Gov. Cuomo calls anti-Semitic message at Jewish Children’s Museum ‘heinous’

A string of anti-Semitic attacks in Brooklyn have led the governor to get involved.

News 12 Staff

May 31, 2019, 9:59 AM

Updated 1,799 days ago

Share:

A string of anti-Semitic attacks in Brooklyn have led the governor to get involved.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called the recent attacks "heinous" and has asked the NYS Police Hate Crimes Task Force to get involved and work with the NYPD to get to the bottom of what happened.
Just before 5 p.m. Thursday, a post was discovered on a wall at the Jewish Children's Museum where people are encouraged to write and post positive messages. Instead, someone wrote "Hitler is coming."
The museum was built in honor of Ari Halberstam, a young boy who was killed in an anti-Semitic terror attack on the Brooklyn Bridge. Organizers say the museum is meant to bring children of all faiths together, which is why the community says this has been so incredibly hurtful.
"For me personally it's like a stab in my heart and murdering my son again and it's also a bone in my throat because I can't imagine how anybody would want to target children, a place for children," says Devorah Halberstam, Ari's mother.
Another anti-Semitic attack happened just days before in front of 563 Flushing Ave.
Police say a 27-year-old orthodox Jewish man was walking down the street when a man on a bike came up and slapped him in the back of the head.
"We have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, discrimination or hate of any kind in New York, and no person should ever feel threatened because of their religious beliefs," says Gov. Cuomo.
There was another alleged attack under investigation that happened near the Bushwick Pool around 1 p.m. Wednesday. News 12 is told a woman sitting on a bench told police two men came up to her and yelled "hail Hitler," used a jacket to cover her head and then followed her as she tried to get away.
Anyone with information on the incidents above is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.


More from News 12
2:00
NYPD: 1 person dead, another injured in overnight double shooting in Brownsville

NYPD: 1 person dead, another injured in overnight double shooting in Brownsville

1:28
STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy conditions for NYC; tracking rain during the weekend

STORM WATCH: Cool and cloudy conditions for NYC; tracking rain during the weekend

1:52
Brooklyn-based program helps teens stay away from trouble by teaching life skills

Brooklyn-based program helps teens stay away from trouble by teaching life skills

0:33
Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

Experts fear 'catastrophic' college declines thanks to botched FAFSA rollout

2:11
Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

Garden Guide: Is it safe to plant your summer garden?

1:44
The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

The Real Deal: Now may be the time for a job change

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

1:55
Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

Large fire at 2-story Bensonhurst building leaves home destroyed

1:59
Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

Community members affected by Bushwick fire regroup, attempt to move forward

1:41
New survey highlights challenges for migrants

New survey highlights challenges for migrants

1:55
PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

PS 331 in Borough Park to be renamed in honor of slain Detective WenJian Liu

0:43
2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

2 City Council committees hold joint hearing on sexual harassment policies

4:14
'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

'We lost something good'. FDNY says large fire destroys Bushwick supermarket, leaves 55 people homeless

0:39
Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

Diocese of Brooklyn: 3 Catholic academies to close at the end of the school year

2:03
New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

0:32
NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

0:23
Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:27
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism