Las Vegas Jewish community on high alert after nationwide increase in violence

Kyle J. Paine and Linsey Lewis

26 mins ago

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Amid a 140% increase in hate crimes nationwide – exemplified by the violent clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters outside a Jewish synagogue in Los Angeles on Saturday – the Jewish community in Las Vegas is on high alert.

“It’s very scary,” said Rabbi Mendy Harlig of Chabad of Green Valley. “It’s very sad.”

Harlig, whom his congregants call Rabbi Mendy, said he and other Jewish leaders are monitoring their security plan, including the number of officers and other measures to protect synagogue attendees.

“I don’t think we’re in danger,” Mendy said. “But I definitely think we need to do different things to stay on top of security.”

Rabbi Mendy said he has noticed an increase in threatening behavior. Police interrupted the Chabad Church’s Passover Seder in April because someone called to report a hostage situation, and in recent months – especially since pro-Palestinian forces attacked innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023 – Rabbi Mendy has noticed more threatening emails. He told 8 News Now Investigators that the number of Jewish patients asking to visit him during his frequent hospital stays has tripled since the war began.

In Nevada, hate crime rates are 30 percent higher than the national average, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen (D-N.) — who is running for re-election and is pushing bipartisan legislation to combat anti-Semitism — noted a 360 percent increase in anti-Semitic attacks in the U.S. since Oct. 7.

Rosen, who is considered Israel’s most vocal supporter in the Senate, reacted to news of Saturday’s confrontation outside the Jewish temple in Los Angeles with the comment on X, formerly Twitter: “This must be called what it is: anti-Semitism, plain and simple. Dangerous incidents like this are exactly why Congress must finally get serious about the rising anti-Semitism affecting communities across the country.”

In response to Saturday’s outbreak of violence, in which one person was arrested, the interim police chief and mayor of Los Angeles also condemned the protests. LA Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement that said in part: “I want to make it clear that Los Angeles will not be a haven for anti-Semitism and violence. Those responsible for both will be found and held accountable.”

At a press conference, LAPD acting police chief Dominic Choi said: “I just want to acknowledge that to the Jewish community. I understand you. I’m not going to say I understand your fear, but I know you’re afraid, and I understand that. No community anywhere should be afraid to go into a place of worship and have to wonder if they’re going to be attacked, stopped or questioned.”

In Las Vegas, Rabbi Mendy advises his congregation to not only monitor Chabad’s security plan, but to remain vigilant but also to remain positive.

“We have to do our part, which means doing good and kind things, being nice to other people, doing the right thing and behaving decently, but not being afraid and not being intimidated,” he said.