New York, NY, August 21, 2015 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern over an anti-Semitic altercation in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights in which a visibly identifiable Orthodox Jewish man was accosted by three teens on bicycles.

According to reports, the individual was walking alone on a sidewalk in the vicinity of Eastern Parkway, while the assailants ran over his foot while yelling “Hail [sic] Hitler.”

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident.

Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

New Yorkers, of any religion, race or ethnicity must be able to walk the sidewalks of their own neighborhoods without fear of being targeted because of how they look or what they believe. While we are grateful that the victim was unharmed, the fear that results from incidents like this has the potential to affect the quality of life within the community and must be condemned in the harshest terms.

We have unfortunately witnessed some troubling anti-Semitic incidents recently in Brooklyn which have singled out Jews for violence. The onus lies heavily on our community leaders – including religious leaders of all faiths and our elected officials – to stand up and ensure that anti-Jewish violence does not become a trend in this borough.

While the vast majority of Jews in New York City feel secure, when we witness such deeply troubling events taking place in our backyards, it is cause for concern. The good news here is that the NYPD continues to address anti-Semitic incidents with the utmost seriousness, and we commend the Hate Crimes Task Force for their steadfast work to combat these acts of hate.

ADL noted other recent incidents allegedly motivated by anti-Jewish animus. In two separate events in July, Orthodox Jews were assaulted in Williamsburg, and in May, anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered at The Mirrer Yeshiva in Flatbush.

According to ADL’s Annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, which identifies both criminal and non-criminal acts, New York City experienced 147 incidents in 2014, including 55 in Brooklyn and a 14 percent statewide increase.

Last week, the League announced a new initiative to expand and strengthen hate crimes laws around the country, and has convened a broad range of national and local civil rights organizations. The League will be building local campaigns to support this new national effort.