“Soup Nazi” Anti-Semitic Attacker Identified as NJ Resident Mayra Teke; Faces Investigation

“Soup Nazi” Anti-Semitic Attacker Identified as NJ Resident Mayra Teke; Faces Investigation

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The individual behind the recent anti-Semitic rampage at the kosher Hummus Kitchen in New York City, infamously dubbed the “Soup Nazi,” has been identified as Mayra Teke from Paterson, New Jersey, as was reported on Saturday in the New York Post.  The disturbing incident unfolded earlier this week on the Upper East Side, where Teke allegedly attempted to desecrate an Israeli flag, threw soup at an employee, and verbally assaulted staff, calling them “murderers,” according to the Post report. The episode has fueled widespread condemnation and calls for action against rising anti-Semitism.

A real life soup Nazi! https://t.co/2lpS9vQxlY

— UR Not From Texas Fella (@NafoTx) December 14, 2023

Teke was identified by a neighbor and family member. Initially hamming it up for cameras during her tirade, Teke was notably less ostentatious when confronted by a New York Post reporter and photographer in Paterson, as was noted in the Post report. Dressed down in gray sweatpants, purple crocs, a face mask, and a hoodie with the slogan “That’s an awful lot of cough syrup,” Teke seemed uninterested in engaging with the press.

Teke attempted to avoid media attention, urging a neighbor to lie about her residence. When approached by a Post reporter, she quickly entered her gray Mercedes and drove away without acknowledging the questions. The reporter had identified her through tattoos on her right hand that matched those seen in the video recorded outside Hummus Kitchen, the Post report said.

The anti-Semitic incident occurred on a Wednesday night at 9:45 p.m., with a 45-second video capturing the chaos. The Post reported that in the footage, Teke is seen attempting to pull down an Israel flag and later throwing soup while using offensive language. A second video, posted by StopAntisemitism, has garnered over 7 million views on X, a video-sharing platform, according to the Post report.

The incident comes amid an alarming surge in reported anti-Semitic incidents in the United States, with the Anti-Defamation League noting an unprecedented increase since October 7. The report in the Post also said that the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is actively investigating the attack, emphasizing the gravity of the offense and its broader implications in a climate of heightened anti-Semitism.

Hummus Kitchen employees, including a woman named Brenda, expressed shock at the incident. The server targeted in the attack remained visibly upset, declining to comment on the traumatic experience, according to the Post report. The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of Jewish communities and the urgent need to address the frightening scourge of anti-Semitic attacks.

Mayra Teke’s identification as the perpetrator of the anti-Semitic attack at Hummus Kitchen highlights the need for increased awareness and action against bigotry.