Waterloo, IA – A jury is seated in the trial of former Agriprocessors executive Shalom Rubashkin, but his trip to and from the courthouse will be a long one.
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Rubashkin, who was convicted of federal fraud charges and now faces misdemeanor child labor charges, was originally going to stay at the Black Hawk County Jail because it was so close to the courthouse, but his demands proved to be too excessive, so he will instead stay at the Linn County facility in Cedar Rapids.
Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson says he spent weeks preparing for Rubashkin’s stay. Rubashkin, who is a Hasidic Jew, has certain religious dietary requirements which Thompson says he met. “We certainly did our homework and asked our food vendor to do their homework,” Sheriff Thompson says, “They’re headquartered in Minneapolis, so they got in touch with a synagogue out there and discussed specifically about Hasidic Judaism and what their needs and requirements would be.”
But Thompson says that wasn’t good enough for Rubashkin. “And he looked very blandly at us and said ‘I’ll not eat what you prepared. I will tell you what I am going to eat.’ So right off the bat we knew we had a bit of an issue with him,” the sheriff says.
The demands didn’t stop there, the sheriff says. Rubashkin had to be carried everywhere he went because he refused to walk without his sacred undergarments. Thompson eventually let him have those, but refused to allow a chest full of robes and leather straps that were potentially dangerous.
“For me to kowtow to one inmate’s, uh, I hate to call them needs. I think I’m gonna call them wants. For me to kowtow to an inmates wants when that inmates needs were planned for; they were prepared for, they certainly could have been met, we just weren’t willing or ready to travel down that road.”
Rubashkin is expected to face 25 years to life when he’s sentenced on the federal charges on May 28th.
lets contact this sheriff and expain him our needs
“Sheriff Tony Thompson”:
” refused to allow a chest full of robes and leather straps that were potentially dangerous”.
That is Anti-Smetisim: Not allowing somebody his talit/tefillin? And bragging/complaining about it in the newspaper? In America? Read the disgusting comments on the original website of this story.
Now this world is so screwed up, I’m sure vosizneiash will have all the farhtunken/farbissen-yidden comment that rubashkin is causing a chilul hashem.
This is Talis/Tefilling/Tzizis we are talking about. Wake up raboisa!!!
Like the old Israeli song: “United we will stand, divided we will fall. Zeh Hakol”
But if he was am muslim yemach sh’mom they would allow them a koran & magoc carpet without batting an eyelash!!
so he does not want to let him put on the leather strap (tefilin?)
Hard to believe this could be happening in der goldene medina.
What a load of bs…the nazis over there beat him and starved him bc he’s jewish!
Great Kiddush Hashem refused to eat Chalov Stam Or Plain Ou Meat why shouldn’t he deserve to get food with high standard kashrus just like all chasdish inmate in Upsate NY?
Tell the Sheriff that alll Jewish Immates in Federal/State Prison are allowed to wear a Yarmulke, Talus Kuton and to put onTefilin every weekday, Inmates Do Have Rights
Ignorant Sheriff does not and probably never will understand kashrus, hechsherim, tzitzis, tefillin,
Tony Thompson proves why the mitzvah of pidyan shevuim applies to all Jews.
Being allowed a Yarmulke, Talis/Tefilin and Kosher Food that’s approved by the Inmates Rabbi is a RIGHT NOT a NEED, Sheriff, this is the USA Not the Soviet Union.
When the Frierdike Rebbe sat in Shpalerka prison in 1920s awaiting firing squad R”L, the NKVD gave him his tfill’n (not without a fight but in the end they did). But for this redneck with 2 months total education on the other hand it’s too much of a “want” to grant a Jew a chance to don his tfill’n… This gives “Amerike is nisht andersh” a whole new meaning…Nu, may this sheigetz and all his buddies, offspring v’chu, v’chu receive their just reward from HKB”H. And R’ Sholom Mordche will have a complete yeshuoh b’koroiv. L’chayim!
SMR, DONT BE STUPID! YOUR ARROGANCE IS WHAT GOT YOU IN TO DEEPER TROUBLE THEN YOU ALREADY WERE IN . THERE IS a WAY TO ASK AND YOU CHOSE TO BE DEMANDING AND ARROGANT. YOUR DIGGING YOUR HOLE DEEPER AND YOU ARE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR OTHER YIDDEN WHO ARE ALREADY SERVING TIME IN JAIL INCLUDING INMATES AT OTISVILLE!
even in Japan they let the boys have their tfillin, they would bring it in for them every day and then take it back when done! look how backwards this all is!
I’m crying for SMR. But if its true that the way they are demanding the tefillen etc. In a very demannding harsh way, then mabey they should try a softer, mit tachninem, approach. Us yiddelech know this allready, lieder, the prison system can do with you pretty much whatever they want, but with much shtadlanis, they become more attoned and softer to the yiddishe needs , unless your going to make a case every 5 minutes. Hashem should help him mit a gantze yeshoah!
The fact is this country has laws which govern things like this. You can argue all you want about what they should or shouldnt be allowed but the law says they are.
We shouldn’t be ready to believe every report that comes out of a goyishe news source. We are probably hearing less than 1/2 the story. By the time the prisoner responded with arrogance he had probably been beaten and abused.
did anyone think that the food was not sealed at all and was questionable without any kosher symbols. You would eat it?
I unfortunately know a yid who ended sitting in a jail out of NY area rachmana litzlan, you have no idea the lack thereof educational and tolerance of the prison wardens and guards, these a really simple people who couldn’t get a job at the post office!!
the general world is watching…. are Jews willing to throw their brother who has made mistakes to the dogs. this is just the beginning. everybody knows divide and conquer.
Why can’t u smother somebody w/ a carpet? although I doubt they actually distribute carpets to Muslim inmates.
SMR needs this arrogance to keep him alive in prison. This is survival in that hell hole. Don’t judge him if he wouldn’t put up this type of fight. He would die. Only people who sat in jail in this part of the country next to white supremacists, nazi sympathizers, KKK, two percenters etc. Can know what he’s going through.
If someone would be tuning in from Iowa, they’d be more inclined to think that we are extremely ignorant and not they. The way some of you structure your sentences and spell, is mamesh a shanda. Why don’t you go and take an English class or consult a dictionary. People tune in here….everything is public….don’t you see….the infighting, the disagreements…how do you think we look to the outside world? And if you want to bashmutz SMR for whatever reason, please….don’t do it here….a bisel rachmunos far a yid. Unity in action, Rebbonoi Shel Oilem! None of us are perfect….we need each other!!!!
Achdus…klal yisroed…achdus…”LET’S GET TOGETHER”…like R. Amnon Yitzchok says…’LETS GET TOGETHER.’ Ois tzi leizen dem yid!
Let us all hope and pray that people reading these comments don’t think that there are more than a handful of retards out here who agree with the horrible comments made against the prison authorities and agaiinst the USA in general.
I love this country no matter what it’s faults, and as a Jew I owe this country more than I can repay.
Take all your disgusting comments about this country to the other people who hate this country – the Muslim Taliban and Al Qaida.
Ah Gutten Shabbos
I resent #29 ’s remarks when he stated that “I was born in Monmouth County, N.J., close to where you invade, and try to take over for the summer”. In other words “you people are not welcome here”. There was a time not too long ago that similar notices would appear in newspapers, that Jews were not welcome at certain resorts, or should not apply for certain jobs. Regarding Mr. Rubashkin, the continued loshon hora which has appeared on this site, must stop. His current trial in an Iowa state court, is for violations of state laws, which are totally distinct from his recent trial in federal court. Everyone can do their best to help Mr. Rubashkin by:
a) not sending any letters to the sentencing judge in this case; she has already received enlough letters, and they are not going to help one iota; b) everyone should refrain from making derogatory remarks about Mr. Rubashkin, and about the Government’s prosecution of this case. Some of the charges and counter charges, which have appeared in print regarding this case by supporters are totally malicious and false.
You sit back on your leather couch in your air conditioned living room and throw your two-cents about how Mr. Rubaskin should behave. Do you have a fraction of a idea what Mr. Rubaskin is going through? Do you have an idea what physical and mental torture he is going through? Do you really think he doesn’t know what is ahead of him? I’m also under the impression that most people don’t seem to realize that Mr. Rubashkin is a Lubavitcher chosid. Lubavitcher chadim don’t negotiate on their Yiddishkiet ‘ki hu ze’ – it’s in their blood – its what their father’s and grandfathers. It’s the chinuch the receive growing up. Please, think before you post!
Jews that are situatated in high positions like Mayor Bloomberg can inform and influence the county court to allow the sherriff to hold Mr. Rubashkin’s Tallis and Tefillen in a seperate secure area and when he needs his tallis and teffilin he could be allowed to be put them on under supervision in a seperate cell.
TO COMMENT #47 ,one of the most intelligent comments so far. Thank you I feel the same way I cant believe another frum website actually posted some comments calling for death to the judge and the prosecutor. Dont they know it is against the alw to threaten a judge and a federal prosecutor?
may Hashem help SMR. wow, i admire his mesiras nefesh! how many of us would be so strong…?
None of you critics (or any jew for that matter) should ever be in Rubashkins shoes.
dont believe everything u hear from the media, Rubashkin has proven to be a mentsch with authorities all along, he has his rights and he should get them and NOW
hes been dealing with anti semites for over a year now in prison and i thik he’s had it with them. look at his face SHolom Mordechai got sick over this im a close friend of his and i cant take looking at his current picture, i hardly recognize him.
im not the one to say how to deal with this, there are professionals dealing with it – all i could say, another kapital tehillim will always help for Sholom Mordechai ben Rivkah
And all your critics – think before you weite your foolish comments – he is a cahsiddishe yid and wants to (and has the rights) remain that way even in jail – respect him for it !!
he should demnand anything he needs and and deserves, and we shoud ALL support him all the way through.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hashem yerachem alov!
While it would be wonderful to see Jewish inmates given full right to practice all religious requirements, the prison system is not required to do that. The prison system is allowed to restrict religious practice wherever they deem it necessary for the running of the prison. While all inmates are allowed to believe in whatever religion they choose and the prison cannot force religious conversion or prohibit someone from professing a certain religion, the prison wardens are not obligated to provide for all forms of worship. It would be wise for those who think that prisoners have religious “rights” to find out what rights exist in jail. If we Jews value our religious freedom, we should do our best to obey the law.
I hope that SMR is soon released and wish him all the best and daven for him to be reunited with his family. I am a supporter of his but unfortunately prisons do get away with removing religious rights. Hopefully the lawyers can work out for SMR that his religious rights are granted while he is in prison. It certainly can be worked out for him.
Honorable Judge Callahan,
I read with interest the news article where you were quoted “I’m not trying to be disrespectful of anybody’s religious traditions or beliefs,” he said.“But I’m not derailing this proceeding because of his choice.”.
I also read a quote from Sheriff Thompson “For me to kowtow to one inmate’s, uh, I hate to call them needs. I think I’m gonna call them wants”.
Please allow me to share some thoughts that may shed light on Mr. Rubashkin “choices” & “wants”.
The things Sholom Rubashkin is asking for are religious obligations given by God directly to the entire Jewish nations approximately 3300 years ago (1400 BCE) – the revelation at Mt. Sinai.
Jewish people have been keeping these precepts, commandments and customs since Moses.
Throughout the ages – especially the last 1900 years or so – the Jewish people were severely persecuted by many nations, in many instances, they were given the “choice” to either adopt the religion practices by most others, or they will be expelled from their country’s (where they lived for hundreds of years) and would have to leave behind all their possessions, property’s and money.
In many other instances, they were offered
And when he demands a nusach ari minyan in Ottisville? Is that a need or a want?
I can understand both sides. The government is only required by law to go so far. Where is that point? Should he be allowed a gartel? What about a frock for shabbos? Or, for a real machmir who only trusts his own rebbeh’s hechsher, must they provide it to him? Must they build a mikveh for him to use before davening? What about a person who says he can’t daven in a minyan where they don’t say the tefila for medinas yisrael? Does they need to arrange a special place for those people if there are ten of them? And re-plan the prison menu because according to some people fish is now treif?
Must they allow real wine for kiddush? What about mashkah for a farbraing or a tish?
Without offering an opinion on this, I ask you, at what point can the DOC say ‘sorry, we’ve done all we can do within the system’?
B”H
anyone who doesn’t get this is unfortunaley experiencing a spiritua discnnect
if u can’t understand mesiros nefesh to put on talis kotton and tefillin then you should have them chhecked to make sure they are kosher.(your own) keep in mind lubavitchers are known to be required to wear only wool tzitiz. no matter how hot etc they have mesiros nefesh and wear wool not cotton.
lubavitchers have mesiros nefesh for all jewish prisoners… lubavitchers know mre about mesiros nefesh then anyone…
smr is right and in the end he got what he is entitled to… not asking for favors…what he is entitled to
pleaswe yidden if u don’t get it then imagine CH”VS your rabbi your rav yoour Gadol was CH”VS locked up for a day or a week would he eat traif? would he eat conservative kosher hecksher? would he demand tefillin and seforim if they are withheld?
ask alef insitute (lubav org that works with all jewish prisoners in us) the problems that exist in jails in US
not all based on antisemitism… but the arrogance of jailers is notorious.
they r very tough (need to be) and do no favors.
I am related to retired warden and I know he felt prisoners r in jail and have no rights and that’s life.
Ms. Belsky stated: “He didn’t murder anyone; he only falsified invoices”. Ms. Belsky, does that make the crimes Kosher? Please!! The best and most intelligent posts on this board came from “Bewhiskered”. I’d like to wish Bewhiskered a hearty Yasha Koach for his well thought out, logical, reasonable, and well written posts (I really mean that).
An ehrlicher Yid is ;one who obeys the laws of Hashem and the laws of the Land . It’s not -either-or- Mr Rubashkin ,to our great sorrow , disobeyed the Laws of Hashem ,by not obeying the Laws of the Land .He , made a choice and hopefully the punishment will , I”YH , be not severe .I, pray for him .
Mr. Rubashkin , would be well advised to refrain from playing the game of a martyr .The Govrnment is too smart for that .
My father AH told me a story when I was young, about someone who came to a great rav (I wish I remember who it was) in the 60’s or ’70s crying about some heimishe guy who was in jail and wanted to mobilize the entire community on his behalf… The rav said and I quote… “Er hut giganvet ? Luz er zitzen “
RE to # 96 . You don’t remember the name of the Rav . You don’t remember if it was in the 60’s or the 70’s . Well , i think you lost your memory .