Adrian Kulesza

New Haven police arrested an individual who allegedly made a threatening antisemitic comment to a Jewish individual near the Westville Synagogue on Friday.

According to a New Haven Police Department press release, the suspect “aggressively approached” an individual outside the synagogue and said, “What if I throw this hot coffee in your face, you dirty Ashkenazi Jew. I used to beat your kind in New York.” The suspect then lunged at the individual, prompting him to run inside the synagogue.

After searching the area, NHPD officers arrested Nicholus Smith, who now faces charges for third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, which is a felony, and second-degree breach of peace. 

“We believe it is an isolated incident,” Westville Synagogue Rabbi Fred Hyman wrote to the News. “We did have a guard posted during shabbos services” — weekly prayer services on Friday night and Saturday to honor the Sabbath.

New Haven Police Department communications officer Christian Bruckhart also described the incident as “upsetting,” but not indicative of a larger threat to the community.

Hyman noted that the synagogue’s leadership have been in close contact with NHPD officers, Mayor Justin Elicker and Michael Shanbrom, the regional security advisor for the Secure Community Network. Shanbrom oversees security for the Jewish Federations of Greater New Haven, Western Connecticut and Greater Stamford, as well as the Jewish Community Center in Greenwich.

As of Sunday evening, Smith is being held on a $10,000 bond. According to Bruckhart, Smith will not appear in court to be arraigned until Monday, because he was processed after the time when the department would usually escort an arrested individual to court for an appearance. The court is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Westville Synagogue, a Modern Orthodox synagogue, is located at 74 W. Prospect St.