State police have increased patrols outside synagogues during the Jewish high holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“Out of an abundance of caution and following a number of appalling anti-Semitic incidents over the past year I am directing the State Police to increase patrols at synagogues and other religious centers across our state,” Cuomo said in a statement.
“We will not allow the cowards who contributed to the recent rash of hateful acts against the Jewish community and other groups to intimidate or divide us. In New York, we value diversity, inclusion and acceptance — and I want to assure our Jewish brothers and sisters that New York stands united with them now and always,” he continued, as he wished “everyone safe, happy holidays.”
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, began at sundown Sunday and will end at sundown Tuesday. Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish year – will start at sundown Oct. 8 and end the following evening.
In New York City, hate crimes are up more than 60 percent since 2018, according to the NYPD.