Brooklyn Reels as Third Anti-Semitic Attack in Eight Days Targets Hasidic Man

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In recent weeks, Crown Heights, a historically diverse neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, has been the epicenter of a disturbing wave of anti-Semitic violence. The latest incident, reported on Wednesday, left a middle-aged Hasidic man hospitalized after suffering an “excruciating” beating at the hands of two assailants. As reported by The Algemeiner, this attack is part of a rising trend in targeted violence against Orthodox Jewish residents in New York City.

Yaacov Behrman, a liaison with Chabad Headquarters, shared details on the assault, which allegedly began as an attempted robbery. Behrman described how two assailants, one of whom was masked, confronted the victim, demanding his cell phone. When the man refused, he was chased down and beaten severely, The Algemeiner reported. The victim is currently in the emergency room, undergoing treatment for the injuries sustained. Behrman expressed the gravity of the incident in a public statement, highlighting that the victim was in severe pain. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has since launched an investigation into the assault.

According to Orthodox Jewish news outlet COLlive.com, both assailants were Black teenagers. This incident marks the third attack on Orthodox Jewish residents in Crown Heights within just eight days. The Algemeiner report emphasized that these repeated acts of violence are exacerbating tensions between the Black and Jewish communities across New York City’s Five Boroughs.

In an earlier attack on Monday, a young Jewish boy, aged 13, was assaulted while biking to school. The assailant, described as an African American man, smacked the boy, adding to the growing list of victims in the neighborhood, as was indicated in The Algemeiner report. Less than a week before that, a visibly Jewish man was slashed across the face while walking in Brooklyn.

Unfortunately, this pattern of violence is not new to Crown Heights. Over the last few years, there have been numerous cases of anti-Semitic attacks in this neighborhood. In July 2023, for instance, a 22-year-old Israeli Yeshiva student who was visiting New York for the summer was stabbed with a screwdriver after two men inquired whether he was Jewish and demanded money, The Algemeiner report noted. One of the assailants stabbed him, while the other punched him in the face. Earlier in the year, four African American teenagers assaulted two Jewish boys, aged 10 and 12, on Albany Avenue.

The Algemeiner report further emphasized that anti-Semitic hate crimes account for a significant percentage of overall hate crimes in New York. According to a report by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, released in August, anti-Semitic incidents represented 65 percent of all felony hate crimes in New York City in the previous year. On a broader scale, almost 44 percent of all reported hate crimes statewide targeted Jewish individuals, and among religious-based hate crimes, 88 percent targeted Jewish victims.

In addition to these disturbing statistics, The Algemeiner recently reviewed NYPD data on hate crimes, revealing a sharp spike in anti-Semitic incidents following the brutal Oct. 7 massacre in Israel by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. Since that date, 385 anti-Semitic incidents have occurred in New York City alone. The Algemeiner describes this wave of anti-Semitic hate as unprecedented in the post-World War II era, attributing it to a global resurgence in anti-Jewish sentiments.

Beyond New York, this troubling rise in anti-Semitism has extended across the United States. According to the FBI, hate crimes targeting Jewish Americans surged to record levels last year, making American Jews the most targeted religious group in the country. The report, published in September, reflects a nationwide trend that The Algemeiner has consistently highlighted in its reporting on anti-Semitism and hate crime statistics.

The NYPD has also documented a substantial rise in hate crimes against Jewish residents, particularly since October of the previous year. According to The Algemeiner, the uptick in anti-Semitic incidents directly correlates with a tragic event overseas: the October 7 massacre carried out by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in southern Israel. Following this attack, which reignited global discussions around Israel and Jewish communities, 385 anti-Semitic hate crimes were reported in New York City alone. The Algemeiner report noted that this wave of violence has reached levels of anti-Jewish hatred unseen in the post-dWorld War II era, illustrating how international events can influence local anti-Semitic activity.

The rise of anti-Semitism is not restricted to New York. Across the United States, Jewish communities are encountering unprecedented levels of targeted hate. As The Algemeiner reported, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published data in September indicating that last year, American Jews were the most targeted religious group in the country. This troubling statistic shows that anti-Semitic hate crimes in the United States have surged to record highs, raising concerns nationwide. The Algemeiner’s coverage of these findings underscores the fact that Jewish Americans are increasingly facing risks to their safety, with anti-Semitic incidents ranging from verbal harassment to violent assaults.

The recent spate of anti-Semitic hate crimes has prompted calls from community leaders, local governments, and advocacy groups to address the issue on multiple fronts. These groups emphasize that anti-Semitic violence not only endangers Jewish lives but also threatens the sense of security and community that New York City and the United States have long worked to foster. In light of The Algemeiner’s findings, advocates for Jewish communities are urging policymakers and law enforcement to adopt comprehensive strategies to counter the rise of anti-Semitism and ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.

The Algemeiner has been at the forefront of reporting on the crisis of anti-Semitism in America, drawing attention to the significant threat posed to Jewish Americans. Their coverage is instrumental in illuminating the scale of the problem and the need for systemic change. As hate crimes continue to rise, The Algemeiner remains a critical voice in calling for vigilance, empathy, and proactive policies to protect Jewish communities across New York and the United States.