NYPD Hunts Four Suspects After Swastikas Spray-Painted on Holocaust Survivor’s Home and Synagogues in Queens

FOREST HILLS, Queens — Police are searching for four individuals captured on surveillance footage spray-painting swastikas across at least five locations in Forest Hills and Rego Park, including the home of a Holocaust survivor and two houses of worship.

The vandals struck early Monday morning, targeting two private homes, a car, the Congregation Machane Chodosh, and the Rego Park Jewish Center.

“Disgusting,” said Bertha Alive, whose Forest Hills garage door was defaced with a large swastika encircled in red spray paint. The suspects walked down her driveway to paint the symbol and also threw eggs up at her second-story balcony. “Very upset. It’s never happens to us. Never.”

One of the swastikas was painted on the outside of the synagogue on 108th Street. Rabbi Yosef Mendelson of Congregation Machane Chodosh explained the congregation’s roots: “It means ‘new camp.’ It was founded by refugees of Nazi Germany who came here and they said, ‘Here, we’re going to make a new camp.’”

The NYPD confirmed a fifth act of vandalism was committed at the Rego Park Jewish Center on Queens Boulevard. The department’s Hate Crimes Unit is investigating.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents the area, said, “We’re working on legislation for more resources for our communities who are experiencing a rise in anti-Semitism.”

Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a statement saying in part, “This is not just vandalism. It is a deliberate act of anti-Semitic hatred meant to instill fear. There is no place for anti-Semitism in Queens or anywhere in our city.”

NYPD data shows 30 confirmed anti-Jewish hate crimes were reported in the month of April alone.

The Anti-Defamation League called on the New York City Council to override the mayor’s veto of a bill that would establish buffer zones around schools and houses of worship during protests.

“We very rarely see swastikas on people’s homes, on people’s cars. That is not something we’ve really encountered,” an ADL representative said. “And in this particular case, a swastika on the home of a Holocaust survivor really feels particularly heinous.”

At the synagogue where one of the attacks occurred, police said one person did the spray-painting while the other three stood by.

“We will continue to be here, and this will only make us stronger,” Rabbi Mendelson added.