Person Caught on Video in Golden Horse Shopping Center
two photos of Anti-Semitic slurs painted on two businesses in Gold Horsehoe Shopping Center on New Rochelle-Scarsdale border: The Scoop Shop, above, and Cheryl’s Closet below. Photos by Eric Schoen
large crowd of over 500 rallies against hate
By Dan Murphy
The Westchester community quickly rallied to speak out against the hateful comments spray-painted on two Jewish owned businesses in the Golden Horseshoe shopping center, on the New Rochelle-Scarsdale border. More than 500 attended a rally in the shopping center on Jan. 25, after a vandal spray painted “Geoncide Supporters,” on the windows of The Scoop Shop and Cheryl’s Closet, at 4am that same morning.
The shopping center is located on Wilmot Road, across the street from the JCC of Mid-Westchester. The incident was recorded on video from the Shopping Center. New Rochelle police are investigating the incident. Westchester DA Mimi Rocah’s office is also investigating and other law enforcement may join in the search for the person of interest.
Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah And New Rochelle Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola issued the following statement: “The New Rochelle Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office are investigating reports of antisemitic graffiti found on storefronts at the Golden Horseshoe shopping center in New Rochelle. We understand the unsettling atmosphere of fear across all impacted communities and the safety of our residents and businesses remains a top priority for law enforcement. We have zero tolerance for hatred and bias in Westchester and we will use the full force of the law to hold perpetrators accountable and keep our communities safe.”
Both of the stores that were vandalized had signs that read “We Stand with Israel” in their windows. Chanting “Hate Has No Home Here,” the 500+ supporters included elected officials and religious leaders in the community.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin said, “Our community is still reeling from the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, and still suffering from the knowledge that more than 100 hostages are still being held captive. That struggle has been compounded by an incessant rise in antisemitism everywhere, in our institutions of higher learning, at children’s sport games, and at what we see today, acts of vandalism.
“Make no mistake – antisemitic acts such as these are a threat to Jews everywhere. If history is any kind of guide, this will not end here. The Nazis did not stop with the Jews, they also persecuted persons with disabilities, those they considered racially different from themselves, homosexuals, Jehovah Witnesses, and many others. Racists know no boundaries. In short, they seek to destroy the diversity that makes communities like ours great.
“That being said, we cannot be intimidated by this hateful vandalism. We must all stand up against it, and make sure that these acts never become normalized. Antipathy is also our enemy. This must be a call for everyone to support each other and stand against all acts of antisemitism and all acts of hate.
State Senator Mayer added, “I am deeply disturbed by the overt acts of antisemitism and vandalism at
the Golden Horseshoe. It’s absolutely unacceptable and I am hopeful law enforcement quickly
apprehends those responsible and they are held accountable. This act is not reflective of the community
we call home. But we will not be silent when these acts occur. These acts clearly targeted our large and
vibrant Jewish communities in New Rochelle and Scarsdale. I stand fully united with them and we will
not be intimidated by acts of violence such as these.”
County Legislator Judah Holstein remarked, “I am horrified to see Jewish-owned businesses in my own
neighborhood vandalized in a manner that evokes the darkest chapters of history. It evokes memories of
the stories my grandmother told of stores marked with Jewish stars in 1930s Poland. It’s shocking that
some in our community justify this by conflating antisemitism with criticism of Israel’s policies.”
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “There is no place for hate in our communities, or in our country. These despicable acts not only affect the Jewish community, but all of us. I represented both Scarsdale and New Rochelle in the past, and I stand with New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert and Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest in a steadfast, unified force against antisemitism. No matter where this hatred rears its ugly head, the good people of New York will stand resolute, unwavering against acts of violence and intimidation.”
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said, “Our elected leaders, community organizers, our business leaders are standing together, shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community and reflective of the true values of New Rochelle, which is to reject all hate, all antisemitism, all bigotry.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Tonight the community came together to stand against antisemitism after two Jewish-owned businesses were targeted and vandalized. We must stand with Scoop Shop and Cheryl’s Closet, the jewish community, and others who experience hatred in any form.”
Congressman Jamaal Bowman said, “I strongly condemn antisemitic actions that target Jewish Americans because of their religion or conflate the actions of the Israeli government with our Jewish neighbors. Throughout history, vandalism has been used to target and harass Jewish communities, and the use of vandalism today against Jewish-owned shops here in our district is unacceptable… it is more important than ever to remember that Jewish Americans are not responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, just as Arab Americans are not responsible for the actions of Hamas.”
