By Eli Cohen and Isaac Abraham August – NY Post
It’s exactly what the community needs
Twenty-five years ago, Crown Heights was in turmoil. A child — 7-year-old Gavin Cato — had died in tragic circumstances, an automobile accident.
Rumors abounded and inflamed passions lit by incendiary expressions of hate led to the murder of an innocent young man, 29-year-old Yankel Rosenbaum, stabbed and beaten to death.
A quarter-century later, Crown Heights commemorates those difficult moments with a solemn memorial of the past, consisting of reflection and prayer, and an enthusiastic celebration of the future, replete with multi-ethnic music and food, activities for children and attractions for the whole family.
Some are upset that the commemoration and the celebration have been joined together into one day of activity. The pain of the Rosenbaum family at this time is understandable and no words of comfort can completely erase that hurt.
But for the community, and especially for the children, the message of the day is too important to pass over.
On a day when the media will naturally paint a negative picture of tension and unrest, a coalition of groups and officials that represents the whole spectrum of the residents of Crown Heights is coming together to tell its own story — the story of a community that has matured, has tried to understand its differences and to live together.
On Aug. 21 at Brower Park, Crown Heights in all its multicultural splendor will be there: the food, the people, the music.
It is our hope that every Crown Heights resident will want to be there: to share, to be uplifted and, yes, to enjoy.
The children, who cannot sit through an hour of speeches, will nevertheless absorb through play and music the spirit of togetherness that Crown Heights has begun to symbolize, and this spirit will serve as the greatest tribute to the memory of Yankel Rosenbaum and Gavin Cato.
Eli Cohen is the executive director of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council.
It’s offensive to the victims of the riots
Friday is the 25th anniversary of the outbreak of the Crown Heights riots, or as referred to at the time by Mayor Ed Koch, the Crown Heights pogrom. The violence, lasting over three days, was unmistakably anti-Semitic and physically vicious.
And it was murderous, too: Yankel Rosenbaum was attacked amidst calls of “Kill the Jew!”
In the 25 years since, much has been written and spoken about those riots — particularly the lawlessness, the ineptitude of Mayor David Dinkins and his administration, the restraining of the cops on the streets, the endangerment of the community and the injustice of it all.
It simply should not have happened and could have been prevented by the police, had they been permitted to do their jobs.
The intellectually dishonest narrative that quickly emerged was that some underlying but never identified racial tension between the African-American and Jewish segments of the Crown Heights community had erupted into the riots.
It’s a lie.
The truth: A tragic car accident was perverted by bigots to justify the unprovoked murder of Yankel Rosenbaum because he was a Jew. Over the last 25 years, community leaders have chosen to ignore this terrible but fundamental and undeniable truth to the detriment of us all.
The 25th anniversary of Yankel’s murder deserves solemn commemoration. The decision to hold a neighborhood festival, replete with games, music, rides, arts and crafts, live entertainment and (non-kosher) food is disrespectful and totally misplaced. It does absolutely nothing to honor Yankel’s memory or the truth of the riots.
But this isn’t surprising, since the advertising for the festival doesn’t even mention Yankel. It does mention a commemoration ceremony to take place as part of the festival — but not for what or for whom. The mass forgetting continues.
Isaac Abraham has represented the Rosenbaum family for the last 25 years.
I think there possibly was something for the 10th anniversary of the riots but it more subdued then what is currently planned. Not sure it’s the appropriate way to observe the occasion.
There are reasons why we don’t eat Pas Akum, or Chalav Akum.
And attending this “festival” will violate a lot of those reasons.
Jews wake up!
This “festival” is in terrible taste, and should be boycotted by EVERY human – man, woman or child in CH – Black and white or brown, yellow or olive – Jew, non-Jew.
Please don’t go – it’s the least we can do to comfort Norman Rosenbaum and his parents over this tragic cover-up of a cold blooded, hot tempered murder of Yankel HY”D
Because this is such a raw point in so many of us any institution that is started in his memory would be funded in a second if anyone remembers that is how we have the jewish children’s museum today- may we never have anymore suffering to add in good we should we only good in our personal lives and the lives of all mankind
“On August 19, 2001, a street fair was held in memory of Cato and Rosenbaum, and their relatives met and exchanged mementos of hopes of healing in Crown Heights.” Does anyone remember this?
Put all our energy in finishing the work as the Rebbe instructed, have emunah and most of all be b’simcha no matter what.
When are some people going to realize that they are living in an ethereal world. Peace, communication, building bridges, etc. , these are all unrealistic hopes that are at the best verbages for those community leaders,activists, and such that are seeking to promote themselves in the media. As a resident of Crown Heights for over sixty years, and having witnessed Crown Heights from it’s glorious era of the 50’s, spiral down to it’s dismal era of the 60’s, and then rise back to it’s glory of today, I have seen it all. The false hope of true peace is about… Read more »
Thank you to everyone who made it possible, and shame on the racists in my community. And yasher koach to Boruch Hoffinger. I have no doubt that if we would all put as much energy into the Rebbe’s inyanim as Reb Boruch puts into sheva mitzvos mivtzoim, Moshiach would have come a long time ago.
the rebbe’s answer to all pain and suffering was to add in good- maybe there could be more tzidakah or mosdos done for his yartzait it would give nechama for the family and give him an aliyas neshama
Please stop praising yourself and being an apologist for the out-of-touch so called JCC leaders. I also was in town during the crazy week of the pogrom. I had stones thrown at my vehicle while driving up Brooklyn ave. I remember it very well. You tried to make many points, BUT: a) You can talk to your neighbors day and night but everyone knows by now that the hulligans and rioters were mostly from outside our community and the locals did not stop them. b) Hofinger and others who try to teach them 7NL are waisting their breath. These people… Read more »
A Sefer Torah celebration to honor his life is ONLY appropriate .
Do open a small memorial complex to remind that we will never forgot ….
Pogrome , death can’t be a fun day – it’s not an example of Jewish kids education
Do something beneficial : clean the park , plant trees together as a sign of co-existence….
They were murdered by others and now your are rewarding them with a fun day for their bad behavior?
Where is the common sense here
I keep hearing how the community has healed and the relationships have been built, but I’m not seeing it. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t here before to compare. As one who moved to crown heights 10 years ago, I am still astounded and frightened by the animosity the local black community seems to have towards the Jewish community.
I almost vomited reading your comment. You wrote: “one of the things that led to the tensions in the neighborhood was a lack of communication with our neighbors.” Maybe you don’t realize it, but you are blaming the victim. The Jews were not under any obligation to communicate with the Black community, and vice versa. We don’t deserve to have our property destroyed, and our people beaten and murdered for “not communicating”. This is Leftist lunacy and sick, twisted logic. Furthermore, 90% of the rioters came from OUTSIDE the community, with the intent to destroy and cause hurt. Jewish people,… Read more »
# 40 has made worthwhile points that hitherto had not been expressed anywhere. Worth considering.
One idea WE can do is have 500 of OUR community wear black T shirts at this event with white lettering saying “in memory of Yankel”. If someone wants to set this up, I will co sponsor the shirts.
We do agree there should be an observance of 25 anniversary of the pogram & the car accident resulting in the death of Gavin Cato. It’s just the difference on how to commemorate it. So please excuse us if most of the victims don’t participate.
3 deaths, 2 of them murders(1a Jew the other only assumed to be one), 1 suicide( an older woman terrorized by riots outside her home), countless assaults & injuries, tremendous property damage. All sustained by the Jewish community singularly. This was not flare up contributed by 2 different sides. There were Jewish victims and the terrorizing mob. It was very one sided. The very tragic car accident can not equal the enormous harm and suffering to the Jewish community that followed. A Rabbi was killed in a car accident, by a Black man last year. Would it be normal to… Read more »
seems that the people who purportedly represent the community, may not be in touch with the community. that said, i’m not sure there is one community amongst jews, let alone, amongst all residents nothing the blocks legally designated as crown heights. but me thinks that the promoted of thios event don’t really have any community in mind, per se. it’s self serviing the politicians who want to look like things are all hunky dory and money given to repair rifts are well spent. there are still issues. celebrating as if there are no issues seems head-in-the-sand-ish. you can make a… Read more »
Clearly most people who have commented are against the way the 25th year anniversary of 1991, has been advertised. I understand there is a lot of animosity in the community in remembering this tragic and horrific week of 1991. But there is another viewpoint if you will allow me. I am one of those who actually lived in the radius of the accident as it unfolded and had to cower in my home not knowing if we were coming or going. No cell phones or internet to keep us posted. Just sit and wait it out till the morning and… Read more »
Yossi stern ,I couldn’t agree with you more!
#37 is absolutely correct on all of the points.
This is ill conceived, shameful and tragic.
No.
I want to add my voice. No. Do not denigrate history, do not butcher the truth, do not obfuscate the obvious. This is a whitewash, plain and simple. And what a whitewash! With a common carnival with non-Kosher food and music. I remember those horrible days in Crown Heights. They are seared into my consciousness and my memory. They were dark, dark days, horrible and frightening. I was but a newly wed young 21 year old woman, calling 9-11 as the thugs broke and burnt everything in sight. And no one came. No one answered the call. In the morning,… Read more »
#25
The festivities are not to nullify the tragedies, but to support & enhance love & unity.
#23 You couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve spoken to, about, 2,000 in Crown Heights. Most of the responses to ‘The Wisdom of Aleph Beit,’ & Noahide Laws were very friendly. I’ve walked many blocks in many directions at different times of day. (Not nighttime.)
You are erroneously categorizing our Black neighbors.
I’ve suffered emotionally & financially from Jews in this neighborhood..painful and ugly.
Send me an email for details. I had a ‘beis din’ with a Jewish org.
If a Jew, love ‘goyim’ his prayers are answered faster. The Rebbe, loved everyone.
bvhoffinger@gmail.com
What have the Rabbonim to say about this?
#24 who are you? Why are you afraid to post your name?
You said: “You keep pushing the argument that to solve all of the world’s problems, simply teach the 7 Noahide Laws to the gentiles, ”
This is not my idea, but the Rebbe’, the Torah’ The Rebbe said that, during WWII (before also) the effects of ‘The Holocaust’ would have been much reduced if ‘The Noahide Laws’ were taught.
Read ‘To Perfect the World.’ It’s a responsibility of all Jews to teach these laws to non-Jews, according to Rambam. Hilchos Melachim (forgot chapter..no time…leaving.).
A Sefer Torah-EXCELLENT idea. For those who are reading this both Jewish and non Jewish, who feel that the Jewish community is being too “harsh” for those who choose not to attend, and have the attitude that “time heals all wounds” , for Yankels family , there can never be closure or full happiness because someone very important in their lives is missing an they can’t get it back. This case is not “closed” because you can’t ever close your little boy. Think for a brief but painful second if it was G-D forbid YOUR child who was murdered in… Read more »
All “Frum” families in CH should boycott this event, have nothing to do with it, don’t even pay attention to it, make like it’s not even happening, it will show the CHJCC, that we mean business, “We have Never Forgotten Yankel HY”D & Never Will” This whole event is a disgrace to his name & Family, both my Grandparents A”H were Auschwitz Survivors, do u think they would ever go 2 Germany & say “Hey let go & make a Party with Germans celebrating that we now get along & there is Peace between us” Are u Serious ? They… Read more »
How incensitive and callous Mr. Cohen comes off in his article. A kadosh like Yankel HY”D who was murdered by thugs is thrown in together in the same sentence with a black child who was killed in an accident. Cohen is blind to the giant separation that must be present when talking about these two events. Cohen is telling us to bring the children “to absorb the speeches…play…music…” . What kind of chinuch is this? Mingle with the goyim and learn from them? What about all the dinim we have that are specifically made to make sure we stay separated… Read more »
This is so wrong! 1-Moral equivalency between a horrific lynching and murder, a pogrom and the devastation of an entire community and a tragic car accident. Wrong, wrong, wrong. 2-Commemoration, not through an event of introspection, reflection and spirituality, but through the levity and foolishness that will need to nothing positive for anyone. 3- Calling upon the community to attend a festival with non-kosher food and music is reprehensible. What has happened to the spiritual leadership? Is this not as serious as a Halachically weak Eruv? Is this not like the feast of Ahashverosh? What gives? Where have the sane… Read more »
what are we celebrating exactly? look at the video from two days ago how does black kids mug thebochur on eastern parkway, do you really think they like us suddenly? or the ones that still the packages from the porches or braking into cars at night? what are we celebraing, i was at the meeting in NCFJE where dinkins said let them vent thier anger, just because some politicians have a agenda no celebrating, i was there, saw the hate, saw rosenbaum being taken by hatzolh, listned to the highway patrol cops say if they let us we would finish… Read more »
I respect the fact we may have a difference of opinion. My opinion is, there is nothing to celebrate about a tragedy in which a young black kid was killed by an ACCIDENT and a young jewish man was MURDERED!. There is nothing to celebrate with a mayor who ordered his police force to “stand down”. There is nothing to celebrate with sharpton may he drop dead for instigating the violence on our community. There is nothing to celebrate with a community terrorized by thousands of black thugs, who mostly had nothing to do with the incident, nor did they… Read more »
As everyone already said I too am hurt about this festival and absolutely agree with Norman Rosenbaum, but the tragedy is so much more painful when the anouncement “happily” lets us know that along with the music and live entertainment, kosher and non kosher food will be available! (I guess we must pray that the Jewish children joining do not crave or eat the non kosher but what to do about the shared unifying music and entertainment? But then again they should be careful not to offend by refusing the non jewish choice and offers of food etc.) Is this… Read more »
It appears to me you are mixing apples to oranges,
Mitvzoyim and teaching about the 7 laws is great. A “festival” with music on the day of yartzeit/murder/progrom is inappropriate.
Make a festival promoting racial harmony at a different time. Also , das Torah should certainly be consulted about any event asking Yiddin to attend where there are items pointed out very well by comment #4 ( music , food).
You keep pushing the argument that to solve all of the world’s problems, simply teach the 7 Noahide Laws to the gentiles, and then everyone will sing and dance Kumbaya. I wonder if you would be making the same argument had you lived in Russia during the pogrom era, or in Germany during Hitler’s regime. Why not just teach the Nazis about the 7 Noahide Laws, and then suddenly we will all be one happy family, right? I mean, I’m sure they only rounded up millions of Jews and sent them to be gassed and cremated because of a simple… Read more »
By mixing us together, you are saying we were both wrong and now we got past it! They, (the goyim) should do something for us and apologize and at least make an effort to humanize themselves, instead were just gonna give them a bunch of watermelons and fried chicken to lure them in to the street, and make them look harmless… yeah, if I was near a lion and someone was feeding it it’s favorite foods, I wouldn’t be that scared of it… but all ready that night when their hungry again and not just for food but for what/who… Read more »
Yossi Stern, why a somber ceremony? Why not unity & joy with understanding the tragic events? ‘Serve G-d With Joy’ is a ‘mitzvah.’ Spreading the knowledge of ‘The 7 Noahide Laws’ would be a fitting tribute to those tragic times. America should know that evil behavior resulted in ‘911.’ Does America want more? America should know that this great ‘Democracy’ of there’s (Not Jewish/Torah) is NOT SO GREAT! There’s too much freedom in this country. Dinkins worshiped at a Baptist Church & Limerick Nelson was the alter boy at the same church. Do they teach hatred there? So we clearly… Read more »
Do not make statements without fact. The amount was much less than half of that and a sizable portion went to the lawyers that handled the case for the community..
# 8 you are immature: Attack & Run. There is a ‘commemoration ceremony’ and this day all those capable will understand what happened and what we are doing. This is also a unifier of the community, to whatever degree.
i think eli cohen’s article demonstrates just how out of touch he and his organization are from the people they supposedly represent. i don’t remember anyone asking my opinion whether this event is a good idea or not. does anyone else in the community remember getting asked about this?
i’ve been waiting 25 years for the police and the politicians and the Jewish Federation types to admit that this was a Pogrom, and to issue unequivocal apologies for blaming the Jewish victims and for failing to protect us.
i suggest a boycott of this event.
Dear #2, (& similar), The problem with Jew like you is you like to ambush other Jews. You criticize but hide behind a bush. The poster says ‘Commemoration Ceremony.’ Three people tragically died during those three & 1/2 horrible days: A woman jumped to her death from 1650 President St. (Off Utica), thinking it was a pogrom and (Is she unimportant?) B. A bearded Italian man, mistaken for a Jew, was murdered (In essence a Jew) a week or two (3?) after ‘The First U.S. Government Supported Murder of Jews in the History of the United States,’ ‘The Goldener Medina.’… Read more »
I’m relieved to see trough the comments that those who went through the riots have not forgotten. The Crown heights Jewish community suffered during the riots and have no obligation to party on its “anniversary”. The only thing this party serves to do is pour salt on the wounds-. Officials then did not validate the problem and bring help- & officials today (including Jewish) continue to deny the truth of what went down. For one: Just stop saying the accident of the boy and the murder of R’yankel in the same sentence!
Kol dmay achicha tzoakim….
Great idea!
please inform us which, if any Rav, agrees to this.
and for that matter, since it also involves children, have mechanchim been consulted. if yes – who?
the Chjcc selling out the community once again! and for what you may ask? to be able to get a picture with some low profile government official…
How sad…..
I and most of my friends will not join this celebration. Some politicians decided to have a day for pushing their agenda so they used the jcc to get the jewish residents to join. We did not forget the pogrom. We did not forget Yankel HY”D. We know that only one perp (lemerik the drek nelson) was prosecuted when there was a mod of about 15 africans attacking Yankel HY”D. Who in their right mind would want to join this celebration? They can call it any name they want. They can try to dsguise it as a day of unity… Read more »
peace?
does peace with PLO work?
the Vadd Hakall already setlled this with the city and got over $5.000.000.
not go find out where the money is.
Is it not time after 25 years!!!! to begin a REAL investigation to get the truth WHO HELD BACK the police from doing there job
leading to the killing R”L of Yankel A”h.
That would be a true tribute and something worthwhile
I am a Disappointing C.H resident who lived through the riots and saw the unfortunate mishandling of public officials
and as “nice” jews we will not talk even about it!!! shameful!!!
Maybe we invite Sharpton Yimach shmoi to join us for the picture that will surely be taken
hoe about something a lot more proactive
nothing good will happen for the kids in reference to lessons learned
to them it will just be a bunch of rides and fun in the sun
Agree. Well said!
we, the jewish people, do not need a fun day with the people who murdered yankel because he is a jew.
chevra, stay away. make a statement. do not forget and do not forgive the murder of our own
is inaction better then ignoring the issue’s? is it better to do nothing. then to do something wrong, perhaps saying next year well do a better job?
“…Crown Heights in all its multicultural splendor will be there: the food, the people, the music.”
What ever happened to jews being rewarded for not mixing with non jews??
Also i would like to know what music? Another article said kosher and non kosher food. Will there be jewish and non jewish music? highly doubt it….
This is a highly insensitive idea and horrible article! It is in such poor taste!
I hope no jews go.
Festival? What is there to celebrate? Dinkins was a ruthless animal allowing bus loads of blacks to ride up to NY. The police had their hands tied, and the community was terrorized! If anything you should have a town hall meeting, allow both communities to sit and discuss the feelings that lead to this event, what steps have been taken since the event, what we can do to further the bridge of understanding and respect between these two communities, and lastly, discuss the bigoted notions both communities continue to harbor and correct them.
Rabbi Cohen writes: this spirit will serve as the greatest tribute to the memory of Yankel Rosenbaum and Gavin Cato. The riots caused Yankel hy”d’s murder. Gain Cato’s passing was the result of a tragic accident. Equating these two incomparable circumstances is downright dishonest and morally outrageous. Gavin Cato’s death = tragic. Yankel Rosenbaum’s murder = evil and anti semitic. I’m all in for community wide reconciliation, and whole I tend to side with the Rosenbaum’s on this issue, I understand that there are those who disagree. Miscontruing the facts, and ignoring the fact that Yankee hy”d’s name isn’t even… Read more »
So heartbreaking that the Rosenbaum family has to have this rubbed into their faces. Talk about pouring salt over wounds! And to be abandoned by the community this way! Would it not have been better to have a day of Remembrance and Unity, through the CH community writing a sefer Torah. Or at the very least, a Memorial Day for the Riots? A somber ritual. Can you not make this carnival another time? Maybe on Labor day? Golus, golus, golus. The mindset of the CH leadership is so weak, so apologetic. Its really quite tragic to see it all unfold… Read more »