State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Congressman Max Rose, State Senator Simcha Felder, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Councilman Kalman Yeger and Sephardic Community Leaders Condemn Antisemitic Vandalism in Gravesend

Brooklyn, NY -  State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Congressman Max Rose, State Senator Simcha Felder, Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, Councilman Chaim Deutsch, Councilman Kalman Yeger and other elected officials stood side by side with Sephardic community leaders to denounce a vile and hateful instance of antisemitic vandalism at the popular Very Juice cafe in Gravesend. 

The group of leaders condemned the rise of antisemitism and hatred across the country. In 2019, the ADL found that antisemitic incidents had hit an all-time high. The hateful vandalism was found on the day of the two-year anniversary of the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. 

“As we have seen from the rise in violent antisemitic incidents in recent years, rhetoric has consequences. We need to stand up, speak out and show that we will not allow hatred to fester unchecked, whether in the form of hateful vandalism at a beloved small business, online or a Proud Boys banner unfurled over Bay Ridge. Hate has no place in Brooklyn or in our neighborhoods. Today, I am in solidarity with the Jewish community in denouncing the vile and disgusting vandalism,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. 

"The Jewish community has gone through far too much in the past few years,” said Congressman Max Rose, a Jewish Army combat veteran. “From an onslaught of violence last winter to the desecration of the Shore Parkway Jewish Center earlier this month, to the disgusting, reprehensible and anti-Semitic vandalism scrawled on this business. We must always unite as a community and stand against those who would seek to harm us, divide us, and incite hate. And we must continue to call for action, not words, until every community in New York feels safe in this city.”

“Hatred directed at Jewish people and any other group has no place in our community and will not deter us from our larger mission of increasing tolerance and understanding among all who live and work here,” said Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn).

"The hate that we saw scrawled on the window of this cafe is only the latest example of the inexcusable anti Semitic hate that we have seen and continue to see in this city. This vile hatred can never have a place in our neighborhood nor anywhere in this world," said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein.

“Just yesterday, we commemorated two years since the devastating “Tree of life” synagogue massacre that killed eleven of our Jewish brethren. Since then, we have seen steadily rising hate crimes numbers across the country and the world, but particularly here in New York City. Antisemitic graffiti isn’t just about graffiti – it’s a symptom of the hatred and bigotry that feels overwhelming at times here in Brooklyn. Whether it is violent assaults, disgusting vandalism, or even governmental policies, we cannot and will not be silent,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch.

"I'm disgusted by this vile hatred.  I'm disgusted that our beautiful community would be targeted with this vicious act.  Antisemitism is not a new disease, but it is so clear that it is spreading, in no small part due to the harsh and dangerous light being shined on our community by the highest levels of government,” said Councilman Kalman Yeger.

"Yesterday, we marked the two-year anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting, one of the most horrific anti-Semitic attacks in our country's history. The same day, Gravesend residents found hateful graffiti scrawled on a popular cafe, yet another troubling reminder that anti-Semitism remains alive and well, even here in New York City. We must remain vigilant, and ensure those responsible are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I stand with our Sephardic community and elected leaders as we raise our voices and send a clear message, as many times as necessary, that we will not be intimidated by cowardly acts of ignorant hate," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.