Anti-Semitism Strikes Upscale Hamptons Enclave: Swastikas & Hate Graffiti Mar Montauk’s Shadmoor State Park

Anti-Semitism Strikes Upscale Hamptons Enclave: Swastikas & Hate Graffiti Mar Montauk’s Shadmoor State Park

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The tranquil beauty of Montauk’s Shadmoor State Park was marred last week by a grim reminder of rising anti-Semitism, as swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti were discovered scrawled across the park’s surfaces. According to a New York Post report that appeared on Tuesday, the vile symbols included references to the Nazi “SS” and the chilling phrase “der Jude”, the German term for “the Jew.” This act of vandalism marks the second instance of anti-Semitic hate speech appearing in the upscale Hamptons enclave since the October 7 attacks in Israel.

Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons expressed his deep dismay to The New York Post, stating that while he was “heartbroken,” he could no longer claim to be “shocked” by such incidents. On the same day the graffiti was discovered, an Israeli flag was ripped down from his East Hampton synagogue—a symbolic attack felt deeply within the local Jewish community. Rabbi Franklin shared his raw emotions with The Post, admitting that the event elicited a “visceral response from my gut.”

In conversation with The New York Post, Rabbi Franklin also recounted the personal harassment he has endured in the aftermath of the 2023 massacre and subsequent war in Gaza, including being called “baby killer” and “Nazi” by anti-Semitic agitators.

Immediately following the discovery of the graffiti, Rabbi Franklin helped organize an impromptu rally to denounce the hateful act. Addressing the assembled crowd, he urged people to reject gaslighting narratives that dismiss concerns over rising anti-Semitism as overreactions. As The New York Post quoted, Franklin implored:“Listen – because [someone] might not be seeing something that we experience incredibly profoundly. There is anti-Semitism and Jew hatred all over the place… This is our reality.”

The rally became a space for community solidarity, where residents expressed their grief, anger, and determination to resist the growing wave of hatred.

The New York Post also spoke with Mitchel Agoos, an 86-year-old resident of the Hamptons for over five decades, who voiced his outrage and resolve: “This is an attempt at intimidation – an evil attempt we see all over the world – and we have to fight it, like we’ve fought it for thousands of years.”

This past July, hundreds gathered in East Hampton for a “Stand with Israel” rally, an event co-organized by Agoos. Speaking to The New York Post, Agoos offered a powerful call to action: “We have to stand tall, be tough, and find these guys and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. We’ve encountered anti-Semitism throughout the ages—and it reared its ugly head after the Oct. 7 massacre. We have to stand up and be strong—it’s the only way to defeat the scourge of anti-Semitism.”

 For Agoos, this fight against hate isn’t just about confronting perpetrators but also about fostering resilience and vigilance within the community.

This recent incident isn’t Montauk’s first brush with such vile acts. As The New York Post reported, in 2023, Jewish-owned Naturally Good on Main Street was vandalized with swastikas, along with the phrases “Free Palestine” and “Jeden Die”, meaning “Jews die.” The culprit, 74-year-old Michael Nicholoulias, was later arrested and charged with multiple felonies.

Reflecting on last year’s attack, Rabbi Franklin shared with The New York Post how he personally helped clean the hateful graffiti from the storefront. It was, he said, an experience he never imagined would fall within his duties as a rabbi.

In response to the latest vandalism, East Hampton Town Police have handed the investigation over to New York State Police, according to the information provided in The New York Post report. Authorities remain tight-lipped about ongoing investigative details, but the act is being treated with the seriousness it deserves.

Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, East Hampton Town Supervisor, issued a statement to The New York Post expressing solidarity with the Jewish community: “These hateful acts are devastating and heartbreaking to our Jewish family, friends, and neighbors, tearing at the fabric of our entire community. Fortunately, the love for community is stronger here than the symbols of hate discovered in Shadmoor last week.”

Burke-Gonzalez emphasized that despite the pain caused by such incidents, the Hamptons community remains united, determined to support one another and stand against intolerance. She continued: “Maybe it’s because we are at ‘The End,’ but our community always stands strong together. We take care of each other. And we will continue to educate, create space for and keep safe every single one of our neighbors. As we stand for love, respect and acceptance for all.”

As The New York Post highlighted, these words serve as a rallying cry for a community that refuses to let hate overshadow its values.

For longtime resident Charlotte Klein Sasso of Amagansett, the recent wave of anti-Semitism feels deeply personal. As The New York Post reported, Sasso, who has lived in the Hamptons full-time for 40 years, described the graffiti as a wound to her community and her identity.“This is not the Hamptons that I know,” she said, her voice filled with anguish.

Sasso shared her father’s legacy with The New York Post—a Holocaust survivor who found solace and joy in Montauk after escaping unimaginable horrors. Reflecting on her late father, she said: “He would have been right there with me on the [town] green standing up and not hiding. He would talk about being proud of who we are, speaking out and encouraging people to come together and educate them.”

Her father’s spirit continues to guide her, and she hopes that upcoming public Hanukkah events will draw even larger crowds of Jews and non-Jews alike, reinforcing a message of unity over division. “This is about unity—more than ever,” she told The New York Post.

In the face of rising hate, Rabbi Josh Franklin of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons offered a timely and poignant reflection during this year’s Hanukkah celebrations. Speaking to The New York Post, Franklin reminded the community of Hanukkah’s enduring message: “Although there are those who harbor hatred toward Jews and attempt to intimidate us with acts of vandalism or violence, we refuse to cower in fear. Hanukkah teaches us to spread light, even in the face of darkness. This is not merely an act of resistance—it is the sacred responsibility inherent in the story of Hanukkah.”

Rabbi Franklin’s message went beyond the Jewish community, extending a warm invitation to all:

“For those who are not Jewish, we warmly invite you to join in this mission of kindling spiritual light to dispel the darkness. Stand with your local Jewish communities, participate in a menorah lighting, and, while you’re at it, share some latkes with your Jewish friends. Together, we can illuminate the world.”

His words, as were reported by The New York Post, captured the essence of Hanukkah—a celebration of resilience, hope, and unity against overwhelming odds.

Public Hanukkah events, community gatherings, and educational initiatives are expected to grow in size and significance, becoming platforms not only for celebration but also for fostering understanding, compassion, and shared humanity.