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Brooklyn Is ‘The Jerusalem Of America’: BP Adams and Community Swiftly Respond To Alleged Menorah Vandalism

menorah vandalism
Rabbi Mendy Hecht [left] prepares a replacement menorah for the ceremony on the fifth night of Hanukkah. (Photo by Donny Levit / BKLYNER)

Yesterday, Rabbis from Park Slope and Prospect Heights, Borough President Eric Adams, and neighbors gathered at the Lincoln Playground in Park Slope to light the Hanukkah menorah and condemn what they deemed an act of vandalism during the eight-day holiday.

On Tuesday morning, Rabbi Mendy Hecht of the Chabad Jewish Center of Prospect Heights found the menorah at Underhill Playground turned and slanted in its base, and the menorah at Park Slope’s Lincoln Playground with one of its arms ripped off and the wiring cut, according to the Rabbi.

Other local menorahs such as the Largest Menorah ceremony at Grand Army Plaza as well as the 5th Avenue menorah located outside of J.J. Byrne Park have not experienced any vandalism.

Both the Rabbi and Borough Park President Eric Adams denounced the downed menorahs as an act of hate and vandalism during Chanukah celebration. The incident is currently under NYPD investigation.

Broken menorah at Lincoln Playground in Park Slope (left) and replacement menorah for the 5th night of Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony. (Photo by Carly Miller / BKLYNER)

“Hate is expressed in many ways, it can be expressed in the UN that voted against Jerusalem being the capital of the Jewish state of Israel,” said Rabbi Hecht, calling attention to an October UN resolution naming Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and Western Wall an exclusively Muslim holy site.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams speaking at the menorah lighting ceremony at Lincoln Playground in Park Slope. To his left: Rabbi Moshe Hecht, Director of Chabad of Park Slope. To Adams’ right: Rabbi Mendy Hecht, director of the Chabad Jewish Center of Prospect Heights (Photo by Carly Miller / BKLYNER)

In another UN resolution passed earlier this week, UN Security Council condemned controversial Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and occupied West Bank.

“For 2,000 years we celebrate the Jewish people lighting the menorah at Temple Mount. So we have an act of hate in the UN and an act of hate in Park Slope and Prospect Heights,” said Hecht. “Each expression of hate has to be answered by what? By light. By lighting the menorah. By adding in goodness and kindness.”

“Brooklyn has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. We are the Jerusalem of America,” said Borough President Eric Adams.  “An attack on one faith is an attack on all of our faiths. The destruction of this menorah isn’t a symbol of Brooklyn, the relighting of this menorah is a symbol of Brooklyn.”

Ending the ceremony with song and prayer. (Photo by Carly Miller / BKLYNER)

A crowd of neighbors gathered at the playground on Lincoln Place between 5th and 6th Avenue, some holding signs condemning acts of hatred.

menorah vandalism
Rabbi Hecht gives out Hanukkah treats to the children attending the ceremony. (Photo by Donny Levit / BKLYNER)

“We’re going through rough times nationally, and locally we must have compassion for each other. We’re all human,” said longtime Park Slope resident and community activist Robin Tilem.

Photo by Carly Miller / BKLYNER

Tilem supports the effort to bring more menorahs to playgrounds, where kids can see the symbol and ask questions about diversity and culture. “[This event] is an opportunity to come together. It’s a symbol to show kids, especially in New York City where we are diverse,” she said.

“It’s like Michelle Obama says,” added Tilem’s family friend and lifelong Park Slope resident. “‘When they go low, we go high.'”

Additional reporting by Donny Levit.