By Anthony Rifilato
Gainsburg had finished setting up the menorah the night before, and wanted to make sure it was in working order. He had good reason not only to be meticulous, but wary. "Last year they beat the menorah with bats," Gainsburg said, recalling how it was vandalized.
He was in for another shock this year, when he arrived to find the menorah damaged yet again, this time with its light bulbs crushed and wires pulled out. "It's just a shame," said Gainsburg. "It's a terrible situation."
Police said they are investigating the incident as a bias crime, and believe those responsible are more than just pranksters looking for attention. "It's more likely than not that it is a bias crime," said Detective Sgt. Gregg Lesmeister, noting the timing of the vandalism, which occurred between 10 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 10:30 a.m. the next day.
Lesmeister said that incidents such as these are not too common during the holidays, and that the Christmas decorations at the train station were untouched.
Meanwhile, residents are wondering just how this could happen twice. "Everybody has bad feelings about it," said Avi Chander, owner of the Qwik Stop convenience store on Grand Avenue, near the train station parking lot, explaining that customers have expressed concern. "It's not good."
The 6-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide menorah, which is sponsored by the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, stands near the corner of Grand Avenue and Sunrise Highway. Each year, the chamber organizes the Hanukkah ceremony in conjunction with local synagogues and rabbis. Gainsburg, a chamber member and owner of Baldwin Kitchen & Bath Designs, said he is in charge of setting up and lighting the menorah. He recalled how he and other chamber members repaired the extensive damage last year. "We had to rebuild the entire menorah," Gainsburg said.
He explained that extra precautions were taken this year, and that chamber members did what they could to prevent any vandalism. Last year the menorah was set up in the first week of December, but this year they waited until later. "We didn't want to give the opportunity to vandals," Gainsburg said.
Police had not found any suspects as of press time, though they said that the investigation is continuing, and they are reviewing local surveillance tapes. Lesmeister said that no arrests were made in connection with last year's desecration, and that officials have not determined whether the incidents are related.
Gainsburg said he is convinced that both incidents are bias crimes. "After two years in a row, it makes you think," he said.
Gainsburg said he believes that the menorah was specifically targeted, and noted that no damage was done to the town creche and Christmas tree, which are also put up by the chamber. "It hurts, because we live in a community where these incidents do not happen often," he said. "Maybe more people will watch out for it now."
About 30 people attended the Hanukkah service on Dec. 25 - during which a replacement menorah was used - and they were led by Rabbi Aaron Griver of the Baldwin Jewish Center.
The menorah has since been repaired, Gainsburg said, adding that the vandalism wouldn't deter people from celebrating the festival of lights. "We keep re-lighting the candles and rebuilding," he said. "Now it's in good shape."
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