Over the weekend while Jewish communities across Long Island were observing the holy days of Rosh Hashanah, several Nassau County synagogues were victims of bomb threats. The source of the threats remains under investigation, but the Nassau County Arson and Bomb Squad performed sweeps at all three locations and though the threats were real, they confirmed the physical threats were “not credible.”

“Acts such as this not only affect the well-being of the Jewish community but undermine the principles of religious freedom and tolerance upon which our American society is built.There are many in the media, government, and other institutions such as The City University of New York (CUNY) that are not only creating hostile environments for Jews by mainstreaming discrimination and perverse anti-Semitic talking points but in fact, condone such rhetoric and behavior. If our institutions of higher learning condone this hatred, why should we not expect this rise in anti-Semitic attacks elsewhere?” said Brown.

 “We must not only eradicate all forms of hate and discrimination but boldly stand up and denounce the consistent hate speech from many of the so-called “leaders.” It is essential to remember that an attack on any religious or ethnic group is an attack on our shared humanity. If you don’t speak out and stand up for others, they will eventually come for you, and there will be no one left to speak up for you. Thank you, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, and to the entire department for their response to the threats and subsequent investigation,” Brown continued.