New York, NY, December 29, 2019 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) expressed deep shock and sadness in response to a vicious attack against the Orthodox Jewish community in Monsey, New York, late Saturday night. According to media reports and law enforcement officials, an intruder entered a Rabbi’s residence during a Hanukkah celebration and stabbed five victims with a machete, leaving one of them in critical condition. The attacker then fled the scene and was arrested several hours later in New York City.

“The Jewish community is utterly terrified, said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL NY/NJ Regional Director. “No one should have to live like this. How many more times will it take for people in the Orthodox Jewish community to be terrorized with violence before something changes? On the heels of the deadly Jersey City attack and during a week in which we saw nine other anti-Semitic incidents against the Orthodox community, we strongly urge public officials and local community leaders to speak out loudly and demand meaningful change to better protect the Jewish community. We need this change now. We thank Governor Cuomo as well as all local and state law enforcement agencies and officials for their rapid response and investigation into this attack and call for continued focus on addressing ways to stop the increase in hatred and violence.”

ADL is a 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 to all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org