Five people were stabbed in an attack at a rabbi’s home in New York during a Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, and people in Pittsburgh are standing in solidarity with the victims.
When Simcha Teich came to Squirrel Hill to spend Hanukkah with his family, he had no idea he’d be part of a vigil for such a tragic event near his hometown in Monsey, New York.
“There’s just too much hate going on. Jews, Christians, Muslims. especially on religious communities," Teich said.
The mass stabbing happened on the 7th night of Hanukkah. The night was winding down when police said Grafton Thomas barged through the front door wielding a knife, slashing at random, eventually inuring 5 people.
“Standing with our Jewish brothers in New York. Hate is not going to stop us. we’re going to celebrate the holiday of light no matter what happens," Teich said.
Dozens gathered for an already scheduled event to light the public menorah on Beacon Street at Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. But, after last night’s ambush, it turned into an impromptu prayer for the speedy recovery of the victims.
“What’s really important is to talk to our children about what’s happening. We shouldn’t ignore it. We should tell them that when we see cruelty, bullying or violence they have to speak up," Teich said.
Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life held nothing back as he reacted to the most recent attack.
“It makes you pause and wonder what’s going on in our society that people think they have a god given right to attack any human being,” Myers said.
He says the recent spate of violence against the Jews near New York left some afraid to display their menorah in their window or go to synagogue.
“I don’t feel that way. I feel outraged. How dare you attack another faith community. There is no right that you have to do that,” Myers said.
The Tree of Life synagogue sent us a statement, saying they are horrified and saddened by the attack:
"The Tree of Life is horrified and saddened by the attack in a Rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, as they were celebrating Chanukah. This continued spate of anti-Semitic violence in the New York area and around the country is deeply disturbing. Chanukah, which is known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rights of a minority community to observe in freedom, while this attack is an attempt to extinguish the light and remove those rights. In the spirit of Chanukah, our light will continue to shine.
We call upon all good people to work together to remove this evil from existence. We must eliminate H* in its simplest form by getting to know our neighbors and fellow human beings."
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