How Many Attacks Will It Take for New Yorkers to Stand Against Jew-Hatred?

In recent days, New York’s Jewish community has been targeted in a series of violent attacks. Just this week, a middle-aged Hasidic Jewish man was brutally beaten by two assailants in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. According to Yaacov Behrman of Chabad Headquarters, the man endured an “excruciating” assault, highlighting an unsettling rise in antisemitic violence that has plagued the city. This incident follows a string of recent attacks, including one against a 13-year-old Jewish boy on his way to school, covered in our previous post here, and another involving a visibly Jewish man who was slashed in the face while walking in Brooklyn.

New York’s rising hostility toward Jewish residents is more than anecdotal; recent reports from the New York State Comptroller revealed that 65% of all felony hate crimes in New York City last year targeted Jewish individuals. According to NYPD data, antisemitic hate crimes in the city have surged since October 2023, the aftermath of the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel. Across the U.S., Jewish communities face similar challenges, with antisemitic hate crimes reaching record highs last year, per a Federal Bureau of Investigation report.

Despite this, we continue to see individuals publicly stand with Israel. YouTuber Casey Neistat recently paused an interview to wave an Israeli flag from his New York office window as anti-Israel protesters marched by below. “You gotta show the love,” he said, standing firm in his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people despite the challenges. His courage in a polarized climate calls us, as Christian Women for Israel, to embody a similar resolve and actively support Israel and the Jewish community.

As these incidents unfold, we are called to prayerful action—to uphold our support for the Jewish people through our prayers, words, and actions. Standing against Jew-hatred is more than a stance; it’s a testament to our commitment to God’s covenant people and a reflection of the courage we’re called to embody in this season. As modern-day Esthers, let us step forward with conviction and advocate for justice against these hate crimes.

Join us in prayer and action for the safety of New York’s Jewish community and those impacted by rising antisemitism. Your voice and support are essential in standing firm against hate and affirming our solidarity with Israel.