Forest Hills Rabbi Says Doors Will Stay Open On 'Day Of Hate’

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS —Rabbi Mendy Hecht will not let it be a "National Day Of Hate" in Forest Hills.

"Hate is hate, and the way to eradicate hate is with love and kindness," the director of Chabad of Forest Hills North. "Our doors are going to be wide open."

This decision comes as the city prepares for a possible antisemitic “National Day of Hate” planned by Neo-Nazi groups online for Saturday, which is also the Jewish Day of Rest known as Shabbat.

The antisemitic event has put many New Yorkers on edge, with posts online warning of "domestic violent extremists" planning direct actions.

No specific threats to the city have been detected, officials told Patch Thursday, and stressed that any real threat is unlikely.

The rabbi said that he is in “close contact” with police, which told him that no credible threat has been detected for the Chabad center as of Friday. Police will be present at the Jewish Center on Saturday as they hold their regular services.

Hecht also spoke with Rep. Grace Meng, who told Patch additional resources will be deployed Saturday and emphasized that no threats have been identified in New York City.

"I will continue to monitor the situation with local and federal agencies to help protect the safety of our Jewish community, " Meng said in a statement. "I am pleased that additional resources will still be deployed out of an abundance of caution."

Hecht told Patch he believes the best course of action is to not give in to fear.

“It starts with the Jew but it doesn’t end with the Jew," Hecht said, adding that the Chinese and Black communities are also facing hate crimes in the city. “We have to come together."