WELCOMES SUPPORT FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL- ELECT JAMES AND COUNCILMAN DEUTSCH
New York, NY, December 1, 2018 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced today that it is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for two separate alleged assaults of Orthodox Jewish men in Brooklyn on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
According to police and other reports, the incidents took place in Williamsburg and Crown Heights, respectively. During the first incident, the victim was allegedly punched in the head from behind while standing on a corner and speaking to another man. The second incident allegedly involved two men who punched the victim in the face repeatedly.
“We remain increasingly concerned by the number of alleged unprovoked assaults on Orthodox Jewish individuals in Brooklyn in recent weeks,” said Evan R. Bernstein, Regional Director of ADL for New York and New Jersey. “According to our records, this marks the fourth anti-Semitic assault in less the one week, and we are deeply troubled by this; our Orthodox communities are particularly vulnerable, and Jewish communities are feeling increasingly afraid”
“We know that hate is affecting many communities, and we must stand strong and send a unified message to combat it at all levels,” continued Bernstein. “We are so grateful for the solidarity and support from leaders like Attorney General-Elect Letitia “Tish” James and New York City Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who offered the following messages:
“Anti-Semitism, or hate of any kind, has zero place in our communities. I am deeply disturbed by these recent acts of hate against New Yorkers, acts that must be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators held to the fullest extent of the law. Today and every day, I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community and urge anyone with information about these heinous crimes to come forward,” said Attorney General-Elect Letitia James.
“There has been a shocking number of unprovoked assaults on religious Jewish New Yorkers in recent weeks, including two this weekend – one in Crown Heights and one in Williamsburg. Like many, I am alarmed by what appears to be a trend, and I’m grateful that the ADL is taking action, including by offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible,” added Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who is the Chairman of NYC Council Jewish Caucus.
“I will be holding meetings in the communities where these attacks have happened with local NYPD and community leaders,” continued Deutsch. “As the holiday of Chanukah begins, it is critical that there is an increased police presence in these neighborhoods and deep dialogue conducted.”
Finally, Bernstein expressed his gratitude for the work law enforcement has done: “We are eternally grateful for the professionalism that the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force continues to show as they strive to investigate the hundreds of bias incidents our city is faced with every year.”
Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1(800) 577-TIPS.
ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.
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