Battle for Rubashkin Continues

By COLlive reporter
Photos by Baruch Ezagui

A federal appeals court might have denied Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin‘s request for a new trial, but his supporters around the U.S. and the world are vouching they will not give up.

“Truly, the Rubashkin Case has made a thorough mockery of our justice system. And it’s a wrong that begs to be righted,” Daniel Perez, news editor of the Jewish Voice, wrote in a recent op-ed.

Rubashkin, 51, was convicted in 2009 of 86 federal fraud charges, which led to a 27-year prison sentence. Judge Linda Reade was found to have cooperated closely with prosecutors against him.

His wife and partner in charity, Leah Rubashkin currently tops the Jewish Community Heroes contest for “working to make the world a better place.” (Vote here)

Another effort was concluded on Sunday, September 25, in the hipster and artsy section of the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, in an event that gathered 300 men, women and children.

Businessman Mendy Chudaitov, whose sister is married to Rubashkin’s son, commissioned the writing of the Torah (approximately $25,000) in merit of the imprisoned chossid.

Chudaitov said he took upon himself to do something spiritual for Rubashkin and donated the Torah to the shul he went to when living in Williamsburg.

Members and friends of Chabad of North Brooklyn were invited to take part in writing the final letters in the scroll, under the watchful eyes of the sofer stam Rabbi Yaacov Banon, before heading to the street for a procession that included song and dance.

Leading the parade were the Rebbe’s Mazkir Rabbi Leibel Groner, founder of the Chabad House and Mashpia in Oholei Torah Rabbi Kuti Feldman, and the director Rabbi Shmuly Lein.

“The street was dancing, everyone participated, everyone smiling, everyone was happy and there was lots of Jewish pride,” Lein told the Greenpoint Gazette.