Central New York Jewish community responds to Washington Museum shooting
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The recent shooting outside of a Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, May 21, has deeply disturbed many, including the local Jewish community here in Central New York.
For Mark Segal, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of CNY, the murders were disturbing but not a shock.
'It's not about being Jewish,' said Segal, 'if you are associated with any Jewish organization in any way, you are at risk, and this is what we saw last night.'
Since the incident, Segal has been actively working, starting by evaluating the safety risk for his fellow Jews here in Central New York and ensuring there are proper precautions in place.
'We've been on high alert since October 7, the 23, and we've been on somewhat high alert even before that,' said Segal.
Here locally, this organization has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars just on security for safety, stating they've hired armed guards and off-duty police officers.
According to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) 2024 report, a record of 9,354 antisemitic incidents were documented in 2024, marking it the highest number since the league began in 1979. These incidents have included harassment, vandalism, and assault. Harassment makes up the majority of these cases.
While these numbers may be national, the reaction here in Central New York is deeply personal. Local mom and activist Sam Garrlick says the rise in anti-Semitic incidents isn't something they just read about — It's something that the Jewish community lives with daily.
'What's been going on in this country since October 7 has been a continuous increase of antisemitism, hate,' said Garrlick, reminding that 'Unfortunately, we've seen an increase in antisemitism here locally as well.'
The local mom expresses the importance of education and open communication despite the hate they've received. Garrlick highlighted the power of teaching children about love, diversity, and respect.
'We have my son, my Jewish son, sitting next to a Muslim child where the two of them can be having open and constructive and respectful conversations about our differences,' said Garrlick.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Protesters and immigration authorities face off for a second day in LA area after arrests
PARAMOUNT, Calif. (AP) — Tear gas and smoke filled the air on the southern outskirts of Los Angeles on Saturday as confrontations between immigration authorities and demonstrators extended into a second day and top Trump administration officials vowed to prosecute anyone who interferes with enforcement. Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stood guard outside an industrial park in the city of Paramount, deploying tear gas as bystanders and protesters gathered on medians and across the street. Some jeered at officers while recording the events on smartphones. 'ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are,' a woman said through a megaphone. 'You are not welcome here.' One handheld sign read, 'No Human Being is Illegal.' Smoke rose from burning shrubbery and refuse in the street, and demonstrators kicked at a Border Patrol vehicle. A boulevard was closed to traffic as Border Patrol agents circulated through the area. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a message on social media addressing 'LA rioters' and warning that interference with immigration enforcement will not be tolerated. 'You will not stop us or slow us down,' Noem said on the X platform. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 'will enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple locations Friday, including outside a clothing warehouse in the fashion district. The action came after a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney's Office. A tense scene unfolded outside as a crowd tried to block agents from driving away. Advocates for immigrants' rights said there were also migration detentions outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop. DHS said in a statement that recent ICE operations in Los Angeles resulted in the arrest of 118 immigrants. Following the Friday arrests, protesters gathered in the evening outside a federal detention center, chanting, 'Set them free, let them stay!' Some held signs with anti-ICE slogans, and some some scrawled graffiti on the building. Among those arrested at the protests was David Huerta, regional president of the Service Employees International Union. Justice Department spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy confirmed that he was being held Saturday at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles ahead of a scheduled Monday court appearance. It was not clear whether Huerta had legal representation. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for his immediate release. In a social media post, he cited a 'disturbing pattern of arresting and detaining American citizens for exercising their right to free speech.' The immigration arrests come as President Donald Trump and his administration push to fulfill promises of mass deportations across the country. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the activity was meant to 'sow terror' in the nation's second-largest city. In a statement Saturday, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons chided Bass for the city's response to the protests. 'Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement,' Lyons said. 'Make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation's immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens.' ___ Lee reported from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Who were Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker? Community mourns amid manhunt
A Washington state community is grieving the deaths of three young sisters who police believe were killed by their father, whose whereabouts are unknown. Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5, were reported missing by their mother on May 30 after failing to return from a planned visitation with their father, 32-year-old Travis Decker. Authorities found their bodies on June 2 near their father's unoccupied vehicle near the Rock Island Campground in Chelan County. Local, state and federal officials continue to search for Travis, who is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder and custodial interference. Authorities released new photos and videos of the suspect and are asking for the public's help as the manhunt continues. Since the tragedy, the community of the Wenatchee Valley has rallied behind the girl's mother, Whitney Decker. A GoFundMe page has raised nearly $1 million in financial support for Whitney as of Thursday, June 5. "We ask for grace at this time. Whitney is grieving the unimaginable," said family friend Amy Edwards, who organized the GoFundMe page, at a news conference June 5. "When one mother cries, we all cry and hold her in our heart. Thank you for holding Whitney in your hearts now." Olivia Decker, 5; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Paityn Decker, 9 were three sisters in the Wenatchee Valley. In addition to playing sports and attending school in the city of Wenatchee, the three girls were involved in the local art scene through performance and dance. They performed at the Music Theatre of Wenatchee through a children's program known as "Short Shakespeareans" and practiced dance at the city's Fabulous Feet Dance Studio. Edwards, the director of the "Short Shakespeareans" program and whose daughter was on the dance team with Evelyn, said the community will forever ache with the love for the girls. "This valley helped nurture the creativity, confidence and joy that Paityn and Evelyn and Olivia shined so brightly," Edwards told reporters. "Their laughter, curiosity and spirit left a mark on all of us. They were the kind of children that everyone rooted for, looked for, looked forward to seeing and held close in their hearts. They are cherished, not just by the family, but by our entire community who watched them grow, perform, learn and love." Fellow organizer Mark Belton thanked the generosity shown for the family adding that "compassion has been a source of light in this dark hour." The Music Theatre of Wenatchee held a candlelight vigil on June 3 at Wenatchee's Memorial Park. Dozens of children attending the vigil knew the girls either through the dance program, sports or other programs, according to Seattle station KING-TV. "She was really nice. She was a really good dancer. I really think she was a really good friend," 8-year-old Lilly Jones, who danced with Evelyn, told the outlet. "I really miss her and I just think it was too early." Missy Jones, Lilly's mother, told the outlet she became friends with Whitney after meeting in college and reconnected last fall because of their daughters. "Those girls were her whole world. She did everything for them," Jones said. "Obviously it's hard. I've been really proud of the girls being really supportive of each other and giving each other hugs and talking about their memories of their friends." Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Community mourns deaths of Olivia, Evelyn, Paityn Decker amid search
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
Auburn basketball coach accuses Carville of spreading ‘hatred' with statements about Jewish donors
Auburn men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl sharply criticized Democratic strategist James Carville on Friday over his recent statements about wealthy Jewish donors who have left the Democratic Party. During an appearance on Fox News Channel, the accomplished coach and outspoken Israel advocate ripped Carville for saying earlier this week that wealthy Jewish people were not leaving the Democratic Party because of antisemitism, but rather because they just want a 'f—— tax cut' from the Republicans. 'When you say that wealthy Jews don't want to pay their taxes, that just commits to the Jew hatred and the things that are out there,' Pearl told anchor Bill Hemmer on 'America's Newsroom,' after shaking his head when the show played Carville's remarks. Carville made the comments during the Wednesday episode of his 'Politics War Room' podcast, bashing Jewish donors who decided to stop giving to Democratic politicians and instead donate to President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign after seeing the rash of antisemitism that has sprung up on college campuses and that some Democratic luminaries have supported. The former Bill Clinton advisor didn't buy that reason for the switch, arguing wealthy Jewish donors were looking for an excuse so they could vote for Trump and benefit from his tax cuts. 3 Carville made the comments during the Wednesday episode of his 'Politics War Room' podcast. Politics War Room 'And I hear this all the time… a lot of really wealthy Jewish fundraisers — And they say, 'Look James, I'm a Democrat, but I can't be a part of the party because of what happened at Columbia.' What the f— did the Democrats have to do with what happened at Columbia by the way?' Carville asked. He continued, 'And they tell me that, they look me right in the eye… No, you just want your f—— tax cut.' 3 Head Coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts during the second half in the Final Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Florida Gators at the Alamodome on April 05, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Getty Images Pearl responded on Fox, stating, 'The truth is that Jewish voters are abandoning the Democratic Party because they've become increasingly extreme, and they indulge terrorist sympathizers. You just look at these campuses, you just look at these college graduations.' 'For James Carville to say this, that's an antisemitic trope. Now I don't know whether he's antisemitic or not,' he continued. Pearl also shot back at Carville's suggestion that Jewish Americans are looking for ways to pay fewer taxes, saying 'successful Jewish people' – including himself – pay their fair share. 3 James Carville poses for a portrait at the 27th SCAD Savannah Film Festival on October 31, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia. Getty Images 'So if this is the Democratic leadership, and if he's going to call out wealthy Jews like that,' he added, 'guess what, we're not – they're not staying in the Democratic Party.' Pearl later praised Trump for his support of the Jewish community and Israel, saying, 'There has been no president in the history of our country that has done more to support the state of Israel than Donald Trump.' Fox News Digital reached out to Carville for comment.
