Yeshiva Kesser Torah, 72-11 Vleigh Pl. (Google Maps)
May 27, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Two anti-Semitic incidents have have been reported to police in the Kew Gardens Hills area in less than a week, according to a local elected official.
The incidents have taken place in a neighborhood that has a large Jewish community and come at a time when anti-Semitic attacks are increasing across the city, Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal said.
The first attack took place on Thursday, May 20 outside Yeshiva Kesser Torah, located at 72-11 Vleigh Pl.
Worshipers were leaving a prayer service at the synagogue when an individual came by and yelled anti-Semitic slurs at them and threatened them with a taser, Rosenthal said.
The second incident took place on Tuesday when a group of teenage girls had left a Jewish school they attend on Main Street for their lunch break. They were crossing the street when a driver sped directly toward them, causing them to hurry back onto the sidewalk. As the driver passed them, he yelled “Free Palestine,” Rosenthal said.
Rosenthal tweeted about the second incident on Tuesday and said that his office is in touch with the NYPD about it.
Second incident in Kew Gardens Hills this week. We are in touch with the NYPD. pic.twitter.com/GznU281tPJ
— Daniel Rosenthal (@DanRosenthalNYC) May 25, 2021
Many have attributed the spike in anti-Semitism across the city to the recent violence in Israel between the Israeli government and Hamas, the militant group in Gaza.
Rosenthal said opponents of Israel sometimes take their criticism of the country directly on Jewish communities. He said the tensions have been made worse by leaders on social media.
“When ever there is a rise in violence in Israel, opponents of Israel tend to take it out on the Jewish communities through out of the world,” Rosenthal said.
“I believe that it has been further inflamed by leaders who have irresponsibly used social media to provoke tensions in order to get more retweets despite that in their roles, they should be leaders and try to calm tensions.”
He said leaders must condemn the violence against Jewish communities.
“Those in positions that have a pulpit need to say that it’s unacceptable, condemn it and that we’re welcome here and do what they can to just lower the tensions overall.”
Rosenthal added that the rise of anti-Semitic attacks is similar to the uptick seen in hate crimes against the Asian American community — where language has direct consequences.
“Last year we had a president who was using inflammatory language towards the Asian community and because of that we saw an increase in hate crimes towards the Asian community,” he said.
“I think that it just shows that when people have a pulpit and they use it in dangerous and reckless ways, it leads to violence for those who don’t deserve it.”
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38 Comments
Keep up the good work Israel!
why are they not carrying protection against acts of terrorism? everyone should be on high alert.
Asking complete strangers if they’re Jewish.
From the river to the sea Palestine will be free!
From the river to the sea Palestine will be free is a phrase Palestinians use to advocate the destruction of Israel.
Stop supporting these so called progressive candidates. They are indirectly responsible for these attacks.
If they would stop asking complete strangers if they’re Jewish??
??
You are more prone to act out when you are under the influence of a substance whether it be alcohol marijuana or other mind-altering drugs. Remember we also have a serious mental health crisis in this city and people look for ways to take out there frustrations and anger on others. Sometimes they are being made to feel entitled to do it and using any excuse in the book to sound like a victim of something to justify their behavior. One recent incident on video had someone on video assaulting jews and when the cops showed up he said tase me so i can sue you. Almost wanting them to make a mistake so people and the media could focus on the police and not his assault.
Saying “Free Palestine” is not anti Semitic, as Palestinians are Semite.
No, but saying Palestine will be free from the river to the sea is. It is their expression to destroy Israel. As a former general in the Israeli army you should know.
If they are Jewish!!!
Take some responsibility for your own persecution!
What does that even mean?
Go around town, particularly to towns that have little to no Jewish community, and ask random strangers( sometimes multiple times) if they’re Jewish.
How is this hard to understand?
You can’t go to the Bronx and ask this to your average Bronxite stranger. You WILL get your ass kicked if not worse.
People have been killed there for less.
Will Jimmy Vam Bramer, who has abandoned the Jews of Sunnyside/Woodside comment? After all, he wants to be Queensborough President.
The dude’s abandoned everyone who wasn’t a bicyclist or a drag queen.
I didn’t see or hear Holder respond either.
Van Bramer is a fraud. He only denounced bigotry when it comes to people of color because it benefits his political career.
Meanwhile we are being told that nyc is showing signs that its getting back to normal. So ?.
Bring back the Muslim ban and you’ll see anti-Semitism plummet. It’s not a rise in anti-Semitism by all people but among Arab Muslims and that is the truth!
So by that logic, if we ban black people then anti-Asian hate crimes will plummet, not only is that idea stupid, it also leads to hate against other races.
Maybe the truth hurts.
Defunding the police, closing schools, letting people do almost whatever they want during protests and rallies, turning hotels into shelters, legalizing weed, not going after quality of life issues, turning neighborhoods into street festivals that the many can not afford to drink and eat at, and letting criminals run wild in this city has consequences…This week rent vouchers the city hands out to help the homeless find places to live has increased. They will cover one-bedroom apartments priced at $1,945 per month and two-bedroom apartments priced at $2,217. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Watching Fox News has consequences too.
We should really have a rally or bike march to end Anti-Semitic attacks in Sunnyside.
Some of these Anti-Semitic attacks are being committed by mentally ill people. Same goes for the Anti-Asian attacks. I just saw an upload of a Violent Anti-Semitic that took place in Brooklyn from beginning to end this week and you can tell the young assailant is mentally ill. Its sad.
This is non-sense. Tell the truth. The majority have been committed by Arab Muslims.
I’m an Arab and I hate Jews. So what?
Nice Shaheen. Spread the love. This is Arab anti-Semitism.
Congrats. Go fly a plane.
Wouldn’t you feel happier posting on Stormfront with like minded individuals, Shaheen or whatever your name is?
Debbie: You are naive. The anti-Semitism is not just a mental illness issue. Arab people are anti-Semitic and that’s it. They justify attacking innocent Jews because of Israeli policy but complained when they were attacked after 9/11. Incidentally, they were cheering in the US and Middle East when 9/11 happened.
Any comment from ocasio Cortez the failed bartender ? Naaa
I don’t have strong feelings towards AOC but what is so unusual about being a bartender in your 20s? What job did you have? I thought we wanted regular people to run for office. Should we limit it just to the elite?
I have no problem with her being a former bartender. It’s an honest living and I don’t belittle anyone doing an honest job of any description.
However, I DO have a problem with her being an outright communist.
I can’t stand her but she has denounced anti-Semitism unlike any of the politicians in our area. None of denounced anti-Semitism. All cowards.
Unfortunately, Ocasio Cortez has CAUSED anti-Semitism with her outrageous statements on Israel and lack of knowledge on the Middle East so her denouncing of it sounds like crocodile tears to me.
Trump lovers mock her for this. Truly disgusting.
I can’t stand AOC but she is the only progressive of color to denounce anti-Semitism. They just won’t do it. Jews need to stop being cowardly and stupid and realize that these progressives are against them.