New Fund Takes Aim at Anti-Semitic Acts

A new fund aims to combat an increase in anti-semitic incidents, officials said Wednesday in Mineola.

The fund rewards anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of these crimes, authorities said.

The announcement coincides as the Jewish High Holidays approach.

Local leaders said the establishment of the fund was made possible by a donation from Roslyn resident Brad Gerstman, who spearheaded the effort.

“I would love to solve the world problem of anti-Semitism, but that isn’t realistic, so I want to help make sure Long Island stays safe from anti-Semitic hate crimes,” Gerstman said.

The fund was announced by Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano, Acting Commissioner Thomas C. Krumpter and Arthur Katz, chairman of Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island, or JCRC-LI.

“Nassau County will not tolerate bias crimes and is meeting with Jewish community leaders to discuss enhanced security measures during the upcoming High Holidays,” Mangano said.

The fund, Mangano said, “is a great addition to our CrimeStoppers program and acts to deter crimes of this nature from taking place.”

Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice gave the fund high marks, noting that it will “help law enforcement prevent and solve hate crimes against the Jewish community and I’m proud to support it.”

Gerstman is donating $1,000 per incident, officials said. Arthur Katz, JCRC-LI Chairman credited Gerstman with the fund’s concept.

The fund complements JCRC-LI’s mission, which aims to inform and mobilize the Long Island community to take action locally, nationally, and internationally to address community relations issues important to both Jewish and non-Jewish communities, according to the organization. Part of the effort is facilitating an ongoing dialog between the Jewish community and governmental officials at the local, state and federal level.

JCRC-LI created an escrow account to fund the rewards and is accepting donations of any size.

Related:

Mangano: Police Launch Aggressive Investigation into Bias Crime in Roosevelt

Pictured (left to right) are: Detective Lt. Gary Shapiro Commanding Officer of Community Affairs; David Newman, Executive Director of the Long Island Jewish Community Relations Council; Arthur Katz, Chairman of the Long Island Jewish Community Relations Council; County Executive Ed Mangano; Brad Gertsman of Roslyn; Acting Police Commissioner Tom Krumpter; and Chief of Department Steve Skrynecki.