Anti-Semitic Graffiti Discovered In Rombout Middle School Bathroom Stall - Superintendent Stands Against and Opens Investigation

On Friday at 3:50pm, the Beacon City School District’s Superintendent Matthew Landahl informed district families about an act of anti-semitism that happened at Rombout Middle School in one of the bathroom stalls.

Dr. Landahl wrote:

“This afternoon, some anti-semitic graffiti was discovered in a bathroom stall at Rombout Middle School. I want to thank the student who reported it. We have immediately begun an investigation into the incident and the person responsible for it will be held accountable through our Code of Conduct. We stand against this sort of hate speech and it is also clearly spelled out in our Code of Conduct.

“I want to offer our support to our students, families, and staff and please reach out to us if you need assistance or have something to report.”

50 Beacon Jewish Voters and Kids Dedicate Hanukka’s 8th Night To Demand Call For Ceasefire From Pat Ryan

The weeks after October 7, 2023 have been confusing and ever-changing. The feelings of which remain daily. Locally in Beacon, everyone wanted to protect their neighbor - Jewish, Muslim - Arab - to ensure their safety. Protests started in the name of Palestine, led by some Jewish and Palestinian community leaders, like this one in October outside of Congressman Pat Ryan’s office, and this one after the Thanksgiving “ceasefire pause,” also outside of Pat Ryan’s office. The Congressman has yet to call for a ceasefire or give any acknowledgement of the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians, and targeted of others (like journalists).

In response to Pat Ryan’s silence, more Beaconites in the Jewish community began to mobilize, resulting in a ceasefire lighting of the menorah on the 8th and final night of Hanukkah outside of Pat Ryan’s office in Newburgh Thursday evening.

At first, an artsy Ceasefire Menorah sign emerged on social media. The adhesive bling and glitter tape placed at odd angles indicated this was a sign made by children in sincerity, trying to stop the bombing. This is classic Beacon style, for those who were in Beacon during the days of the bicycle sculpture menorah.

Said one participant about the genesis of the organizing: “A local group of Beacon Jews are upset by what is happening in Gaza, and want Pat Ryan to act to stop it.”

Kids from Beacon, Cold Spring and possibly elsewhere wrote on cards their reasons for why they were there and wanted the bombing to stop. Said one Beacon kid: “I support ceasefire because too many people have died.” Said one kid from Cold Spring: “I support ceasefire because what is happening is horrible.”

View fullsize

View fullsize

Said a voter from Beacon: “I support ceasefire because my Jewish values demand it!”

The cards were taped to Pat Ryan’s office window. Cards have been taped to his windows after other protests. Removing them and having them reappear must feel like the scene in Harry Potter when the owls keep delivering the message, despite the messages getting thrown away.

The artist Mimi Fortunato, who describes herself as an artist/educator disrupting systemic racism that perpetuates educational, environmental, economic inequities, painted a cape that she wore to the evening.

300 Community Members Marched In Newburgh Calling For A Permanent Ceasefire And Freedom For Palestinians

The following press release was submitted by Mie Inouye to report on the “March For A Free Palestine!” protest down Broadway in Newburgh on Sunday, December 3, 2023. The march was organized by Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace - Hudson Valley, Veterans for Peace - Hudson Valley, Bard SJP, and the Mid-Hudson Islamic Community.

Three hundred community members took to the streets in Newburgh during the rain on Sunday, December 3, 2023, in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a just peace in the Middle East. Carrying a banner reading “From the River to the Sea Palestine Will Be Free,” marchers called on local representative Congressman Pat Ryan to support a lasting ceasefire and oppose additional military aid to Israel which has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians with U.S. funding and weapons. A humanitarian pause that began on November 24, 2023 ended on Friday. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in the last three days.

“Representative Ryan, listen to your constituents. We are Palestinians, Jews, veterans, people of conscience from all faiths and backgrounds united in our heartbreak and anguish watching Palestinian families buried under the rubble in Gaza. We demand that you represent us, the majority of Americans who want to see an end to violence, an end to occupation, and an end to injustice. Raise your voice with us for a permanent ceasefire. Do not send more of our tax dollars to fund the killing of civilians. We will remember how you vote when it’s our turn at the ballot box.”

— Abdallah Quotate of Mid-Hudson Islamic Community

“As the brief respite from the bombing during the humanitarian pause last week showed us, a ceasefire is the only way to stop needless death and suffering, and to bring hostages home. After killing thousands of Palestinian men, women, and children and displacing more than one million people in the last few weeks, Israel is gearing up to continue destroying Gaza in a war of vengeance with the blessing and the backing of our government. We are here today to make clear: No more money for massacres,” said Felice Gelman of Jewish Voice for Peace.

The marchers focused their calls on Representative Ryan, who has been under increasing pressure from constituents to call for a ceasefire. At a November 9 rally at his district office in Kingston, more than 400 residents delivered a large format check from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for $25,950 (the amount the GOP donor-funded network gave Ryan in 2022), with a memo line reading “genocide.” Ryan was one of just 22 Democrats who joined Republican colleagues in voting to censure his colleague Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

During the march, Abdallah Quotate from Mid-Hudson Islamic Community spoke, saying: “Representative Ryan, listen to your constituents. We are Palestinians, Jews, veterans, people of conscience from all faiths and backgrounds united in our heartbreak and anguish watching Palestinian families buried under the rubble in Gaza. We demand that you represent us, the majority of Americans who want to see an end to violence, an end to occupation, and an end to injustice. Raise your voice with us for a permanent ceasefire. Do not send more of our tax dollars to fund the killing of civilians. We will remember how you vote when it’s our turn at the ballot box.”

Marchers mourned the deaths of thousands of Palestinian and Israeli civilians and called a ceasefire the first step to a just and lasting peace. They ended their march at Representative Pat Ryan’s office on Broadway, where they called on him to support a permanent ceasefire and stop sending his constituents’ tax dollars to fund Israel’s assaults on the Gaza Strip.

“Every life is precious and we mourn all of those, Palestinian and Israeli, who have been so cruelly taken from us in the last few weeks. There is no military solution to prevent more death and devastation – the only path toward a just and lasting peace is to end the occupation and apartheid which denies Palestinians their freedom and dignity,” said Andrew Hiller of Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America.

The march was organized by Mid-Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace - Hudson Valley, Veterans for Peace - Hudson Valley, Bard SJP, and the Mid-Hudson Islamic Community.

Jewish-Led Menorah Lighting Demanding Ceasefire In Front Of Pat Ryan's Newburgh Office

Some people in the Jewish community in Beacon organized a menorah lighting on the final night of Hanukkah in front of Congressman Pat Ryan’s office in Newburgh, to help him hear them demand an immediate ceasefire.

The artist Mimi Fortunato designed a menorah cape specifically for this occasion.
Photo Credit: Mimi Fortunato

From the organizers: “Please come to Rep Pat Ryan’s office this Thursday 12/14 at 4pm-5pm (605 Broadway in Newburgh) to demand that Rep Ryan call for an immediate ceasefire. Bring a sign, light a menorah for the last night of Hanukkah. All are welcome! 🕊️”

Judging by the artistic style of this sign, especially the glitter tape and adhesive bling, and knowing what we know about Beaconites, it is quite possible that this sign was designed by children. Who most likely will be at the menorah lighting.

The first protest held in front of Pat Ryan’s office in Poughkeepsie with over 150 Jewish and Palestinian allies were in attendance was in October, which you can read about here.

Light-In for a Ceasefire Now, A Jewish-led Hanukkah Ritual Action, Wednesday 12/13 Hudson NY

Light In for a Ceasefire Now, A Jewish-led Hanukkah Ritual Action

Members of the Hudson Valley Jewish community join with other communities on Hanukkah using ritual, song and art  to turn up the heat on our ongoing demand for a CEASEFIRE NOW and an end to US aid to support Israels current genocide and ongoing occupation. We will be lighting our menorahs as we shine the light on the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the Occupied Territories.  We will weave together stories and make connections across struggles and liberation movements to amplify the demand for a Ceasefire Now and a Free Palestine, adding our voices to the broader movement in the Hudson Valley, the US and across the globe to call for a CEASEFIRE NOW and end the mass killing of Palestinians. There will be a wide variety of voices represented, and each candle will be lit by a person representing a different intersection of this movement.

WHAT: Light In for a Ceasefire Now, A Jewish-led Hanukkah Ritual Action -Hanukkah ritual to Demand a Ceasefire Now

WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 5-6PM EST

WHERE: Promenade Hill Park, Hudson, NY 

WHO: Organized by an informal network of HV Jewish and Jewish adjacent artists, educators, activists and community members.

WHY: We as Jews demand an end to the genocide in Palestine. We will be lighting our menorahs and shining the light on our demand for a Ceasefire now and a Free Palestine. We as Jews say “Not in our Name” “Never again is now” Anti-zionism does not equal Anti-semitism.

Beauty In Beacon As People Respond To Hate Flyers With Interfaith Event: "One Beacon"

Photo Credits: Frank Ritter Photography

Before Digging Into This Article, Here’s a Letter from the Editor Providing Context:

Letter from the Editor:
The article below was written in November 2018 by Izdihar Dabashi, who attended “One Beacon,” an interfaith event. Before you read about the experience from her perspective, we’d like to bring you up to speed on why the event was created in the first place. Normally, we’d publish this reporting closer to the event, but with the holidays, time got crunched. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and in the spirit of that, we are publishing this story now.

In October 2018, flyers promoting racism and antisemitism were posted onto two churches in Beacon: the First Presbyterian and Salem Tabernacle. This intrusive act spooked anyone who learned about it or anyone who visits the churches on a regular basis.

In response, clergy of different faiths called each other immediately to show their support, and lead people to a unified place in an interfaith event called “One Beacon.” The event provided a platform for reflections and exhortations from several speakers from the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in Beacon, in addition to Beacon’s Mayor, Randy Casale.

---

And Now, for Izdihar Dabashi’s Article Coverage of “One Beacon”

On the 1st of November, 2018, an interfaith event called "One Beacon" was held at the Salem Tabernacle in response to the antisemitic flyers that marred doors of worship in Beacon at the First Presbyterian Church and the Salem Tabernacle, as well as on the grounds of education including Marist College in the Hudson Valley (see this article for descriptions of those flyers).

Speakers at the “One Beacon” event in November 2018, from left to right: Mayor Randy Casale, Pastor Bill Dandreano of Salem Tabernacle, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance, and Pastor Ben Larson-Wolbrink of First Presbyterian Church. Racist and antisemitic flyers had been posted onto the First Presbyterian Churce and Salem Tabernacle. “One Beacon” was the group response to that.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

“One Beacon” was planned before the tragedy that occurred inside of the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh that week. So it was coincidence that this event to celebrate the idea of belonging to the same community - despite differences of religion, gender, race, etc. - arrived at the right time to act as a balm for the distress present on our screens and appearing in broad daylight on our streets. Mayor Randy Casale and Pastor Ben Larson-Wolbrink said they drew a parallel conclusion once the hate flyers came to their attention: Call the police and call the clergy.

Clergy members in attendance at “One Beacon” included Pastor Bill Dandreano of Salem Tabernacle, Pastor Ben Larson-Wolbrink of First Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek of Beacon Hebrew Alliance, Imam Abdullah Abdul Wajid of Masjid Ar-Rashid, and Pastor Ronald O. Perry of Springfield Baptist Church. Mayor Randy Casale’s wide smile could be found in constant conversation. Additionally, state Sen. Sue Serino and her son made an appearance during the event.

All were welcome to “One Beacon,” but as I approached the Salem Tabernacle, I could not help but be mindful of the scarf wrapped around my head, expecting awkward stares at the Muslim girl in a church. To my pleasant surprise, my tentative gaze was met by welcoming faces ushering me inside the warm church to avoid the November cold. Silver towers of food set atop white-clothed tables were among the crowds of people, and were part of our dinner that accompanied the evening.

I briefly connected my gaze to Ginger, Pastor Bill’s mother, and not a blink later she had me in a strong embrace. Every polite nod or handshake I offered was replaced by hugs, diminishing the boundaries of the unfamiliar.

Attendees of the “One Beacon” event. From left: Rayham Dabashi, Sergio Perez (an art teacher at Beacon High School), and Izdihar Dabashi, the author of this article.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

Past the doors separating the entry hall, the nave (the central part of a church) was filled with greetings and laughter decorating the ivory walls with invisible warmth.

A rogue door covered in chipped paint rested against the stage, in front of where we were to all sit. The stage and area in front of it was lined with dense colorful flowers. Sparse splinters and flutters of the chipped paint from the lonely door disrupted the blue velvet carpet. It was an odd sight, but I ignored the peculiarity.

As I made my way down the seating area where dinner and a presentation on a screen were to be included, I was stopped every few steps by introductions and strangers offering me their seats and spots at their table, the smile on my face never waning as I became increasingly aware of the welcoming nature of familiar faces and complete strangers. Venturing further into the brightly lit space, I was seated at a table across from the clergy of Beacon.

The event featured speakers giving their piece on today’s stinging political climate affecting social patterns, with uplifting music in Hebrew and English between speakers. Pastor Bill highlighted the heavy weight of police brutality, particularly the strained relationship between law enforcement and the black community.

Pastor Bill humorously began a rant on how being pulled over while driving is a nuisance, an inconvenient blip in his day. He listed the first three thoughts springing to mind when he gets pulled over:

• His insurance price increasing.

• The annoyance that comes with being late.

• Where in the world is his registration.

Pastor Bill recalled ranting to his friend on this topic one afternoon. Pastor Bill’s perspective on matters of police brutality changed once his friend of color shared the thoughts that go through his mind when he gets pulled over. His friend’s first thoughts when getting pulled over ring sharp in his mind, and are far more overwhelming:

• His wallet is in his back pocket, but how should he reach for it (and the registration) if he wants his hands to be in clear view.

• What is going to happen if he doesn’t find his registration, if he reaches down to grab his wallet and only one hand is in clear view?

• What is going to happen if he doesn't make it home today?

Presenting to the “One Beacon” event. From left: Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek and Pastor Bill Dandreano.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

From there, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek steered the conversation to reflect on the murders that occurred in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, victims of an unjust cause. He led a beautiful traditional Prayer of the Dead, translating Hebrew into English, explaining the prayer is meant to seek comfort in God. Pain glistened in several pairs of eyes, the champagne lights illuminating the depths of grief.

Mayor Randy shed hope through comparison of the Beacon we live in today and the version he lived in during his youth:

• The police riots

• The clash of minorities and Caucasians in the middle and high school

• The division of different groups clustered in the elementary schools.

Mayor Randy gave credit to his mentor, late Mayor Robert Cahill, for the reminder that “when people get away from their religion, it leads them astray;” prompting both mayors to seek control and peace by reaching out to the clergy. Instead of covering up hate, directly addressing tension and opening our minds will pave the way to harmony.

From left: Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek, Imam Hasan MuMuin, Waheebah Wajid, and Imam Abdullah Wajid.
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

Imam Abdullah Abdul Wajid, an imam of the traditional form of Islam, took his time to reinforce the similarities between the monotheistic faiths and how hate crimes against one religion affect all. As acknowledged by the other members of clergy, he emphasized that no one is safe, saying: “It’s ‘them’ today, and you tomorrow.”

He unraveled the meaning behind a Hadith (a collection of records of sayings, actions, and descriptions given by the Prophet Muhammed), concluding there is good to every situation. The violence and strains of political tension that can surface in mainstream media only push people to stand together for support, as indicated in the way the Muslim community in Pittsburgh raised money to support the victims in the Tree of Life synagogue, and offered to provide security to the temple. Little seeds of hate can only become trees if communities choose to nurture their sinful growth.

While the words of the speakers were enlightening, the strength of the resounding energy ricocheting off the walls in the grand room was overwhelming during Salaam-Shalom, the song title meaning “peace” in Arabic and Hebrew. Voices merged with the flow of instruments, filling the room with brightness as the crowd swayed as one.

People’s thoughts tacked onto a door which became part of the presentation during “One Beacon.”
Photo Credit: Frank Ritter Photography

Through all the music, that same broken door stood there, alone. It was a silent observer of the performances. It stood alone and blue from the hue of the icebreaker topics put on a screen in front of us during dinner, and its frayed skeleton was still present at the end of the event. The analogy of the ugly door was still lost after Pastor Bill pointed it out, proclaiming little seeds of hate grow into overbearing trees.

Pastor Bill clarified that to extinguish the flames of hate, we must introduce honesty. Squares of paper with atonements scratched in blue ink soon masked the ugly door, as lines of people tacked their sins onto the wood, shifting the splintering mess into something beautified by raw honesty.

Every time a speaker stood on stage, half of my attention was fixed on the message they shared. The other half allowed my eyes to wander around the room, in stunning awe of the genuine care and empathy on various faces. There was a complete absence of division among the clergy, the event staffers, and the attendees. The kitchen held the same vibrant energy as the main room - the people supplying the food fueled by the significance of this event.

Clergy members greeted each other with an encouraging embrace as they passed the microphone back and forth on their shared stage. Every speaker used humor to connect with the audience, while not straying too far from the seriousness of today’s social problems. It was clear that the city is working to engage with the community to prevent hate.

The "One Beacon" interfaith event reminded Beacon residents that there are allies and acceptance present in this small city, as evidenced by the many different houses of God peacefully sharing Main Street. The mosque, the church, the temple - all open to providing a sanctuary to a diversity of faiths, unified through a humble city.