Boston Police Investigate Antisemitic Hate Crime After Driver Targets Jewish Couple

Boston police have launched a hate crime investigation following an antisemitic incident on Friday evening in the Brighton neighborhood. A Jewish couple heading to Friday night prayers at the Kadima Torat Moshe synagogue was crossing Washington Street when a driver suddenly accelerated toward them. The couple had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, after which the driver shouted antisemitic slurs as he passed by.

The couple safely reached the synagogue, where Rabbi Daniel Aldrich immediately alerted the police. Boston Police Department's Human Rights Unit is investigating the case on suspicion of a hate crime, though no suspects have been arrested yet. Rabbi Aldrich emphasized that the attack was not random, noting the couple wore visible Jewish symbols, including a kippah, making them targets due to their Jewish identity.

He also warned that this incident is part of a continuing wave of antisemitic attacks against Boston's Orthodox community since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. Rabbi Aldrich called on law enforcement to thoroughly prosecute those responsible and treat the incident with the seriousness it deserves, highlighting the impact on the community's sense of security in public spaces.