An intruder stabbed and wounded five people at a rabbi's house in
New York during a gathering to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah late Saturday, officials and media reports said.
The victims were taken to hospitals near the New York suburb of Monsey, two in critical condition, the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC) tweeted after receiving a call at 9:50 pm.
Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, said in a statement that he was "horrified" by the "despicable and cowardly act", and had directed the State Police hate crimes task force to investigate.