By COLlive reporter
A senseless act of hatred could not stop a beautiful event of Jewish pride and unity from taking place in Staten Island, NY.
A few hundred people turned out for a “Family Fun Day” hosted by Chabad of Staten Island, directed by Shluchim Rabbi Moshe and Chanie Katzman.
The event had special significance after the discovery only that morning of shocking anti-Semitic hate speech scrawled on the side of the Chabad Center.
The words “synagogue of Satan” were written on the Chabad Center, and across the street, the letters “SOS” were written with spray paint on the Yeshiva Zichron Paltiel of Staten Island, referencing the aforementioned phrase.
The large crowd at the event enjoyed bounce houses, a Kosher barbecue, and other family fun in celebration of the holiday of Lag B’omer.
Congressman Max Rose attended the event to show his support.
The congressman addressed the event, saying that as the only Jewish elected official and congressman representing the Staten Island community, he will not tolerate hateful actions such as what occurred on Wednesday evening.
Despite the act and rising tensions present in the area, the Shluchim say they will not be deterred.
“We need to keep doing what we’re doing,” Mendy Katzman told SI Live. “But we’re still going to go out and be prideful and stand strong,” he said.
smart, powerful and dedicated to bringing joy and love wherever they are. God bless the Katzman’s for standing up and not missing a beat, but doing this wonderful Lag B’Omer party for our community. We love them so much