The Town of Hempstead officials are urging members of the public to remain on the lookout for missing sacred items, artifacts reportedly stolen during break-in at local synagogue
Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin was joined by Councilman Bruce
Blakeman along the township’s south shore as the pair led safety patrols up and down
area beaches to both raise awareness of a vandalism incident that recently occurred at
a local synagogue, and search for sacred religious items reportedly stolen during the
destructive break-in. The beachside patrols, organized by Supervisor Clavin and
Councilman Blakeman in conjunction with Rabbi Eli Goodman of the Chabad of the
Beaches, include Town of Hempstead lifeguards and EMS personnel on gators and in
jeeps scanning the sands for important religious items believed to have been stolen
from the Chabad of the Beaches and possibly dumped near the shorefront as part of the
vandalism attack.
“My heart breaks for the many families who call the Chabad of the Beaches their
spiritual home, and I want them to know the Town of Hempstead stands with them
during this sad hour,” said Clavin. “These shorefront safety patrols led by the Town will
help aid in the search of the many sacred items taken during this incident, and raise
awareness amongst the general public to remain vigilant as the recovery mission
continues.”
“It is a sad day for us all when members of a faith community are made to feel
unsecure in their most sacred of spaces,” said Blakeman. “I ask all members of the
public who may be visiting Town of Hempstead beaches in the coming days to stay on
the lookout for religious artifacts you may come across that appear linked to this
vandalism incident, and report such sightings to our township patrols or other relevant
authorities.”
The Chabad of the Beaches, which is located in Long Beach and serves
community members largely from Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, and Lido Beach, was
found to be vandalized late Saturday night as the outer bands of Hurricane Henri
brought torrential rains and subsequent flash flood warnings to the south shore of Long
Island. The reported vandalism, which occurred as members of the Jewish faith
prepare to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in the coming weeks, included the
ransacking of much of the interior of the Chabad, and the theft of sacred religious items
as well as their disposal along the barrier island’s beaches. The Nassau County and
City of Long Beach police departments are investigating the incident.
“In times of great distress such as this, the entirety of the Town of Hempstead
rallies together and offers support to neighbors in need,” said Clavin. “I am committed
to doing all that I can to help make this sad situation right, and to assist the members of
the Chabad of the Beaches in any way possible as they recover from this awful incident
that occurred merely weeks before the High Holy Days.”
Members of the public are urged to contact the Nassau County Police Department at (516) 573-8800 or the City of Long Beach Police Department at (516) 431-1800 to report any relevant information on the case.
Today I stood with Rabbi Goodman, whose Chabad was burglarized over the weekend. I thank Long Beach PD for quickly apprehending the suspect.
The search continues for stolen items, including two Torah scrolls. Call 1-800-244-TIPS if you have info or spot any religious artifacts. pic.twitter.com/47PTugXjHz
— Laura Curran (@NassauExecutive) August 23, 2021
