Jewish teen punched in face in Queens unprovoked anti-Semitic attack

A 19-year-old Jewish man was punched in the face by a stranger outside a Queens synagogue in an unprovoked antisemitic attack , police said Wednesday.

The victim, who was wearing traditional Hasidic clothing, was standing outside of Congregation B’Nei Abraham-EF on Main St. near 75th Ave. in Kew Gardens Hills when the assailant stormed up and attacked him at about 2:40 p.m. Saturday

The attacker said nothing as he punched the victim in the face and ran off. The victim suffered a swollen bruise to his face but declined medical attention, police said.

The assault took place on the sabbath and a day after the end of Rosh Hashanah. A few days earlier, the NYPD announced it would be putting extra patrols around Jewish houses of worship to tamp down any antisemitic violence during the high holy days and the first anniversary of the beginning of the Israel-Gaza conflict .

Members of the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force are investigating the case.

Police released surveillance footage of the suspect, wearing a gray T-shirt and black baseball cap, smoking prior to the attack and asked the public’s help identifying him and tracking him down.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.