The Jewish community of Rego Park, Queens, awoke to a disturbing scene on Monday morning after multiple institutions, private homes, and a vehicle were targeted with antisemitic vandalism.

Spray-painted swastikas and the word “Hitler” were discovered defacing several properties throughout the neighborhood. Among the targeted communal locations were the Machaneh Chodosh shul and the Rego Park Jewish Center.

The hateful graffiti was also found tagged on a local preschool building, an act that has caused considerable distress for parents and educators arriving at the start of the week.

In addition to the communal and educational institutions, the vandals targeted private property. The spray-painted symbols were found on several neighborhood homes and at least one car parked in the area.

The discovery of the graffiti on Monday morning prompted immediate concern and heightened security awareness within the Queens Jewish community. Incidents of this nature, involving the targeted vandalization of houses of worship and early childhood centers with hate symbols, are typically referred to the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force for investigation.

Authorities were notified as the community awaits further developments in identifying the perpetrators responsible for the desecration.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin visited the scene of the incidents, and wrote on X: “When rabbis and congregants arrived to pray this morning, they expected to be met with their usual loving community. When a family woke up, they were prepared to begin an otherwise normal week. Instead, they were met with terrifying signals of hatred and threats of violence.

“We have visited some of these locations and are in contact with the NYPD, which is investigating and searching for at least four individuals responsible for the terrible incidents. The graffiti will be removed once the investigation is complete.”

“With antisemitism on the rise here and across the globe, we will always stand up for our Jewish community and fight back against hate.”

Queens Jewish Alliance head Sorolle Idels told Belaaz that “The fear is real. Hate isn’t isolated—it’s showing up regularly, here in NYC and beyond. Jews everywhere are feeling it.What will it take to feel safe? What can we do? Thank you to Speaker Menin, Council Members Schulman and Wong, the NYPD 112 pct, and Queens Shmira for being on the scene this morning.”

“Our mayor is notably absent.”

Footage of the incident was first published by FreedomNews.