Story perspectives

Rabbi Assaulted in Queens on Holocaust Remembrance Day

1/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

A rabbi was assaulted in Queens, New York City, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The assailant confronted him with antisemitic remarks before the physical attack at about 2:30 p.m.
The suspect, Eric Zafra-Grosso, 32, was arrested shortly after the incident.
Officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the attack.
They called for action to combat rising antisemitism and address violence in the community.

History

Historical Context

The Kristallnacht pogrom on November 9-10, 1938, marked a drastic escalation in Nazi Germany's antisemitic violence, resulting in the destruction of over 1,400 synagogues and the arrest of 30,000 Jewish men. This event foreshadowed the Holocaust and drew international condemnation, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against rising antisemitism, as seen in recent attacks on Jewish communities today.

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Story summary

A rabbi was assaulted in Queens, New York City, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The assailant confronted him with antisemitic remarks before the physical attack at about 2:30 p.m.
The suspect, Eric Zafra-Grosso, 32, was arrested shortly after the incident.
Officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the attack.
They called for action to combat rising antisemitism and address violence in the community.

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