Blocks From Swastika Incident, Governor Hochul Announces $20 Million In Additional Non-Profit Security Grant Funding

On Wednesday, November 5, Senator Sam Sutton joined together with Governor Kathy Hochul, Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, State Senator Stephen Chan, Assemblymember William Colton, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, City Councilmember Susan Zhuang, JCRC CEO Mark Treyger, Teach Coalition CEO Sydney Altfield, and Imam Ahmed Ali Uzer of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity, to condemn antisemitic graffiti found overnight at Magen David Yeshivah, a Hatzalah dispatch center, and around Washington Cemetery, the largest Jewish cemetery in Brooklyn.

In a moment already defined by unease, this isn’t just vandalism. It’s a disgusting and cowardly attack on every citizen of New York and the values we stand for. When hate defiles a school and a cemetery—places devoted to learning and to memory—it cannot be met with silence or half-measures.

“Our institutions may have been defaced, but our spirit will never be broken. The Jewish community of New York will continue to stand strong, proud, and unshaken. No parent should ever have to explain this kind of hate to their children, and no child should ever need comfort after seeing symbols of the vilest crimes in modern history in their own neighborhood,” said Senator Sutton.

“The Magen David Yeshivah in Brooklyn was one of several Jewish sites defiled last night with spray-painted swastikas. I strongly condemn this hateful display of antisemitism. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident and New York State Police stand ready to assist,” said Governor Hochul.

“Our community stands in solidarity with the families, students, and staff of Magen David Yeshiva, as well as with the Jewish community as a whole. No New Yorker should wake up to see hateful images like swastikas desecrating a place where our children go to learn and feel safe.” said Councilmember Susan Zhuang.

“Hate has no home in New York and Governor Hochul’s show of support and funding announcement sends the message that we won’t let hate go unanswered. $90 million to secure Jewish institutions and nonpublic schools of all faiths is the action needed to ensure our children are safe when they walk through the doors of their schools,” said Sydney Altfield, National Director of Teach Coalition.

“An attack on one community is an attack on all. Every leader from every level of government across the political spectrum has a responsibility to root this hate out and bring people together.” said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY.

Senator Sam Sutton would like to thank Governor Hochul and Deputy Leader Gianaris for pledging to add an additional $20 million to the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) Grant program to ensure that incidents like this never happen again. 

The Dangerous New Reality In America

By Assemblyman Ari Brown

The Democratic Party has surrendered to its most radical, anti-American, and antisemitic elements. With Nancy Pelosi stepping aside and Bernie Sanders declaring Zohran Mamdani as the future of the party, leadership has been handed to individuals who reject American values, mock faith, and fuel division.

I refuse to stay silent as socialism, antisemitism, and hatred for America become the new face of the Democratic Party. As the son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, I was raised on one core principle: never again. My family didn’t survive Nazism so their son and grandson could live in a nation where elected officials normalize antisemitism for political gain.

Zohran Mamdani, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and their allies are not just defending antisemitism—they are driving it. They aren’t just anti-Israel—they are anti-American. They reject the values this nation was built on: G-d, family, faith, responsibility, freedom, and patriotism. They mock Christianity and Judaism alike while elevating ideologies that divide and destroy.

Look at what happened the moment Mamdani was elected mayor. Just hours after his victory, swastikas were found spray-painted inside Magen David Yeshiva in New York City. A Jewish school—defaced with Nazi symbols the morning after his win. Does anyone honestly believe that’s a coincidence? Jewish parents woke up to Nazi imagery on the walls of their children’s school. This is what happens when hatred is legitimized.

Yet Mamdani had the audacity to post online that he was “shocked” and “condemns antisemitism.” Spare me. This is the same man who refuses to denounce the slogan “Globalize the Intifada.” A slogan that glorifies violence against Jews. A slogan shouted at protests he’s supported. He claims he’ll fight antisemitism while standing with people who chant for a world without Israel.

When someone repeatedly embraces anti-Israel movements, refuses to condemn violent rhetoric, and surrounds themselves with activists who celebrate terror—it sends a message. Whether he says it out loud or not, it tells the world: hatred is welcome.

To my fellow Jews—religious or secular—stop voting for politicians who hand out grants to your schools while empowering people who despise your existence. You’re not securing your future—you’re renting silence. Every time you protect the Democratic supermajority in Albany, you empower the same radicals who attack Israel, excuse antisemitism, and undermine America. If a Jewish elected official claims to stand with our community but sides with these voices, they must choose a side. History is watching.

A couple of decades ago, I was the first elected official on Long Island to wear a yarmulke in office and the first and only Republican in New York State history to do so. I don’t just speak for the Jewish people—I live as one, unapologetically, as an American patriot.

The Democratic Party has chosen socialism over safety, chaos over character, and activism over America. Let them go that way—but we will not follow.

I will continue to fight these haters of our Judeo-Christian values, wherever they exist. I will defend America’s values, protect Long Island families, and stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel. This isn’t about politics—it’s about survival. n

Assemblyman Ari Brown represents the 20th Assembly District, which includes the towns and villages of Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, Hewlett, Woodmere, Inwood, Island Park, Lawrence and Oceanside, along with the barrier island from Atlantic Beach to Point Lookout.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman Announces Campaign To Attract New Businesses And Residents To Nassau County

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announces campaign to attract new businesses and residents to Nassau County

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman joined Legislator Mazi Pilip, Nassau County officials, and many local business, community, and religious leaders to announce a new marketing campaign to attract more businesses and residents to Nassau County.

County Executive Blakeman cited Nassau’s excellent schools, top-notch housing market, world-class retail and culinary offerings, amazing cultural and recreational attractions, and nationally recognized healthcare and public safety systems as reasons for prospective residents and out-of-county businesses to relocate.

“We will take this marketing campaign, not only to New York City and the Metropolitan area and the Tri-State area, but across the United States and internationally,” County Executive Blakeman stated.

“We are welcoming anyone who would like to live in Nassau County. You heard it from our County Executive—the best county, the best place to live,” said Legislator Pilip. “Anything anybody could want, we have it here in Nassau County.”

Nassau County has flourished since County Executive Blakeman took office. Our local economy has flourished, and we have been named the safest county in America and the best place to live in all of New York. County Executive Blakeman said spreading that message will help increase our prosperity.

“When I came into office, our Gross Domestic Product was about $85 billion. Now, it is over $125 billion. We have a bigger economy than 126 nations in the United Nations. But the fact of the matter is, you can have all these wonderful things, but if people don’t know about them, they won’t come,” he said.

The County Executive said the official rollout of the new marketing campaign is expected to occur in the coming weeks. 

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman And Nassau County’s Office For The Aging Announce Complimentary Transportation For Seniors To Cancer Screenings

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman And Nassau County’s Office For The Aging Announce Complimentary Transportation For Seniors To Cancer Screenings

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Office for the Aging are proud to announce the launch of a new initiative designed to help older residents access vital health screenings. Through a partnership with GoGoGrandparent, the County will now provide complimentary transportation for eligible seniors who need to attend cancer screening appointments.

This initiative aims to promote the health and well-being of Nassau County seniors by ensuring they can prioritize their health without worrying about transportation costs. All rides offered under the program must be approved in advance by the Nassau County Office for the Aging, and only one free round-trip ride will be available per individual.

“Our seniors deserve access to essential health services without the burden of transportation costs. As County Executive, I will continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our residents to keep Nassau County one of the healthiest and safest counties in America,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman stated.

Seniors who need assistance during or after their appointment are encouraged to bring someone to accompany them. The program is funded through the New York State Office for the Aging and will be available as long as funding permits.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is dedicated to supporting our aging population and ensuring they have the resources they need to maintain their health and well-being. This latest initiative is a prime example of why our County is one of the healthiest and safest in the nation, as well as the best place to live in all of New York!

To request a ride or to determine eligibility, seniors are encouraged to contact the Nassau County Office for the Aging at 516-227-8900 or [email protected].