New York Jews, time to organize and fight back

The situation in New York City and its surrounding boroughs is worsening daily. Antisemitic groups, including Hamas supporters, are targeting peaceful Orthodox neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens with their antisemitic and anti-Israel messages. Some images show hope—religious Jews wearing kippahs confronting the attackers—but these efforts are unorganized, spontaneous, and insufficient. We need to improve our response. It’s crucial to take proactive steps to defend our neighborhoods if we want to prevent losing them altogether.

The safety and security of Jewish communities have become major concerns, particularly after Mayor Mamdani’s election. Mamdani seems to be more tolerant of antisemitism and the harassment of Jews. Since his election, reports of Jewish harassment in NY have risen. City officials appear unable to provide adequate protection from harassment or violence, leaving Jewish residents vulnerable.

Mamdani has shown that his concern for Jewish citizens’ safety is mainly superficial, expressed in reassuring words after conflicts subside. From his first day in office, it was clear he began systematically weakening the anti-discrimination policies that safeguard New York’s longstanding Jewish community. Pro-Hamas protesters in NY also recognize that their anti-Jewish actions are likely tolerated or even encouraged. It is now time for Jews to take back their communities.

Hamas supporters rampage through Jewish Neighborhoods

Images of the hateful mobs attacking Midwood a few days ago sparked anger and calls for action. When some yeshiva students tried to oppose the mob with megaphones, they were drowned out by the well-prepared crowd. Clearly, more megaphones are needed and should be purchased. Wearing bicycle helmets is also advisable when confronting these menacing and sometimes armed thugs. The era of passive inaction in our neighborhoods is over. We are targeted by a coordinated, well-funded mob that seeks to drive us out of our traditional homes.

The police are tasked with protecting communities, but even the Jewish Police Commissioner operates at the Mayor’s discretion and is limited by his policies. Sometimes, police response is slow, and they often underestimate the threat and the size of attacking mobs. The saying, “G-d helps those who help themselves,” underscores the importance of self-reliance. In many crucial areas related to our safety and security, we are largely on our own. Given the current political climate, it’s clear that we must also focus on neighborhood safety.

This isn’t a radical concept. We have established Eruvs for Shabbos to enhance our convenience. Our communities are integrated into the Hatzalah network, which provides “Jewish” ambulances for emergencies. We’ve also constructed Mikves, Shuls, and Yeshivas as required. None of these are seen as radical; they merely reflect that Jews depend on their own resources to meet their needs.

Each community should establish local neighborhood patrols. In some foresighted (or at-risk) areas, they may already exist. The NYPD provides training for auxiliary units, giving them a limited law enforcement role. These units are trained by active law enforcement officers and aim to enhance area protection. Essentially, they increase the number of personnel dedicated to community safety. We should model the neighborhood Auxiliary Police units after how Hatzallah was originally formed. How many lives have been saved by the professional response of Hatzallah units?

As each community volunteered for the EMT-trained Hatzallah units, residents will also be encouraged by community leaders to join the neighborhood Auxiliary Police units. While street patrols are acceptable, the Auxiliary units have a more formal status.

These units can be deployed as a cordon to safeguard our institutions, which are often targeted by hostile demonstrators. When necessary, these forces would be coordinated with the Hatzollah units and ambulances, should the need arise, G-d forbid.

Doesn’t the danger to our community warrant such preparation?

AS more Jewish communities set up such units, coordination between neighboring communities becomes easier.

A few years ago, during the BLM protests and marches, the Five Towns Orthodox community faced threats. Hostile community leaders nearby issued statements targeting the peaceful, residential Jewish community. Like in other parts of the country, BLM marchers’ visits were often accompanied by criminals breaking into homes and stores, looting, and setting fires. We recall many elected officials in these towns and cities who prevented police from acting against lawbreakers, claiming the rioters were “mostly peaceful citizens.” The overall damage reached millions of dollars.

The residents of the Five Towns chose to defend their community from potential destruction by thugs. They organized themselves by removing all Sifrei Torah from the shuls and securing them elsewhere. Licensed and armed community members also stood guard inside the shuls throughout the night. Thankfully, the protest never took place. Perhaps the marchers sensed that the community was prepared for them.

These suggestions are not “radical” or “militant”; they simply add another layer of protection, alongside Hatzallah, Mikve, and the Eruv.

Reflecting on the recent NYC mayoral election, which exacerbated the current situation, it’s unfortunate that some Hassidic groups made private deals to support the pro-Hamas, anti-Semitic Mamdani. Could they have believed that distancing themselves from the broader Jewish community would shield them from Mamdani-inspired violence? But has that strategy worked? We need to remain together. Those who supported this antisemite failed to see the warning signs. Shame on them.

Neighborhood organization is essential to protect our institutions, neighborhoods, and families. We need to communicate clearly to Mamdani and the city government that attacks against us are unacceptable. NY City Jews should call on their leaders to organize a large demonstration and march on City Hall to express our frustration with the persistent harassment. As taxpayers, we deserve protection. We cannot let Mamdani take us for granted or ignore our concerns.

Seeing pro-Hamas thugs attacking Jewish communities was already shocking. But watching Hassidic Jews, with long payos, wearing Bieber Hiit and keffiyehs around their necks, joining antisemites calling for an end to the Jewish State made my blood boil. I bet you felt just as angry as I did when you saw these pictures of this Chilul Hashem!

Does David Feldman, the head of this fringe group, genuinely believe he would be safe if Hamas or Iran achieved their goal of destroying Israel and killing all its Jews?

He would meet the same fate as the “Queers for Palestine”—a one-way flight off the nearest rooftop.

Satmar has historically opposed this group. While they also see establishing a Jewish state before the Messiah as sinful, they condemn Neturei Karta’s public actions—such as waving Palestinian flags, donning kaffiyehs, or meeting with figures from Hamas and Hezbollah—as a “terrible desecration of God’s name” (Chillul Hashem).

Despite such positive denunciation, Satmar must take further steps to distance itself from these Jewish traitors. To the majority of observers, both Gentiles and Jews, the two groups are indistinguishable because of their similar dress and appearance.

Maybe it’s time to implement a strict Herem to ostracize those supporting our enemies.

Shouldn’t we organize for our neighborhood safety?