Following a knife attack on a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, Alexandria is stepping up its security for local synagogues.
On Twitter, Mayor Justin Wilson said the city’s police department and sheriff’s office are in touch with the Beth El Hebrew Congregation and Agudas Achim Congregation about a heightened police presence.
Our public safety agencies have been in touch with both synagogues in the City and are maintaining heightened visibility given the attacks in Monsey.
We stand against this violent anti-Semitism and for the premise that ALL should be able to safely worship.
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) December 29, 2019
Alexandria police would not specifically say what measures were being taken, citing security concerns, but spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine said city police were aware of the incident in New York and have taken precautionary measures in Alexandria.
Anti-Semitic attacks have been on the rise in the United States. Another attack targeting Jews in Jersey City earlier this month left three dead in a kosher supermarket. Eleven were killed last year in a shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Incidents have happened locally as well, like the vandalism of the Jewish Community Center in Fairfax.
Last night, the Beth El Hebrew Congregation gathered for the 8th night of Hanukkah in Del Ray in a special ceremony dedicated to solidarity against anti-Semitism, according to a Facebook post.
Photo via Beth El Hebrew Congregation/Facebook
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