Assemblyman David I. Weprin convened a gathering of religious and community leaders at noon Tuesday to denounce the suspected vandalism of a menorah in Hollis Hills. In attendance with Assemblyman Weprin were Senator John Liu, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, City Council Member Barry Grodenchik, Rabbi Yerachmiel Zalmanov, Rabbi David Wise, Rabbi Gary Greene, and Rabbi Mayer Waxman.
In the early evening of Motza’ei Shabbos, November 27, the large menorah located on the traffic island at the intersection of Union Turnpike and 220th Street, was knocked into the road and most of its lights broken. Rabbi Zalmanov, who erected the menorah, reported the incident to the NYPD. A similar incident occurred in December 2014 at the same location.
“Chanukah is a time of peace and joy. No acts of vandalism or anti-Semitism will ever be tolerated,” said Assemblyman David Weprin. “Each incident is dehumanizing and a repugnant stain on our community. We are watching. The hard-working members of law enforcement are watching. And this community – where we always have each other’s backs – is watching.”
“Barely a week has passed since our community came together to condemn an act of anti-Semitism at Bagels & Co., and today, we are compelled to once again gather in defiance of yet another act of intolerance,” State Senator John Liu stated. “That this vandalism occurred as New Yorkers celebrated the first night of Chanukah stings all the more, but our community will never waiver in our determination to fight back against hatred and division in any form.”