Mamdani Condemns Swastikas Painted On NYC Synagogues, Homes – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
Queens, New York — Antisemitic graffiti, including multiple swastikas, appeared on several synagogues and private homes across Forest Hills and Rego Park overnight Monday. The attacks targeted a heavily Jewish neighborhood, prompting swift condemnation from city leaders. Police launched a hate crimes investigation as community members expressed shock and resolve.[1][2]
Targets Struck in Coordinated Vandalism
Four individuals carried out the vandalism in the early morning hours, surveillance footage revealed. Video from the Rego Park Jewish Center captured the group crouching and fleeing just after 1 a.m. Similar footage from a Forest Hills residence showed them tagging a property around 1:30 a.m.[2]
Among the sites hit were Congregation Machane Chodosh in Forest Hills and the Rego Park Jewish Center. Black swastikas marred synagogue walls, while red paint spelled out “Hitler” at one location. Other markings included “Heil Hitler,” a pentagram beside profane words, and defacement of a plaque commemorating Kristallnacht victims. A garage door bore a circled swastika, and a nearby car also suffered damage.[1][3]
City Council Speaker Julie Menin toured the affected areas with council members Lynn Schulman and Phil Wong. She described the discoveries as families and worshippers began their day: terrified signals of hatred replacing routine mornings.
Mayor Mamdani Leads Strong Denunciation
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a forceful statement on social media. “I am horrified and angered by the swastikas painted on homes and synagogues in Queens, including on a plaque honoring survivors of Kristallnacht,” he wrote. “This is not just vandalism — it is a deliberate act of antisemitic hatred meant to instill fear.”[2]
Mamdani pledged solidarity with the Jewish community and confidence in accountability. “There is no place for antisemitism in Queens or anywhere in our city. I stand in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors. Their safety, dignity and belonging are non-negotiable,” he added. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force took up the case immediately.[1]
Key Targets:
- Congregation Machane Chodosh, Forest Hills
- Rego Park Jewish Center
- Private homes and garage on 108th Street
- Kristallnacht memorial plaque
Community Leaders Voice Pain and Defiance
Rabbi Yossi Mendelson of Congregation Machane Chodosh called the vandalism the first major incident in 16 years at his synagogue. The swastika directly touched a plaque remembering Jews murdered for their faith. “They’ll carry on spray-painting, and we’ll live on,” he predicted, foreseeing community unity.[1]
At the Rego Park Jewish Center, Rabbi Romiel Daniel highlighted the site’s role as a daycare and senior center. “This is awful,” he said, noting a minor prior incident years ago. Congregant Suzanne Tufts Israel felt anger amid depression, her sense of safety shattered in the familiar neighborhood.[2]
Menin emphasized education against such hate. “When we see Nazi symbols, when we see swastikas, when we see antisemitic graffiti, we must do more on the educational front,” she urged. Graffiti remained in place pending the probe, with cleanup to follow.
Investigation Advances Amid Heightened Tensions
The NYPD seeks at least four suspects based on video evidence. Officers reviewed footage but released no descriptions yet. Menin confirmed contact with the 112th Precinct, which called for public tips.[4]
These acts unfolded against a backdrop of global antisemitic rises, though officials focused on immediate response. Mamdani’s prior condemnations of similar vandalism, including a Brooklyn playground case, underscored consistent opposition. Queens’ Jewish enclaves now await justice as vigilance grows.
