Borough Park, NY – In Photos: Thousands Mourn Boy Killed in Brooklyn (video)

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    Men weep while listening to the funeral of Leibby Kletzky outside a synagogue in the Brooklyn borough of New York July 13, 2011. A Brooklyn man was under arrest on Wednesday after the dismembered remains of Kletzky, who had gotten lost two days earlier walking home from camp, were found in the man's freezer and a trash container, police said. Kletzky, 8, was supposed to meet his family on Monday on his walk home from day camp in Brooklyn's Borough Park neighborhood but never arrived, police said.  REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

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    Borough Park, NY – With shock and grief clutching Borough Park in Brooklyn, thousands of mourners and residents poured into a neighborhood courtyard Wednesday evening for the funeral of an 8-year-old Brooklyn boy who was abducted and killed this week as he walked home from camp.

    more at The NY Times

    Exclusive video by Shmuel Lenchevsky for VIN

    “Here lies my child. Purity of heart. Very quiet and very respectful. Satisfied and never demanding. My child is gone. I’m in very deep sorrow,” Nachman Kletzky said as he choked up.

    He cried and shrieked during his speech, leading a crowd of thousands of faithful at a Borough Park synagogue in prayer and tears.

    They spoke and chanted in Yiddish, stressing the community’s resilience and unity after what one called an unnatural death.

    “I see and appreciate the love from the community,” said Rabbi Benjamin Eisenberger. “Love emanates from the community and God. We must continue to show support for family.”

    Below photos from the scene. Newer photos added at the bottom of page

    The casket carrying Leiby Kletzky, 8, is carried through a crowd of mourners for a funeral service in the Brooklyn borough of New York Wednesday, July 13, 2011. The boy, who got lost while walking home alone from day camp in his Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions, and his remains were found stuffed in a trash bin and the man's refrigerator, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

    The casket carrying Leiby Kletzky, 8, is carried through a crowd of mourners for a funeral service in the Brooklyn borough of New York Wednesday, July 13, 2011. The boy, who got lost while walking home alone from day camp in his Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions, and his remains were found stuffed in a trash bin and the man's refrigerator, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

    A man listens to the funeral of Leibby Kletzky outside a synagogue in the Brooklyn borough of New York July 13, 2011. A Brooklyn man was under arrest on Wednesday after the dismembered remains of Kletzky, who had gotten lost two days earlier walking home from camp, were found in the man's freezer and a trash container, police said. Kletzky, 8, was supposed to meet his family on Monday on his walk home from day camp in Brooklyn's Borough Park neighborhood but never arrived, police said. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

    Community members and others wait before the start of a funeral service for Leiby Kletzky, 8, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The Brooklyn boy, who got lost while walking home alone from day camp in his Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions, and his remains were found stuffed in a trash bin and the man's refrigerator, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

    Spectators and mourners watch for the arrival of the hearse carrying 8-year-old Leiby Kletzy in the Brooklyn borough of New York Wednesday, July 13, 2011. The boy, who got lost while walking home alone from day camp in his Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions, and his remains were found stuffed in a trash bin and the man's refrigerator, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

    Family of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky leave for funeral services in the Brooklyn borough of New York Wednesday, July 13, 2011. The boy, who got lost while walking home alone from day camp in his Orthodox Jewish Brooklyn neighborhood, was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions, and his remains were found stuffed in a trash bin and the man's refrigerator, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

    Community members and others wait before the start of a funeral service for Leiby Kletzky, 8, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. The Brooklyn boy, who got lost while walking home alone from day camp in his Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions, and his remains were found stuffed in a trash bin and the man's refrigerator, police said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

    The hearse carrying the coffin of Leiby Kletzy, the 8-year-old Brooklyn boy who was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions,  leaves his funeral service,  Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the 35-year-old suspect, Levi Aron, made statements implicating himself in the boy's death.  (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

    The hearse carrying the coffin of  Leiby Kletzy, the 8-year-old Brooklyn boy who was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions,  leaves his funeral service,  Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the 35-year-old suspect, Levi Aron, made statements implicating himself in the boy's death.  (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

    The hearse carrying the coffin of Leiby Kletzy, the 8-year-old Brooklyn boy who was killed and dismembered by a stranger he had asked for directions,  leaves his funeral service,  Wednesday, July 13, 2011 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said the 35-year-old suspect, Levi Aron, made statements implicating himself in the boy's death.  (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

    A man climbs a pole to watch the casket of Leibby Kletzky being carried out of a synagogue following his funeral service in New York July 13, 2011. A Brooklyn man was under arrest on Wednesday after the dismembered remains of Kletzky, who had gotten lost two days earlier walking home from camp, were found in the man's freezer and a trash container, police said. Kletzky, 8, was supposed to meet his family on Monday on his walk home from day camp in Brooklyn's Borough Park neighborhood but never arrived, police said.  REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

    The casket of Leibby Kletzky is carried out of a synagogue after his funeral service in New York July 13, 2011. A Brooklyn man was under arrest on Wednesday after the dismembered remains of Kletzky, who had gotten lost two days earlier walking home from camp, were found in the man's freezer and a trash container, police said. Kletzky, 8, was supposed to meet his family on Monday on his walk home from day camp in Brooklyn's Borough Park neighborhood but never arrived, police said.  REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

    The Kletzky family

    Rabbi Eisenberg eulogizing

    NYC Comptroller can bee seen with NYS Assemblymen Dov Hikind

    The Satmar Rabbi Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum

    Part of the crowed

    All photos below VIN News photographer Stefano Giovannini

    Below photos credit: Eli
    NYPD Chief Fox



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    41 Comments
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    footey
    footey
    12 years ago

    THE PAIN IS EXTREMELY GREAT BUT I SHARE THIS WITH YOU! Pessa Leah Lapine, HY”D was brutally murdered in February of 1992 in her apartment in crown heights. Following her shiva, the lubavitcher Rebbe gave a talk which included this message:

    What has occurred – an act of open martyrdom – is utterly incomprehensible!
    There is no one to whom to turn for an explanation. All those present, including myself, are equally confounded. So what do we gain by questioning? The question will remain…

    To die al kiddush Hashem, for the sanctification of G-d’s Name, is an incredible merit—as is demonstrated by this episode:

    The venerable Rabbi Yosef Karo reached such a high spiritual level that he was informed from Above that he had “earned” the merit to die al kiddush Hashem. Later, because of his involvement in an incident that was not appropriate – considering his exalted spiritual level – he was denied this privilege.

    What happened afterwards? He lived many more fruitful years, and composed the Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law. By authoring this universally accepted Code, Rabbi Karo, in effect, became the rabbi of all Jews until the end of times.

    footey
    footey
    12 years ago

    Yet despite all his subsequent achievements, he was “denied the privilege” of dying al kiddush Hashem; i.e., dying al kiddush Hashem would have been considered an even greater merit than being the rabbi of all Jews in all following generations!

    What do we gain by questioning?

    The greatness of dying al kiddush Hashem is amplified in this instance, for the victim was a young mother who left behind young children. Being taken from her children is a greater sacrifice than that of her own life. For this means that she must give over the upbringing and education of her children to others. This is the greatest sacrifice possible for a mother.

    For many years to come – if, G-d forbid, the fulfillment of the prophecy “Those that lie in the dust will arise and sing” will be delayed – these children will long for their mother. They will recount to their own children their intense longing for their mother; they will tell them that she merited to sanctify G-d’s Name…

    Enough is enough! Have we not sufficed with all the martyrdom we have experienced until now?

    And that which G-d derives nachas and pleasure from a Jew’s self-sacrifice—it suffices the self-sacrifice of a Jew who is in exile,

    12 years ago

    I think we can all agree that the era of giving suspected molesters in our community the benefit of the doubt is OVER!
    I hope the askonim can feel the pulse of the community and change course.

    PrettyBoyFloyd
    PrettyBoyFloyd
    12 years ago

    המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבילי ציון וירושלים

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    12 years ago

    Hopefully, this tragedy will make frum yidden more open about the reality of mental illness within the heimeshe community and result in the rabbonim and askanim demanding that any incident of abuse or even a suspician of abuse be reported to the police immediately. No more of this meshugaas about being a moser or dealing with these matter quietly within the kehillah. Any individual who is suspect needs to be quickly identified and investigated.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    12 years ago

    Will the Agudah still work arm in arm with the Catholic Church to block any legislation requiring not for profit organizations to report suspected child abusers??

    chaimbrooklyn
    chaimbrooklyn
    12 years ago

    Wasn’t one dry eye… Mi Keamchu Yisruel what a crowed!!! Don’t remember such a big levaya in bp for years… Should he rest in peace… Should he be a meilitz yoisher for all of us…

    Yitzchok
    Yitzchok
    12 years ago

    What else is there to say? Look at the medrash on the posuk Vayidom Aharon, after the deaths of his two sons. Sometimes, the silence screams louder then anything..

    KVETCH
    KVETCH
    12 years ago

    why is this death call dying “al kidush hashem” if anything the murder by a yid is the bigest chillul hashem. (the fact that kllal yisroel searched & mourned together has nothing to do with his avtual death .thay is a seperate kiddush hashem)

    stamm
    stamm
    12 years ago

    Leiby is obviously a tsaddik. Why else would Hashem orchestrate such a levayaI and hopefully his parents will find nechomo in that they had the zechus to have him.
    so difficult to absorb!!!

    Insider
    Insider
    12 years ago

    This cannot pass quietly. Our children have to be protected – from molestors, murderers, evildoers. Never again can we allow a molestor to get a pass. Every single last one must be reported – immediately reported, or more children will meet a terrible fate and we collectively will have to go through this terrible ordeal, haShem yerachem. No negotiations.

    Goldy
    Goldy
    12 years ago

    The last pasuk of last week’s haftarah (Parshas Balak) reads: “He has told you, O man, what is good! What does Hashem require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your G-d?” (Micah, 6:8). We accomplished this during this tragedy, and now let us continue this until Mashiach comes. Let this be “Leiby’s Legacy” to all of us.

    RebKlemson
    RebKlemson
    12 years ago

    was there any speech in english? I left after 3 yiddish ones because I couldnt understand anything

    no1jew
    no1jew
    12 years ago

    hamakom yenachem eschem besoch sha’r avelei tzion v’yerushalayim vlo sosifu l’da’ava oid.
    hashem yinkom damo

    12 years ago

    I will be clipping 1:58 to 2:05 and replay it over and over to myself, “We don’t have to rationalize God’s plan; God is our father, God is our king, he knows best whats good for us”

    5TResident
    Noble Member
    5TResident
    12 years ago

    Horrible Horrible HORRIBLE HORRIBLE…I am crying just looking at these pictures. No 8 year old boy has any business being in a casket!! And no innocent little boy has any business to die such an awful death…

    Yet I am proud of one thing…of all the thousands who attended the levaya, I am sure the NYPD did not have to make a single arrest or have any trouble with anyone…mi k’amcha Yisroel…

    Butterfly
    Butterfly
    12 years ago

    This means the yeshivas have to allow fingerprinting all employees!!

    MaryO
    MaryO
    12 years ago

    Is there somewhere non-Jews can contribute in memory of Leiby, or to help his family?

    12 years ago

    The pain may never go away but at least the parents can be comforted that they have the support of the entire community.
    My mother was killed when I was 14 in a car accident. The pain was horrible . These people must pray to Hashem for strength and guidance. Only Hashem knows why this happened . Terrible things happen to good people . King David asked that question. The hidden things are with Hashem. Hashem have pity with your nation who loves you .

    Mikerose
    Mikerose
    12 years ago

    As Harav Binyomin Eisenberger mentioned- Leiby was like the “broken luchos ” to us in the uron & 2 things we should take with us -which this tragedy brought on– deeper concentration   tefiloh just like while we davened for his recovery -nothing disturbed us and the achdoss while the search was going on -no 1 cared who you are – what’s your name – who u belonged too -continue with the achdoss -if u didn’t hear the hesped -Try finding it -the way he read leiby’s report card to all of us was HEART Breaking the story with the weekly git shabbos-no words

    Mrs_Boro_Parker
    Mrs_Boro_Parker
    12 years ago

    Maryo, every good deed u do like helping out another person; a stranger anyone should be done in merit of the memory of Leiby. Perhaps even a nice letter of condolences to his parents

    marcia
    marcia
    12 years ago

    What about his siblings, friends, fellow campers, school mates? We discuss and decipher the WHY about a demented and evil act like this…should the children be a part of the services too? Don’ t THEY need to understand,comprehend and be brought into the circle of family and community?

    MaryO
    MaryO
    12 years ago

    Thanks, all. I will certainly do a good deed in Leiby’s memory. Is there a chevra kadisha I can donate to? I don’t have much money, but it seems appropriate.

    leib922
    leib922
    12 years ago

    Can someone please post a translation of last night’s hespeidim? Thank you.

    HeshyR
    HeshyR
    12 years ago

    One of the things mentioned repeatedly, in the hespedim and elsewhere, is the importance of taking on a new mitzvah in Leiby’s memory. The theme of Achdus was brought up many times as well. Therefore, I propose that every Yid take on the mitzvah of Ve’ahavta Lerayacha Kamocha and, come this Shabbos and for every Shabbos afterward, make it your business to say “Good Shabbos” to every Yid you pass on the street, whether you know them personally or not, and not just walk by with a thousand-yard look in your eyes. Is that too much to ask? This is particularly a problem in Brooklyn but I have seen it creep up elsewhere. Let’s put an end to this alienation amongst ourselves, and then perhaps we won’t feel like Hashem is alienating Himself from us!

    NotSure
    NotSure
    12 years ago

    Thanks for the pictures, It’s important.

    boroparkermom
    boroparkermom
    12 years ago

    i wasn’t at the levaye yet looking at these pictures makes me cry and daven to hashem he should give the family strength! i cannot even fathom the parents grief. it is a real tragedy!!! hamokom yinacheim….

    itzik18
    itzik18
    12 years ago

    in the picture with Dov Hikind you can also see Rav MD Unger of Bobov, shlit”a

    josebar
    josebar
    12 years ago

    Levi Ahron Yemach shemo Vezichro l’ad ulalmay almaya They say its only second degree murder b/c hes scyso and will spend the rest of his lise in an insane asylum . If they put him im jail one day the comvicts will take care of him chad shtayim. dovar yduah

    yidelle
    yidelle
    12 years ago

    It was real interesthing how the satmar guys came to the levia with the kaftins with shtrimel in hand

    Uknown
    Uknown
    12 years ago

    You can download the Entire Levaye   Uvlechtechu Baderech website http://www.eshiur.org here
    http://www.eshiur.org/product/-9985/en/
    Or the Drushes Hisorerus by Nickelsburg Rebbe Shlite
    http://www.eshiur.org/product/–9984/en/

    mina77
    mina77
    12 years ago

    Im still in disbelieve and shocked from this TERRIBLE HORRIFYING TRAGEDY. since tuesday morning when i heard the heartbreaking news and was given the SHOMRIM report with leiby’s ZL” picture I couldn’t stop looking at his sweet innocent face and think about what his parents are going trough.I felt right the way connected like he was 1 of my own. I couldn’t stop listening to the news talking to my friends how to explain that to our children and of course continue davening.Trough the night I couldn’t sleep and I knew i wasn’t the only one.but in the early morning when the terrible news came in I broke down crying and screaming “OY OY RIBONE SHEL OLEM LEIBY NESHAMALE OY “.while Im holding his picture in my hands. After watchig the levaya and listening to the hespeidim specialy the father of leiby ZL” the pain that we all felt and still feel is to big to express in words, imagine what does his parents and family feel.I hope that many people will go to be menachem the family, and will take upon ourselfs a MITZVA le yilui nishmas YEHUDA BEN R’ NACHMAN ZL” ……we should continue always with ACHDUS and AHAVAS YISROEL.. .”HASHEM YISHMOR ES KOL YALDEI YISROEL VE KLAL YISROEL” .AMEIN