Letter: Anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim graffiti on rise
Rabbi Irwin Huberman, from Congregation Tifereth Israel in Sea Cliff, addresses the community and clergy about the anti-Semitic and racist vandalism that has swept through Queens and parts of Long Island during a meeting at St. Boniface Chuch in Sea Cliff. (Jan. 16, 2012) Credit: Jessica Rotkiewicz
On Jan. 16, the Sea Cliff community gathered to discuss the swastikas that have been found drawn on homes, mailboxes and other locations ["Forum eyes hate graffiti," News, Jan. 17]. Similar anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim incidents have been reported in Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey.
These incidents remind us how important it is to be unified in our communities against acts of hate, whenever it rears its ugly head.
Prejudice, discrimination and bigotry of all kinds continue to escalate in America. The Holocaust did not occur overnight and, like any genocide, was preventable. Hatred and persecution were allowed to flourish because of apathy and lack of intervention.
We call on our government leadership and the media to become more proactive -- to reach out, educate and create a deeper level of understanding and respect among all people. We also request all communities to be present, aware and active upstanders against prejudice, discrimination and bigotry.
Howard S. Maier, Glen Cove
Editor's note: The writer is the chairman of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
