Rabbi thinks swastika drawn in chalk on his driveway is isolated incident

CLINTON TWP. — The rabbi who learned someone drew a swastika on the driveway of his home expressed gratitude to his neighbors who helped. And while he characterized the swastika as an indicator of hate, he said the incident does nothing to change his belief that Hunterdon is a warm and caring community.

Rabbi Eli Kornfeld of Chabad of Hunterdon learned his neighbors took pictures of the swastika they found drawn in white chalk in the driveway of his home. They erased the drawing, and then gave the photos to Kornfeld who brought the photographs to police headquarters and filed a report.

“I think they were very sensitive,” Kornfeld said about his neighbors, speaking by phone on Aug. 13. “They took pictures so there would be a record of it because they didn’t want my wife to come (see it) or my kids to be rattled, and that was very kind and sensitive of them.”

“It’s a great and wonderful group of neighbors, and I have a great friendship and relationship with all of them,” said Kornfeld, who has led the Chabad since 2003 and was recently appointed by Gov. Chris Christie to serve on the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education.

The Clinton Township Police report that described the incident did not identify the victim, but after The Democrat contacted Kornfeld, he said the symbol was drawn on his driveway.

Kornfeld said he was in town on July 30 when the incident happened sometime between 8:30 and 11:45 a.m., but he did not indicate whether he or his family were at home at the time. continue...