Linden Police said an investigation is ongoing into antisemitic hate mail containing such frightening messages as “Hitler was right” sent to residents over the last several weeks.
The letters were mailed to dozens of Jewish residents, according to StopAntisemitism, a grassroots watchdog organization, which called on local officials to vigorously investigate the matter in light of the surge in antisemitic violence and incidents across the country.
“StopAntisemitism calls on the Linden Police Department, Mayor (Derek) Armstead, and Governor [Phil] Murphy to investigate the hate campaign targeting Linden’s Jewish residents that threatens their very existence,” the organization said in a statement emailed to The Jewish Link. “Two Jewish people were recently shot leaving synagogue in Los Angeles, and many warning signs leading up to the attempted murders were ignored. This matter must be taken seriously so that these bigots know there is no place for Jew-hatred in Linden before someone gets hurt or killed.”
In a tweet posted to its website, in which the Linden Police Department, Armstead and Rep. Donald Payne (D-Dist. 10) were tagged, StopAntisemitism wrote that Jewish residents were “horrified” to receive letters at their homes with such messages as “We’re not done” and “Hitler was right!”
“In America 2023, Jews deserve to live safely in their communities,” stated the tweet.
The Anti-Defamation League said in January that antisemitism has risen nationally at an unprecedented rate, and a comprehensive survey it conducted found that since 2019 prejudice against Jews has doubled, rising to the highest level seen in decades.
On its website Congregation Anshe Chesed said of Linden and its growing Orthodox population that it “is an affordable, welcoming, ‘small town’ community in the metro-NYC area, with the peaceful comforts of suburbia and all the amenities of larger Jewish communities.”
The synagogue said the city is a “smart choice” for young couples and families looking to grow their careers and families in “a cost-effective way” because of its centrality to New York City, many universities and work locations. It is also close to kosher shopping, restaurants and bakeries, and has a mikvah.
By Debra Rubin
