On Thursday, January 25, two Jewish-owned storefronts at Scarsdale’s Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center were spray-painted with antisemitic slogans. That afternoon, hundreds joined many elected local officials outside these stores for a “Hate Has No Home in Westchester” rally.
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said: “Let’s raise these Israeli flags; let’s show who we are. I had the chance to go to Israel, and really appreciate the connection of New York to Israel. October 7 really showed that connection for me, as someone who’s not Jewish. … Let’s show our kids who we are, how we support each other. We will not be scared. I mourn with you, I am sad with you, but I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, to protect, advocate and speak for this community. Am Yisrael Chai.”
County Executive George Latimer stated: “Hatred is hatred is hatred. When you see antisemitism, you are seeing racism, Islamophobia, misogyny and anti-LGBTQ behavior. Standing here is saying what happened here is wrong. The people who did it need to be identified and prosecuted.”
State Senator Shelly Mayer added: “I am deeply disturbed by the overt acts of antisemitism and vandalism at the Golden Horseshoe. This act is not reflective of the community we call home. We will not be silent when these acts occur. These acts clearly targeted our large, vibrant Jewish communities, New Rochelle and Scarsdale. I stand united with them. We will not be intimidated…”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin commented: “Our community is still reeling from the October 7th terrorist attack. More than 100 hostages are still held captive. That struggle has been compounded by an incessant rise in antisemitism everywhere, in our institutions of higher learning, at children’s sport games, and now this.
“Antisemitic acts such as this are a threat to our entire community and Jews everywhere,” Paulin continued. “Racists know no boundaries. We cannot be intimidated by this hateful vandalism or allow acts such as this to be normalized. I will never waiver on standing up to acts of antisemitism or hate of any kind in our community.”
County Legislator Judah Holstein said: “I am horrified to see Jewish-owned businesses in my own neighborhood vandalized in a manner that evokes memories of stories my grandmother told of stores marked with Jewish stars in 1930s Poland. It’s shocking some justify this by conflating antisemitism with criticism of Israel’s policies. This attack achieves nothing except spreading fear, division and hate. As a life-long member of this diverse community, I condemn this blatant act of hate and call on the community to work towards a future where such intolerance has no place.”
White Plains Common Council President Justin Brasch remarked: “Today’s cowardly attacks on Jewish businesses in a Jewish neighborhood are despicable acts of antisemitism. We will be defiant in the face of Jew-hatred, stand up proudly as Jews, and not cower in fear.”
Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest said: “These actions have cast a shadow over our community, raising concerns and fears among our residents. Such behavior is not only unacceptable, it also goes against the core values of our community. We stand together in denouncing these acts of hate and intolerance. This incident transcends mere property damage. It’s a grave reminder of the persistent issue of antisemitism rearing its head anew in our society. The vandalism is not just an act of defiance but reflects dangerous trends of hate and misinformation; a reminder of past dark times. … Our community must remain vigilant against any and all sources of hatred. We must continue to promote peace, understanding and respect for everyone…”
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah stated: “We understand the unsettling atmosphere of fear across all impacted communities. The safety of our residents and businesses remains a top priority for law enforcement. We have zero tolerance for hatred and bias in Westchester. We will use the full force of the law to hold perpetrators accountable and keep our communities safe.”
David Gelman of Seasons of Scarsdale, located in the Golden Horseshoe shopping center, expressed: “It’s a very big Jewish community here. It’s a very cohesive community. The community leaders and the police have come out and we have received a tremendous amount of support. We are continuing to do our job and to serve the community.”
Adam from Scoop Shop thanked the supporters. “Turnout today was amazing. We really do appreciate it. We feel it right in the heart. We’re proud. We’re not going anywhere.”
