Felix the Cat
12-18-2005, 05:32 PM
Community Outraged After Menorah Is Destroyed (http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_350182434.html)
Many in the Long Island community of Holbrook are stunned.
In a village plaza on Main Street next to an undamaged Christmas tree and nativity scene, a Hanukkah menorah appears to have been viciously smashed.
Rick Ammirati, the president of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, said people are outraged. He vows to rebuild and restore it.
Suffolk County's bias crime task force responded immediately when shaken community leaders called describing painful memories of similar vandalism during past holidays.
Chuck Mendel, a Holbrook resident, says this is the second or third time something like this has happened and now he wants the culprit caught.
Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks of the Suffolk hate crimes bureau says he is definitely investigating this as a hate crime and is reaching out to the public to help.
Many in this community of mixed faiths are proud of how their religions have commingled
Marvin Kolker of Temple B'Nai described the glory and meaning of the menorah symbol to him.
"Why do they have to pick on the Jewish symbol?" Kolker said. "Hanukkah is the story of freedom and the menorah represents a miracle."
The county police say they are vigorously pursuing whoever's behind this -- adding that local citizens have begun collecting the $1,500 in donations it could cost to repair the menorah.
Many in the Long Island community of Holbrook are stunned.
In a village plaza on Main Street next to an undamaged Christmas tree and nativity scene, a Hanukkah menorah appears to have been viciously smashed.
Rick Ammirati, the president of the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce, said people are outraged. He vows to rebuild and restore it.
Suffolk County's bias crime task force responded immediately when shaken community leaders called describing painful memories of similar vandalism during past holidays.
Chuck Mendel, a Holbrook resident, says this is the second or third time something like this has happened and now he wants the culprit caught.
Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks of the Suffolk hate crimes bureau says he is definitely investigating this as a hate crime and is reaching out to the public to help.
Many in this community of mixed faiths are proud of how their religions have commingled
Marvin Kolker of Temple B'Nai described the glory and meaning of the menorah symbol to him.
"Why do they have to pick on the Jewish symbol?" Kolker said. "Hanukkah is the story of freedom and the menorah represents a miracle."
The county police say they are vigorously pursuing whoever's behind this -- adding that local citizens have begun collecting the $1,500 in donations it could cost to repair the menorah.