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By: Hal C Clarke
Effy’s Café, a cherished American Israeli breakfast spot located on the Upper West Side at 104 W. 96th St. and Columbus Avenue, fell victim to a disturbing act of vandalism over the weekend. The café’s exterior was defaced with spray-painted messages in blood-red and black, including “Free Gaza” and “Form line here to support genocide”, the NY Post reported.
The NYPD has launched an investigation into the incident, treating it as a possible hate crime, highlighting growing concerns about anti-Semitic sentiments in the area.
Effy’s manager, Ben Zara, expressed shock and disbelief at the vandalism, describing it as his first encounter with such a brazen attack on their business. Zara, who has worked at the establishment for eight years and hails from the Philippines, emphasized the impact of the incident, stating, “It’s terrifying. It’s my first time seeing this. I have no words.” He expressed uncertainty about the future, saying, “I just don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”
The offensive graffiti, with messages like “Free Gaza” splashed across the front of the kosher bistro and repeated on the sidewalk in red and green paint, along with “Form a line here to support genocide” written in black on the concrete outside, has sparked outrage and condemnation from the local community.
Efforts to remove the graffiti have been underway, with approximately seven people assisting in scrubbing most of it off. The surrounding community has rallied around the café, demonstrating solidarity and support in the face of hate. Jewish Community Relations Council of New York CEO Mark Treyger highlighted the resilience of Effy’s Café, noting that despite the graffiti, the love for the establishment remains strong.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Upper West Side state Assembly candidate Micah Lasher visited Effy’s Café on Monday to express solidarity and denounce the incident as anti-Semitic hate. They joined locals in scrubbing away the offensive graffiti. Lasher emphasized the need to expand hate crime laws and ensure that New York remains a place where such acts are not tolerated.
Gale Brewer, the Upper West Side Councilwoman, also addressed the incident on social media, urging followers to report hate crimes to the NYPD and her office. She highlighted another disturbing case of vandalism found nearby at West 105th Street and Riverside Drive, further underscoring concerns about the prevalence of anti-Semitic sentiments in the area.
Hindy Poupko of the UJA Federation of New York expressed alarm over the increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the area, citing statistics that reveal a rise in cases of vandalism and assaults. She emphasized the urgency of addressing this trend and called for collective action to combat hate and intolerance.
As the investigation into the vandalism at Effy’s Café continues, the community remains vigilant and united in condemning anti-Semitic acts. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of hate.
In the months since the October 7th, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel, the global Jewish community has witnessed an increase in antisemitic activity, unprecedented in recent years. For many in and around Jewish communities, this period has felt inherently different, a sentiment that has raised several critical questions about the current scope, nature, and implications of antisemitism, ADL stated
