Remarks by Amy Paulin for the Interfaith Prayer Vigil Against Hate in New Rochelle

An interfaith vigil against hate was held in New Rochelle on Wednesday June 18 and included rabbis and black church leaders united against antisemitism. It was coordinated by Elder Mark McLean, a minister in New Rochelle and Rabbi Jesse Gallup of Temple Israel of New Rochelle, and Rabbi David Schuck of Beth El Synagogue in New Rochelle.

Assemblymember Amy Paulin planned to speak but the NYS Legislature was in session until 1 am the prior evening and she could not make it back to New Rochelle in time for the vigil the following day.

Here are the remarks that she planned to make at the event:

Thank you everyone for being here today. I am deeply grateful to our interfaith leaders and community members for coming together in prayer, and in unity.

We are here because something is very wrong. Hate has found its way into our neighborhoods—into our streets, our schools, our social media feeds, our daily conversations. And most recently, we’ve seen deeply disturbing acts of antisemitism—acts that are not just painful, but terrifying. They have shaken the Jewish community. They've shaken me. Because I am Jewish. And I am afraid. Many of us are.

Let me be clear: we are against hate in every form. But we must also be honest about what is happening right now. Jewish people are being targeted—in New Rochelle (we can all recall what happened at the Golden Horseshoe), across New York, and around the world. There is a rising tide of antisemitism that is being justified, excused, and even normalized. We cannot let this happen.

And we must reject the false idea that anti-Zionism is somehow separate from antisemitism. Because when Jews are being shot, firebombed, and vilified simply for existing, that is antisemitism. Period.

We cannot allow this current very real, and very dangerous reality to go unspoken. Antisemitism has gone from whispers to shouts. From the margins to the mainstream. And it must be confronted—not just when a synagogue is attacked or someone is hospitalized—but every single time we see it. Every time we hear it. Every time someone tries to disguise it or downplay it.

And so, we gather here, not just to pray to the Almighty for strength, wisdom, and healing—but to send a clear, and unwavering message: We see this hate. And we reject it. We stand together. And we speak out against it. Because if one person in our community is living in fear, we all feel that fear.

So thank you—for standing together today. For standing with the Jewish community. And for standing on the side of peace, and humanity.