A window of a Brooklyn Chabad House was smashed on Shabbos while the rabbi and his family, including young children, were inside.

A large plate glass window was shattered in front of Chabad of Bushwick on Flushing Avenue, Rabbi Menachem Heller said.

They saw two people walking away from the scene.

According to NBC New York, Heller said he asked people “to call 911 because, as observant Jews, they don’t use their phones on the Sabbath. They also flagged down police officers.”

The city has seen a sharp increase in reported hate crimes so far in 2019, the NYPD said. Police had investigated 42 hate crimes through Feb. 4, compared with 19 at the same point last year. Most of those were anti-semitic.

I am deeply disturbed by the apparent attack on the Chabad of Bushwick Synagogue, where a window was smashed during the Sabbath. I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist the NYPD in their investigation into this disgusting act.

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 18, 2019

In an emotional post on social media, Rabbi Heller wrote the following:

Last night we experienced a painful attack on our Synagogue and our Bushwick community.
Together with my wife, children, and our members, we’ve built a strong and diverse congregation in Bushwick that unites Jews of all ages and backgrounds in celebrating our faith and spreading the warmth of our traditions. Last night was a wonderful example. Our community was seated around the table, enjoying each other’s company and the peace and joy of the Shabbat, when our front window was shattered and destroyed by the attackers, feet from where my children were playing. Thank G-d no one was injured but we easily could have been. We thank the police department for their quick response and their ongoing investigation.

“It was really scary. We didn’t know what else was going to come after that.” Rabbi Heller explains what it was like as the front window of the Chabad of Bushwick Synagogue was smashed by vandals early Saturday morning while about 15 people were inside. @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/CQCmM4YddB

— Aundrea Cline-Thomas (@AClineThomas) February 17, 2019

We face this unfortunate experience not with discouragement, but with solid determination: to continue celebrating our faith, sharing our rich heritage, and offering our culture in an inclusive and warm environment. At the same time, we acknowledge the disturbing and increasingly frequent incidents of hate and prejudice in our New York community and its destructive and divisive effects, especially on young people. We encourage each other and the public to stand up against it, whenever it occurs, whatever form it takes, and towards whomever it is directed. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.

Thank you @CMReynoso34 for visiting Chabad of Bushwick and for your strong solidarity with the Jewish community. There's #NoPlaceForHate in NYC. Grateful for your friendship and leadership. pic.twitter.com/MYNPQ09kgH

— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) February 18, 2019

Despite the intentions of this attack to divide and intimidate, our doors will remain as open as ever, welcoming visitors to join our growing Bushwick family. We are determined, G-d willing, to share many years of celebrations and achievements together with the wider Bushwick community.

HATE ATTACK: Windows of Brooklyn Synagogue smashed during Shabbat dinner on Friday night. Chabad of Bushwick – East Williamsburg located at 1087 Flushing Ave. #NYPD investigating.

— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) February 17, 2019

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