Woman apologizes to rabbi over her synagogue remarks

A Rockville Centre woman, who came under intense criticism for her comments at a village board meeting about the spread of synagogues in the community, apologized Tuesday, noting that her comments were "inappropriate" and that she had "learned a valuable lesson from this regrettable experience."

In a written statement issued by her Garden City attorney, Michelle Zangari said she had apologized personally to Rabbi Mendel Gurkov, the neighbor whom she criticized at the April 4 meeting for erecting a large menorah on his front lawn.

"I regret these remarks, and I wish to apologize for speaking in this manner before the board," Zangari said. "I sent a written apology to the rabbi whose home I referenced in my statement. After sending the note, I had the opportunity to speak personally with Rabbi Gurkov. We discussed better and more constructive ways that we can communicate with each as neighbors, as we will do so from this point forward."

In an interview Tuesday, Gurkov said he accepted Zangari's apology, calling it the "beginning of the conversation" and an opportunity to open a dialogue on the issue.

"She apologized deeply for what she said and she understands that while her comments were antisemitic that was not her intent," said Gurkov, a rabbi at the Chabad of Rockville Centre. " … It was a productive discussion ultimately."

Zangari's comments drew widespread criticism from elected officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City).

Video on social media

In a widely shared video on social media, Zangari expressed concern during the meeting about an eight-foot menorah on Gurkov's lawn, suggesting it was the first step in designating the property as a temple. But she insisted that her fears were not about Jews but about protecting the villages' residential and business community.

Zangari urged village officials to change the zoning code and block new houses of worship in residential communities, saying a similar trend occurred when she was growing up in the Five Towns as the area became more Orthodox.

In her statement, Zangari said she had subsequently learned it would be illegal, under state law, for the village to attempt to prohibit religious uses in any zoning district.

"I fully respect the right to the free exercise of religion, and I regret that my remarks implied that the practice of the Jewish faith was unwelcome in this community," Zangari said. "I do not believe in any form of religious discrimination, period.

Again, I apologize for formulating my comments in the way that I did. I have learned a valuable lesson from this regrettable experience. I hope that others will learn from it as well so that, in the future, our community addresses these matters in a fair and open manner that respects the legal rights, and deeply held beliefs, of all interested parties."

Menorah symbol of light

Gurkov says the menorah, which is most associated with the holiday of Hanukkah, is a centuries-old Jewish symbol symbolizing a little bit of light in the darkness. 

"The menorah represents the triumph of good over evil," he said. "It's an absolutely American sentiment that people should be able to do what they believe in and help each other out … Now that we have an open dialogue with the community, and we see what an open dialogue can create, we should be neighborly and help each other when they're in need. That's really what the menorah represents."

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.