NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – Orthodox Jews continued their religious observance of Hanukkah after a stabbing attack in Rockland County.
The festivities continued about an hour after the stabbing during Hanukkah celebrations at a rabbi’s home in Monsey Saturday night.
Yossi Gestetner with the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council says the community remains resilient after a series of attacks in the Tri-State.
“That’s basically a sign of the strength and defiance that no amount of attacks will deter people here in the United States from practicing their religion,” Gestetner said.
Evan Bernstein with the Anti-Defamation League says proactive measures not reactive measures need to be done in response to anti-Semitic attacks.
“It is just a horrific time right now for the openly Orthodox Jewish population in the region,” Bernstein said. “They are terrified and they are scared, and we have to do everything in our power to ensure their safety.”
On Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he plans to implement domestic terrorism legislation in the state.
Grafton E. Thomas, 37, was arraigned Sunday and pleaded not guilty to five counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary in the attack. Bail was set at $5 million and he remains jailed.
The attack was the latest in a string of violence targeting Jews in the region, including a Dec. 10 massacre at a kosher grocery store in New Jersey. Last month in Monsey, a man was stabbed while walking to a synagogue.
And this past week in New York City, police have received at least six reports — eight since Dec. 13 — of attacks possibly motivated by anti-Jewish bias. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday that police presence would increase in Brooklyn neighborhoods home to large Jewish populations.