New York, NY, October 19, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern over two recent incidents, including the violent assault of an Orthodox Jewish man in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and the vandalism of one of Manhattan’s oldest synagogues in the Lower East Side.

According to reports, on October 16, a perpetrator assaulted the victim in the back of the head in front of a Williamsburg Jewish school, causing significant injury. The victim was reportedly transferred to Long Island College Hospital. In another apparently unrelated incident, the Stanton Street Shul was broken into by two suspects who vandalized the historic synagogue, which was discovered two days before the Williamsburg attack.

“Although these two incidents have no apparent connection, nor are we aware of a new trend of singling out Jews for violence across New York City, the possibility that Jewish individuals and institutions were singled out is troubling and unfortunately not a new phenomenon,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “Last year, Brooklyn and Manhattan were certainly not immune to anti-Semitic acts, as we saw more than 140 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism take place across the five boroughs, and a similar number the year before.”

“The vast majority of Jewish New Yorkers feel comfortable and safe in their respective communities, however it is nevertheless disconcerting when such alarming events take place on our streets,” Mr. Bernstein added.

According to ADL’s annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, which tracks both criminal and non-criminal acts of anti-Semitism, New York State experienced a 14 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in 2014, including 55 incidents Brooklyn and 54 in Manhattan.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY