The names of girls accused of vandalizing a Yorktown Jewish center with swastikas were released as the community rallied Sunday.
More than 100 Jews, Muslims and Christians stood side by side outside the Mohegan Park Jewish Center in a show of solidarity. Last Thursday, anti-Semitic writings and swastikas were spray-painted at the center, and religious artifacts were destroyed.
"To discover this small, out-of-the-way center desecrated like this, it's a heart rendering shock," said Roger Kahn, of the Mohegan Park Jewish Center.
Michelle Bushell, 17, of Cortlandt, and 18-year-old Barbara Nokaj, of Yorktown Heights, have been charged with burglary in the incident. An unidentified 15-year-old girl is charged with juvenile delinquency.
Police say the charges could be upgraded to a bias crime.
The Mohegan Park Jewish Center president plans to focus on educational initiatives to prevent future attacks.