We were able to help the mayor understand how prejudicial and hurtful what occurred at the meeting [was]," he said.

Despite the positive nature of the sit-down, the rabbi is waiting for Murray "to take public responsibility and apologize."

He feels the lines of communication were started and the rabbi is "very hopeful" it will lead to important steps toward tolerance.

"We'll have to wait and see," Gurkov said.

But, he's most proud to see the overwhelming support from Rockville Centre residents.

"That's why the menorah is there. It's a little bit of light" in the darkness, the rabbi said. "If they'd like to come in and have a conversation, whether they're Jewish or not. I'm here for them, as a neighbor, as a person of the community, as a rabbi and as a fellow human being."