Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By simmons on March 2, 2017

Posted on 02 March 2017.

NEW YORK (Press Release) The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Thursday, March 2, condemned the vandalism of a Jewish cemetery in Rochester, NY. At least 16 headstones were toppled in the Waad Hakolel Cemetery in Rochester, also known as the Stone Road Cemetery, which has been in use by the local Jewish community since the 1920s.

In response to this crime, ADL is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the desecration.

Although it remains unclear if the attack was motivated by anti-Semitism, it was the third incident targeting Jewish cemeteries in the last two weeks. Burial grounds in the Philadelphia and St. Louis areas have been similarly vandalized with toppled headstones and other damage.

We are deeply disturbed by the vandalism committed against the Jewish communitys cemetery in Rochester, said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. Coming on the heels of two other similar attacks on Jewish cemeteries in other cities, it is that much more troubling, and we hope authorities can bring the perpetrators to justice and send a message that this kind of behavior is simply unacceptable.

ADL is in contact with the Rochester Jewish Community and has offered its full support and communal security resources.

The attack comes amid a climate of rising anti-Semitism around the country, and at a time when more than 120 Jewish Community Centers across the country have received telephone bomb threats.

ADL urges anyone with information on this crime to report it immediately to the Rochester Area Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300.

In related news, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has produced an online resource to help parents, families and educators discuss the recent wave of bomb threats and evacuations affecting Jewish Community Centers and day schools with young children and teens.

The ADL resource, Five tips for talking with children about bomb threats at Jewish community centers provides educators, caregivers and family members with tools to help children understand the incidents and to have an open conversation about bias and prejudice that puts the incidents into perspective.

After more than 120 bomb threats against Jewish Community Centers and day schools leading to the evacuation of children and the elderly, anxiety levels are high and children in the affected communities are asking tough questions, said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. This resource offers practical guidance to parents who need to reassure their children without dismissing valid concerns about the recent series of threats and about rising anti-Semitism more generally.

The online resource was created by anti-bias education experts in ADLs award-winning A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute, which works with educators, parents and caregivers through the Leagues network of 27 regional offices to help young people deal with issues of anti-Semitism and prejudice in their schools and communities.

The five recommended ADL strategies for parents and educators include:

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ADL condemns cemetery vandalism, offers tips for JCC bomb hoax victims - San Diego Jewish World

Category: Anti-Defamation League
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