Rockland County, NY – A lawyer for a man who was badly burned at his home in a Hasidic Jewish village is seeking a federal investigation into what he calls “hate crimes” by the community’s religious leadership.
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He said the attack evoked “the Ku Klux Klan and Nazi Germany.”
Sussman’s letter dated this past Thursday to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said intolerance has long infected New Square.
Police said they would investigate thoroughly, but Sussman said local authorities do little because of the congregation’s political influence. New Square often delivers a bloc vote. For example, in the 2000 U.S. Senate race, Democratic contender Hillary Rodham Clinton took 1,400 of New Square’s 1,412 votes.
Detective Lt. Mark Emma of the Ramapo police said that “there may be federal crimes involved” and that his department would not rule out assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
Anti-Defamation League spokesman Todd Gutnick said the organization would await the results of the Ramapo police investigation before commenting.
The state Attorney General’s Office does not have original jurisdiction and can only get involved if it receives a referral from the Governor’s Office, according to state executive law.
The Rockland District Attorney’s Office would have to make the referral to the governor. District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said his office is working with Ramapo police in their investigation.
Meanwhile, According to the Journal News, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer declined comment, spokesman Matt House said,
But Congressman Eliot Engel issued a statement According to Mid Hudson News, calling for justice in the attack on Rottenberg.
“Justice must be vigorously pursued in this case”, said Engel (D-17), whose district includes New Square. “The alleged assailant has been arrested and charged. Now it is time for us to step back and let justice pursue its course. It is essential that this crime be thoroughly investigated to determine the extent of culpability. I am confident in our system of justice, but I will be monitoring these events very closely, and if at any time I believe it is going off course, I will not hesitate to speak out and call for further action.”
Keep the feds out of this. Let the local police handle it.
whith friends like sussman who needs enemys
The local police failed to do anything when the poor victim complained in November. He again complained his car windows were smashed. Nothing was ever investigated. The police are owned by the local politicians who will never go against the bloc vote. This type of crime will continue to happen in New Square because no authorities will risk jumping in.
Then let the Feds come to Williamsburg and investigate all these groups who demonstrate against stores that open, harrasment black mail and extortion by these frum fanatics, its high time that we arrest all of them on federal civil rights charges.
They get federal programs and assistance.
dont exacerbate the chilul hashem
It is time for the Skwerer Rebbe Shlita to come forward with an unequivocal strong statement condemning these horrible actions. It would go a long way restoring some credibility to his community. The press has now cast aspersions on “Chassidic” people as a whole.
Looking at this picture enrages and saddens me. The tears in my eyes mingle with the outrage in my heart. To quote Netanyahu when he addressed Congress, “The biggest outrage is the lack of outrage.” Does anyone in Skver think this man deserved this? I’m afraid to hear the answer. Many Skver chassidim have lost their compassion, their humanity, their morals and ethics. The fact that not one Skver chasid is outraged enough to publicly condemn this heinous act speaks to the fear and cowardice of this cult-like community. It is NOTHING to be proud of.
did rottenberg always shave his beard or is this a result of the attack?
There are other pictures from when he got to the hospital with a badly singed beard. They obviously had to remove it to treat his injuries. I saw a pic from before the attack and he has a full beard.
schumer manages to get his name in the news and on vin yeder muntag und dornishtag but for this he has no comment.hmm? i guess he needs the new square vote too.
Seeing and hearing all the rage in here, I was wondering about the double standard stance of most commentators here at VIN. Just the other week when there were reports of NK visiting with the heads of state in Iran, which I personaly believe is outrageous, a lot of comments were so vile and hateful and called for violence against them, have we ruv forward the same kind of protest? or are we the ones to decide when we live in America with civil rights and when it’s ok to bash or burn down a house? Few years ago when one of the NK houses was indeed burnt, were we as upset???? DOUBLE STANDARD.
Hopefully the Feds will get involved. I strongly object if Skvere’s political influence and clout is being used to stymie an investigation of attempted murder of a Yid. Just imagine the outcry there would be if a Yid was set on fire by a local resident in Harlem and some of the local community leaders there worked hard to stymie a police investigation. The hoize bochur of the Rebbe was caught red handed. Let him sit in jail until he is pardoned him in return for guaranteed votes. Attempted murder may cost a bit more than financial fraud but that’s life!
THe Skverer Rebbe did condemn it – and called for sholom. His Bes Din were even more scathing in their condemnation.
I agree with #21 . When the homes of the Neterei Karta were attacked, and they received threats, there was approval amoung the commentators on VIN. Also, how much outrage is expressed against bullying which goes on even in Yeshivahs, by students against other students (of both sexes). I agree that the FBI should investigate this hate crime, as they are much better equipped to do so, than are the locals, or even the state officials. However, in order to effectively investigate this hate crime, the cooperation of other members of the New Square community is needed. If the other members are going to be silent and not cooperate, the investigation will not get anywhere.
Is it possible that LIPA can make sholom in skver? He comes from there, knows their philosophy but is a bit more worldly.
G-d bless Lipa Schmeltzer,
What a great Mitzva!, being ‘Mevaker chole’.
From the Photograph it appears Mr. Rottenberg is in serious condition as he has significant swelling on his right arm, continuous monitoring, and what appears to be central venous access in his right jugular vein. He is probably being isolated and maintained under ‘contact precautions’-hence the gloves. He also appears to be in considerable pain…How do i know??, you ask. Well look at his vital signs on the monitor his heart rate appears to be 110 beats per minute. In this case it is most probably due to pain, dehydration or both.
Refuah Shleima…
these episodes happen in the radical moslem world, to take place in a so called charadi world is a true shande. unless skver and satmare , or nk is on par with that radical extreme model.
It is amazing that Lipa’s concert was canceled because some Rabbis felt he was not a good role model. Well I can’t think of a better role model than Lipa. He actually went to visit this sick man who he didn’t even know. Where are the Rabbis who felt that Lipa wasn’t a good enough role model. I didn’t see anyone of them coming to visit this poor man in the hospital or at least condeming what happened in New Square. It is so easy to condemn Lipa, but the terrible crime committed in New Square is not worthy of any comment by these Rabbis..
for lipa’s “frivolity” (meaning his jewish music that seems modernized to some) the outcry by the community was so great it cause him to cancel his concert. but for attempted murder, there is only a vague reference to maintaining peace and a refuah sheleima to all. this really has become an olam hasheker…
I think that all those opposed to what happened should not attend this shul till it is publicly announced that this behavior is against our beliefs. I did not hear that there was a himmel geshrai from the Rebbe!! It is a shanda!!! i am embarassed that I am part of this group calling themselves frum jews!
I find it amazing how this is all over someone choosing to daven elsewhere…but it’s okay to try to kill someone?????
If anyone wants to know why I left the Skverer life just look at comment 38. I was surounded by these people yom valayla – they all talk like a bunch of narishe robots and defend shtoos – narishkeit – and worse – violence. If you don’t conform they will first marginalise then obliterate you. I had three good friends – One betrayed me. He was like a spy and made me look bad to community. In a way he saved my life because I got out. By the way its other groups of chassidim too not just Skver.
My message (38) was not to the אפיקורסים on this site, they will burn in גיהנום anyway, freedom of speech won’t protect them there.
My message is to the Erliche Yiden who believe in Hashem, who believe in חז”ל, this is what happens if you fight צדיקים it all came from Hashem. So think before you write, or speak for that matter, for your own sake.
And to #48 , המברך מתברך…
If even ONE person in New Square “wakes up and smells the coffee,” if even ONE person suddenly has a light go on
in his/her head, if even ONE person begins to understand that no amount of chessed or davening can ever obscure the rot taking hold in this community, then YES, the feds should be brought in.
So, #67 , it’s not about the punishment having zero impact. It’s about individuals starting to use this horrific incident as a lens to examine one’s beliefs and one’s community. And maybe make some very tough choices. The truth shall set people free. Sometimes, that’s all they have.