Antisemitic Slurs Slung At Teaneck Family: Florida Mayor

TEANECK, NJ — A Teaneck family vacationing in Bal Harbour, Florida, said they faced antisemitic slurs and threats, prompting a response from the mayor and an investigation by Florida police.

Eric Orgen took to Facebook Tuesday to share what happened, stating that an SUV pulled up beside his family, as well as Teaneck Deputy Mayor Mark J. Schwartz, and four men began shouting obscenities and threats to his family. In addition to the obscenities, the men also shouted "free Palestine," Orgen said.

The four men allegedly threw garbage at the family before a person witnessing the exchange stepped in, he added.

"A man in an Audi right behind them who witnessed this pulled his gun to protect us and chased them as they drove away," wrote Orgen.

His post is included below, and contains profanity.

Bal Harbour Mayor Gabriel Groisman issued a statement, and confirmed that police were investigating.

Groisman also spoke to CBS12 News, stating that "the purpose of these attacks is clear."

"It's to put fear into the Jewish community's hearts, and to the perpetrators of this attack, they must know that they will fail. We're a strong community and a proud community and we stand strong with Israel and no amount of attacks or intimidation is going to work," he added.

Both Groisman and Orgen addressed Israel specifically, and Orgen spoke to a recent Israeli flag-raising ceremony that was canceled in the township.

"Tell me again why we are not raising the [Israeli] flag in Teaneck to show solidarity with those of us who continue to experience hate for simply being Jewish," he asked.

The ceremony, scheduled for this weekend in Teaneck, was postponed amid backlash from some community members, and escalating violence between Israel and Hamas that has left hundreds dead.

A cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has since been announced. Read more: Teaneck Postpones Israeli Flag-Raising Ceremony

Patch has reached out to Schwartz for comment, and will update this story as information becomes available.

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