Hatred has reared its ugly head in the Hamptons.
Last week, swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti were discovered in Montauk Park.
The vandalism at the popular Shadmoor State Park included spray-painted graffiti with Nazi-era “SS” and “der Jude,” the German word for Jew. And it's the second time anti-Semitic vandalism has been discovered in this upscale East End enclave, since the October 7 attack.
rabbi josh franklin Hamptons Jewish Center He was “heartbroken but not shocked” when he discovered the hateful comments in the park last Thursday, the same day the Israeli flag was stripped from his East Hampton synagogue. That's what it means.
“I'm shocked because I've seen it so many times before,” he told the Post, adding: “There's a sense of violation in the community.” 'I got emotional' Ms Franklin said the incident caused a 'visceral reaction from my gut'.
He also noted that he is regularly referred to as a “baby killer” and a “Nazi” in the wake of the 2023 massacre in Gaza and the war that followed.
It was an “impromptu” meeting, and the rabbi helped organize the meeting the same day. Plain but stoic Franklin He urged the crowd not to give in to gaslighters who tried to paint anti-Semitic Jews as “hysterical.” “Listen – because [someone] You may not be seeing what we are experiencing incredibly deeply,” he said, adding, “Anti-Semitism and Jewish hatred is everywhere…this is our reality.”
Longtime Hampton residents expressed both outrage and indomitable spirit at the expressions of hate.
“This is an attempt at intimidation, an evil attempt that we see all over the world, and we must fight it as we have fought for thousands of years,” said EastEnders star Mitchell Agous, 86. ) said. 50 years.
Last week's incident was the second time in just over a year that Montauk has been rocked by such brazen anti-Semitism.
Last year, the Jewish-owned Naturally Good on Main Street was among the Montauk properties vandalized with swastikas along with graffiti reading “Free Palestine” and “Jeden Die,” which translates to “Jews Die.” It was. Michael Nikolourias, 74, of Montauk, was arrested on a felony charge.
For Rabbi Franklin, it was a sobering thought. “I helped remove graffiti from storefronts, something I never thought I would have to do as a rabbi.”
Easthampton Police Department told the Post that “we have turned everything over to state police” who are leading the investigation.
“These hateful acts are devastating and heartbreaking for our Jewish families, friends, and neighbors, and tear at the fabric of our entire community. Fortunately, here “Love for our community is stronger than the symbol of hate found in Shadmoor last week,” Easthampton City Supervisor Kathy Burke Gonzalez said in a statement to the Post.
“Maybe it's because we're at 'The End,' but our community always stands united and strong. We look out for each other. And we look forward to the future.” We will continue to educate, create space for each of our neighbors, and keep them safe. We stand for love, respect, and acceptance for all.”
A “Stand with Israel” rally in East Hampton in July drew hundreds of participants. Agous, co-organizer of the rally, stressed the importance of unity in the face of threats.
“We must be resolute and resolute, find them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” said the 50-year Hamptonite. “We have encountered anti-Semitism throughout the ages, but it reared its ugly head after the October 7 massacre. We must stand up and be strong. This is the only way to overcome this scourge.”
Charlotte Klein Sasso of Amagansett, who grew up vacationing in Montauk and has lived in the area full-time for 40 years, said the recent anti-Semitic uproar “cut me straight to the core of my soul.” Ta”. This is not the Hamptons I know. ”
Her father, a Holocaust survivor, came to Montauk for the first time with fellow survivors who also fought in the Hungarian revolution, and she said she would be shocked by last week's display of hatred.
“He would have been there with me on the plane.” [town] The greenery stood undone,” she said of her late father, who fell in love with the sea after living in a landlocked country. “He talked a lot about being proud of who we are, speaking up and encouraging people to come together and educate.”
Public events before and after Hanukkah should draw even more people, Jews and non-Jews alike, she said. “Now more than ever, this is about unity.”
Franklin delivered a timely message for Hanukkah, a holiday celebrating the Jewish people's victory in the face of annihilation.
“While there are those who harbor hatred against Jews and seek to intimidate us with acts of vandalism and violence, we refuse to cower in fear. “This is not just an act of resistance, but a sacred responsibility inherent in the Hanukkah story,” he said.
“If you are not Jewish, we warmly welcome you to join us in this mission of shining spiritual light to dispel darkness. We stand with our local Jewish community and light the Menorah.” Join us and share a latke with your Jewish friends while you're at it. Together, we can light up the world.”
