Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg spoke in front on his residence, the location of last month's violent Hanukkah attack in Monsey, showing appreciation and offering a plea for acceptance.
Rottenberg read a statement just after providing the invocation at the 2020 State of the State address. He offered appreciation to elected officials for their support since five people were stabbed inside his home.
The rabbi says his community is still reeling from the attack.
"Despite all the horror, we hold strong and and stand tall, and our faith in the almighty, especially recognizing his divine intervention that miraculously allowed the attacker to be subdued by our heroic synagogue manager," says Rottenberg. "This horrifying event is a divine call for soul searching, rather than finger pointing."
Rottenberg went on to say diversity is what makes this country so great, and he does not want hate to destroy that.
Security was also a major discussion during the news conference. State troopers have been monitoring the Monsey home and a private security firm is volunteering its time as well so that residents of the home remain safe.
During the news conference, a car passed by shouting vulgarities.
"You all saw this, so sadly this is how it happens, when you walk to synagogue Friday night, I have friends telling me we got yelled at five times, we had a car rev the engine behind us," says Rabbi Yisroel Kahan.
FULL: Rottenberg holds news conference