Rockville Centre religious leaders share their thoughts on state grants to combat hate

The battle against hate and antisemitism can seem never-ending, as there continue to be incidents involving hate speech, propaganda and graffiti of images such as swastikas across Nassau County.

Rockville Centre residents have been witnesses in recent years. From public remarks at a village board meeting that made national headlines, to the distribution of antisemitic literature, to the protests in 2021 and 2022 by the far-right, neo-fascist Proud Boys, the words and images have been impossible to ignore.

To try to mitigate the problem, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week, at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan, more than $51 million in grants to strengthen safety and security at nonprofit, community-based organizations that are at risk of being the focus of hate crimes because of their ideology, beliefs or mission.

“Hate has absolutely no place in our state, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to make sure every New Yorker is safe from baseless violence that stems from prejudice,” Hochul said in a news release. “This is a historic investment in the communities that need our help the most, and with these funds, New York’s most at-risk organizations will be able to invest in the security measures they need to stay safe.”

It is the largest amount of money ever made available by the state’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grant program, which was created in 2017 to help fund the effort to prevent hate crimes against houses of worship, nonprofit civic centers, cultural museums, daycare centers and other organizations.

Joy Gluzman, executive director of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth in Rockville Centre, said that the congregation had received both state and federal funding in the past for security improvements.

“This announcement from the Governor is quite encouraging,” Gluzman wrote in an email. “In our own village we have worked to combat hatred by partnering with other houses of worship, community organizations, working alongside law enforcement and government officials and introducing the broader community to our traditions and culture.”

Rabbi David Lerner, of Temple B’nai Sholom-Beth David, said that in order to protect the building and its congregants, the synagogue has set up cameras with 360-degree turning capability around its perimeter. There is also a “keep-off” system in place, limiting access to the building to congregants.

“We’re constantly upgrading our security,” Lerner said. “When the Proud Boys marched, it was pretty close to our temple … both took place on a Saturday, while we were in services.” 

Lerner said that the village Police Department continues to be an excellent resource, and that it is always helpful and responsive if there is ever any potential threat.

He also noted that the congregation’s “Never Again” committee has been working with Rockville Centre school officials to implement state guidelines on antisemitism in the schools.

Asked about the additional state funds for security improvements, Lerner said that the synagogue was in the process of applying for them. “We have some things that we have earmarked for security, and we’re going through the state mechanisms to provide them,” he said.

The funding Hochul is pledging can be used for interior and exterior security enhancements including lighting, locks, alarms, panic buttons, fencing, barriers, access controls, shatter-resistant glass and blast-resistant film and public address systems, as well as first-time security-bolstering efforts. Which synagogues around the state will benefit had yet to be announced as of press time on Tuesday.

According to law enforcement officials, there were 947 hate crimes reported in New York state in 2022 — the most in the past five years. “The statistics regarding hate crimes in our state are concerning, and we know that education and partnership are the keys to a future that is free from hatred and bigotry,” Gluzman wrote. “A beautiful example of this was the new addition of the Hanukkah menorah to the annual Village holiday display on the Village green.”

In a study conducted by the American Jewish Committee in 2021, it found that nearly 25 percent of Jewish Americans reported to have been the targets of antisemitic incidents — either by physical attacks, remarks in person, or remarks online — that year.

“That’s one in four people of the Jewish faith who personally experienced direct hate in a public setting,” Lerner told the Herald. “This is shameful, and it must be confronted.”

Last December, Hochul launched a statewide Hate and Bias Prevention Unit within the state Division of Human Rights. The unit quickly mobilizes to support communities where hate or bias incidents occurs, and has organized anti-bias councils in every region of the state. Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado chairs the councils.

In May, Hochul convened the state’s inaugural Unity Summit, bringing together 500 representatives of community organizations, law enforcement, and faith groups to discuss ways to work together to prevent future acts of hate.

“In the face of disgusting vitriol and violence, I want to be clear: We are not afraid,” she said. “If you attack one of us, you attack us all — and no one wins a fight against New Yorkers.”

After numerous reports from residents of antisemitic literature appearing around the community, the village board met with Lerner and Rabbi Michael Cohen, of Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth, and unanimously passed a resolution last September pledging to combat antisemitism and to educate residents on ways to identify and report such acts.

“Antisemitism, including harassment on the basis of actual or perceived Jewish origin, ancestry, ethnicity, identity, affiliation or faith, remains a persistent, pervasive and disturbing problem in American society,” Mayor Francis Murray said at a meeting last year. “Government officials and institutions have a responsibility to protect citizens from acts of hate and bigotry, including antisemitism, and must be given the tools to do so.”

The village resolution includes the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism: “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews.” That hatred can manifest in “rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property,” including Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Additional reporting by Brendan Carpenter.