NYC Synagogue Reacts to Terror Threat

A cantor at a lower Manhattan synagogue said religious services there will remain unfazed, despite new threats made against Jewish temples in the city.  

Zachary Koenigsberg, from the Battery Park Synagogue, said his temple will not focus on this week's arrest of two Queens men accused of plotting attacks against synagogues.

"If we were to change the way we think, or feel, or act, that would be giving some kind of victory to those who would destroy us," he said.

Koenigsberg also said he hopes peace will overcome the threats made against the Jewish temples.

"We hope that as Jews and as Muslims we can work together to try to enlighten people that religions preach peace and tolerance for each other," he said.

According to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, the pair arrested on Thursday had planned on bombing unspecified synagogues in Hasidic disguises. The duo was charged with conspiracy to commit terror and hate crimes, and is being held without bail. If convicted, they face life in prison.

This is not the first time New York City synagogues have been targeted for attack. Two years ago, police thwarted a bomb threat against a Riverdale synagogue.