INDIANAPOLIS — Local Jewish leaders react after an attack at a Hannukkah celebration north of New York City this weekend.
Police say five people were stabbed by an intruder with a machete type knife at the home of a rabbi Saturday night.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the incident. He was accused Sunday morning and is now being held on $5 million bail.
David Sklar, assistant director of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relation Council, says attacks on the Jewish community are becoming an epidemic.
"I don't if its real well known what the level of violence is right now against the Jewish community," Sklar said. "Anything folks can do to raise that awareness. At the end of the day, we ask for folks to stand with us. We will continue to confront this hatred, and we look for folks whether Jewish or not Jewish to stand with us."
Sklar says that locally there is a lot of work being done to focus on safety and security, which includes making sure facilities are secure, and staff members are up to date on lockdown drills and are ready to respond when needed.
Meanwhile, the NYPD is stepping up patrols after a string of other possible anti-semitic incidents.
More than a dozen are being investigated — all happening over the past few weeks.
Authorities have ramped up security around synagogues and other places of worship.
