At least two Queens synagogues and several homes were defaced with antisemitic graffiti in a spate of vandalism over Sunday night, according to one of the congregations, New York City Jewish community organizations, and local politicians.
Rego Park Jewish Center was vandalized before dawn Sunday with Nazi swastikas and the phrase "Heil Hitler," according to a photograph provided by Center Rabbi Romiel Daniel. A pentagram was also scrawled with spray paint next to the words 'F**k Baahl,' possibly a reference to the increasingly popular conspiracy theory that Jews secretly worship the Canaanite pagan god Baal.
Synagogues, homes targeted in Queens
Daniel said that another synagogue on 108th Street was also vandalized in a similar manner. NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin said on X/Twitter on Monday that she visited Congregation Machane Chodosh, a synagogue on 108th Street. Menin shared photographs of graffitied swastikas on the synagogue and homes.
A plaque honoring the victims of Kristallnacht was also defaced. She said that the New York Police Department, which did not comment on the incident, was investigating at least four sites besides the Forest Hills synagogue.
Jewish Community Relations Council of New York CEO Mark Treyger said on X that one of the sites targeted housed a pre-kindergarten program, "where young children, their families, and staff were greeted with swastikas and other hateful vandalism."
Police investigating multiple suspects
Daniel told The Jerusalem Post that the police had reviewed camera footage, but no suspects had been identified yet. He suspected that someone had come from outside the neighborhood, given that the Center is located in a "very Jewish" area.
NYC Council member Phil Wong, who accompanied Menin and Council member Lynn Schulman to visit the sites, said on X that the police were seeking four separate suspects.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, also on X, that the NYPD hate crimes task force was investigating the incident.
Daniel said that he hoped that the police could quickly catch the perpetrators so that Jewish congregants and community members could feel confident that " no further such vile happenings take place."
Officials condemn antisemitic vandalism
"This graffiti is symbolic of the constant hatred towards Jews and the antisemitic stand taken against Israel by the United Nations," said Daniel.
"Jews standing up for themselves is what antisemites cannot accept. A Jew defending himself is not acceptable. Let them always be victims, defenseless."
The United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York said that it was extremely disturbed by the incidents and thanked local politicians and law enforcement for their support.
Mamdani said that the wave of graffiti was "not just vandalism," but also "a deliberate act of antisemitic hatred meant to instill fear."
"There is no place for antisemitism in Queens or anywhere in our city," wrote Mamdani. "I stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors. Their safety, dignity, and belonging are non-negotiable."
Congresswoman Grace Meng said in a statement that the "disgusting" graffiti would not be accepted in the borough.
"Once again, antisemitic hate has reared its ugly head in our community, and I am sickened by this vile act of antisemitism," said Meng. "I've said it many times, and I will say it again; hate has no place in Queens or anywhere else in our society."