Jewish community asked to be vigilant Saturday as neo-Nazis promote 'day of hate'

Law enforcement and Jewish organizations across the country are urging vigilance after a neo-Nazi group proclaimed this Saturday to be a national "Day of Hate."

Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, which many Jews observe by attending synagogue prayer services.

The New York City Police Department Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau released a notice about messages on social media urging like-minded people to drop banners, place stickers and flyers, and spray graffiti as forms of activism targeting Jews Saturday.

Several hate groups have said they are participating in the event, including the Goyim Defense League, whose propaganda apparently motivated the suspect in the shooting last week of two Los Angeles men who were returning from synagogue.

"This is all about harassing Jews and creating a public space for hate mongers.  This becomes a recruitment tool to invite others into this dark place of promoting hate and antisemitism," said Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. "Nobody should tolerate this. The community at large needs to unify against hate."

Awareness of the issue locally

Ari Rosenblum, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Rockland, said threats from these neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups have been talked about and spread across the Internet since January. These racist and antisemitic groups have a history of dropping hate-filled leaflets from road overheads, harassing Jews on the streets, damaging property, and violence.

There was an incident in Orlando, Florida, last week. A person who opened gunfire in Los Angeles had materials from the neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups. Theatergoers had been harassed in New York City outside the play, “Parade” – which has Holocaust themes.

The Rockland Jewish Federation has been working with local police and spreading the word across the county. The federation last year became the first community of nearly 150 federations to benefit from the LiveSecure project.

Rosenblum said there are no known specific threats pending in New York and Rockland. The would-be antagonists have not described any geographic area. He said Rockland Jewish institutions have been given guidance on how to respond to harassment.

Specifically, he said, people should be aware of their surroundings and if harassed, don’t respond because the harassers want reactions for their video propaganda. People should call the police and inform the federation.

“The bottom line: It could happen here; it could happen elsewhere,” Rosenblum said. “Ultimately nothing may happen here. Unfortunately, in this day and age, we have to take everything seriously. That’s the world we live in.”

Since 2021, 'days of action' as recruitment tool

Since 2021, white supremacist networks have been designating "days of action" as a tactic to unite white supremacists and draw attention to their cause. A similar day of hate was launched by a small eastern Iowa-based neo-Nazi group earlier this year.

Day of Hate activities might take the form of propaganda distribution, banner drops, verbal harassment or graffiti, Rockland officials said.

Rockland County executive Ed Day and Sheriff Louis Falco agreed while these types of incidents do not always violate the law, they should always be reported for investigation.”

They urge residents to report any of this suspicious activity, vandalism or harassment to law enforcement by calling 911 or the Rockland County Sheriff's Office at 845-638-5401.

Falco said his office is working with local police departments and there will be extra patrols out on the roads and watching synagogues and other institutions. "The Rockland Sheriff's Office has been in contact with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners and is engaging in extra high visibility patrols with a proactive law enforcement presence in throughout Rockland County," Falco said. "We will continue to actively communicate with all of the law enforcement partners throughout the entire weekend as well as maintaining our added patrols."

Both Clarkstown and Ramapo police departments said they will add patrols and are coordinating with other agencies. Ramapo has the largest Jewish population in Rockland.

County legislator Aron Wieder praised the efforts of county law enforcement in a news release, saying Rockland residents should feel safe because of their response.

"I want to thank Sheriff Falco and each and every one of these law enforcement partners for all they are doing to make sure our families are safe and that when we go to bed tonight and tomorrow night, we – and our children - can sleep soundly," Wieder said. "That when we go to Shabbat services, we can feel safe as we offer our prayers and gratitude to God.”

No credible threat against specific synagogue

Etzion Neuer, the senior deputy director of ADL of New York and New Jersey, called the event part of a "broader trend of an emboldening of extremists that we are seeing nationwide."

"It's coming at a time when we are seeing record levels of antisemitic incidents," Neuer said. "Our latest poll showed high levels of antisemitism in the American public so all of this feeds part of a growing concern for the climate here in the U.S."

He noted that there is no credible threat against a specific synagogue or community, and he said the activism of the day will most likely be limited to small demonstrations with banner drops or graffiti, rather than violent acts.

Looking to 'stir up anxiety in the Jewish community'

Evan Bernstein, CEO and national director of the Jewish Volunteer security non-profit Community Security Service, said the event has been in the works for several weeks and several hate groups are involved.

"Based on the intelligence we received from partners these groups are looking to stir up anxiety in the Jewish community," Bernstein said. "We need to be keenly aware, but we can't be scared into staying indoors or not practicing our Judaism."

Another similar event was held in Iowa where another hate group declared Feb. 25 a "day of hate," and other hate groups around the country participated, he said. But there were no violent incidents.

Stir on Twitter over how to respond

The threat caused a stir on Twitter as many were infuriated by the antisemitic rhetoric and reacted to the hateful rhetoric by urging others to take a stand against bigotry.

Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUS, which fights antisemitism, countered that the best response "to the sick hate day being promoted is to participate in something uplifting, 'A Shabbat of Love' in which people gather with friends and celebrate with joy."

Gabriel Groisman, a father of five and the former mayor of Bal Harbour, Florida, echoed her sentiments: "Jew Haters around the US are calling for a 'day of hate' this weekend: I'm calling for a Weekend of Jewish Pride. Join me!"

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Day of Hate plans result in Jewish community urging vigilance