Williamsburg, NY – An act of vandalism is currently being investigated by the Hate Crimes Task Force of the NYPD as mezuzas were burned off the doorposts in a single building in the Taylor Wythe housing project in Williamsburg today.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The mezuza burnings took place on the doorways of eleven apartments at 85 Taylor Street, a multi level apartment building located east of Wythe Avenue.
The fire was limited to the mezuzas according to Williamsburg Shomrim coordinator Yanky Itzkowitz.
“The doors and the frames are both metal so they didn’t catch fire,” Itzkowitz told VIN News. Itzkowitz estimated the building to be eighteen floors high.
The fact that this act took place on Yom Hashoah was extremely troubling to Public Advocate Bill DiBlasio who released a statement expressing concern and asking anyone with any knowledge of the crime to contact police.
“Nothing but hatred can explain why someone would burn mezuzahs on Yom Hashoah, the day we remember the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust. This is a sickening act of prejudice that strikes at the very core of who we are as a city. Make no mistake: we will find those responsible. I thank the NYPD Hate Crimes Taskforce and Deputy Inspector Mark DiPaolo of the 90th Precinct for their quick response and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this hateful crime should immediately call the NYPD confidential tips line 1-800-577-TIPS.”
possible I guess they need to use that word until they are sure. See no other sane reason
“The fact that this act took place on Yom Hashoah was extremely troubling”
In williamsburg, as in many other frum neighborhoods, noone even knows about the so-called Yom Hashoa
Horrid. Absolutely horrid. How does someone get into a secure building to do this?
Luke.
The Satmars reject the Zionist Yom Hashoah, So why are they so upset the burnings happened on that day?
“The fact that this act took place on Yom Hashoah was extremely troubling”
In williamsburg, as in many other frum neighborhoods, noone even knows about the so-called Yom Hashoa
I am no satmarer but there is no question the holocaust is more remembered In satmar and in other ultra orthodox communities then in the secular ones and not only yom hashoa first of all because the majority of the community are desendents of survivors
You are correct in saying Yom Hashoah is not widely known. The conclusion we might draw from this is that someone “off the derech” is responsible. Oy.
That’s what’s so interesting about Haredim. When they’re in the “Abshister is telling us something” mood, they can easily see the Yad Hashem. This happened because of Tznius issues, this is because of the Zionists, etc. But when they’re not in the mood, there is absolutely NO connection between anything and it’s just a Hate Crime. Satmar targeted on Yom HaShoa. Hmmmmm…
let me just say that as i went to work this morning a jamaican gentleman stopped me and said that he is very upset about what happened with the mezuzas and feels terrible that people cannot resect each other and live in peace. impressive that this man said these words to me and some of the posters on vin cannot even live in peace with their fellow yidden…..take a lesson from this gentleman and respect each otehr EVEN if you have differences
Putting a mezzuzah on outside dropouts is one mitzva that even lot of non frum Jews continue to follow even if they abandon everything else. Yom hashoa while not popular in williamsburg is known in the non Jewish world because of extensive tv coverage in the ny area.
So this desecration happening on yom hashoah is very disturbing. the day was specifically chosen as well as the easy targets in a mixed population building.