A short walk to temple on the Sabbath ended in tragedy for a rabbi visiting South Florida when, police said, two men shot and killed the religious leader in broad daylight, triggering outrage and calls for justice from the local Jewish community and concerned neighbors alike.
A shell casing and crime scene tape marked the area where, police said, 60-year-old Joseph Raksin was shot. According to investigators, the rabbi was walking along Northeast 175th Street and Eighth Court around 9 a.m. on Saturday when two men approached him. Police said an altercation ensued, and one of the men pulled out a gun and shot the rabbi.
An area resident said his son heard the gunshot. “He told the detectives he thought he heard one shot,” said Louis. “[He] didn’t see anything.”
Police said the subjects fled the scene, one on foot and the other one on a bicycle.
Good Samaritan Jean Louis Denis said he ran out to help Raksin as soon as he heard the gunshot. “I talked a little bit to him; he gave me his name, that he was from New York,” he said, “and he told me that two males were the people that did this.”
Raksin was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Police said Raksin was heading to Bais Menachem Chabad, a synagogue located a few blocks away, on the Sabbath, a day of religious observance for the Jewish Orthodox community.
The rabbi, who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., was in town visiting his daughter and grandchildren, who live in the neighborhood. “He came just for a vacation, just came Thursday night,” said Raksin’s daughter, Shully Lepokovski. “He came for a week’s vacation. He was going to be here a few days, then go to West Palm [Beach] to my other sister.”
For Miami-Dade’s Jewish community, the shooting marked a disturbing and heartbreaking start to Sabbath. “This has a big effect in the community,” said Joseph Waks, a friend of Raksin and his family. “A rabbi [shot] walking to temple. I’ve got two beautiful children. I walk to temple with them every Sabbath in Miami Beach. It’s devastating.”
“That’s unfortunate. It’s very sad to hear it,” said Rich, who lives near the scene of the shooting. “That’s about the most extreme thing that’s happened in the 10 years I’ve been here.”
Denis said he is saddened by the tragic outcome. “The neighborhood [is comprised of] really nice people, and I feel very, very sad that something can happen here and to people who are nice and peaceful people.”
Miami-Dade Police said the shooting does not appear to be a hate crime. However, Lepokovski vehemently disagreed with the investigators’ assessment, indicating local law enforcement has been unable to keep her neighborhood safe. “They’re not taking care of this neighborhood as much as other places, and it has to stop. It really has to stop,” said Shully Lepokovski.
Raksin’s daughter said she believes her father was targeted because of his religious affiliation. “I believe it was a hate crime,” said Lepokovski. “[He was killed] simply because he’s a Jew.”
A witness described the suspects as younger looking men, one wearing an orange shirt and the other a yellow shirt. “They do not care about the lives of other people,” said Lepokovski.
The Anti-Defamation League of Florida issued a statement expressing their condolences. It reads: “This is a terrible tragedy. While the motivation for this crime is still being investigated, nothing can justify the killing of an innocent man walking to his place of worship to pray on his holy day.”
ADL officials said they trust the Miami-Dade Police Department, and they hope they’re able to find the men responsible for Raksin’s shooting.
“There’s a really dark world out there,” said Waks. “Lighting a candle can really do a tremendous amount of good, and that’s what we are going to do in his memory and, G-d willing, we’re going to try and spread the love.”
As of Sunday night, the suspects remained at large.
If you have any information on this shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.
The levaya will take place today, Sunday in North Miami Beach passing Beis Menachem on 10th Ave. to FLL airport at 1:45 pm.
Levaya in New York on Monday, leaving Shomrei Hadas at 9:45 am and passing by 770 at 10:45 am.
Shiva will take place at 738 Empire Blvd.
Shacharis will be at 7:30 am
Mincha and maariv will be 7:45 pm
Times to be Menachem avel 10 am – 1 pm and 4 pm – 10 pm
WSVN-TV – 7NEWS Miami Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Deco
I’ve walked 11 years on shabbos on the same blocks where Rabbi Raksin was murdered and never had a problem. The truth is crime knows no boundaries. The rebbe was against abandoning a community. I believe this community which is the largest orthodox community in South Florida will come back stronger. More residents will be armed and the criminals will be intimidated from coming here.
For getting the real story out…this was no simple burglary. Reb Raksin was targeted and this was a hate crime. Swatstikas and Hamas signs are all over NMB. Anash in NMB is beefing up security and many more are getting concealed carry permits due to rise in anti semitic attacks.
Those rotten, miserable, anti-Semitic GENTILES, murdering our people, just like that!
Having just a gun may not be enough to deter another gunner, especially a trigger happy one, from using his weapon anyway. So, what good does it do anyone if both hit each other?
Should have a bullet-proof vest too. Additionally, is it any big deal to make bullet-proof hats? Yes, if they target the head, CH”V, then a vest is useless, but, still, a wider body is an easier target than the head.
My family lived in NMB 10Ct. NE 181st St.for 15 years, No problem !! It’s NOT a ghetto, but reasonable prices. I would still be there if not for B’H better circumstances. Do not sully reputations of those living there now. But, they should all become 2nd Amendment advocates and arm themselves accordingly.
Even if I agree with your point Id like to point out a lack of sensitivity in your comment. You can’t really criticize the ones hurting and mourning. This boys mistrust and anger towards all blacks will be harmless in the long run, as he comes from a culture and background of respecting and being sensitive to others. He doesn’t need your guidance.
But for you, I respect you for respecting others, including all races.
For those that think the only option for struggling families is to live in nmb because they can’t afford bal harbour. But I’m sorry your wrong. I admit the ppl are very nice in nmb but it’s not the only place to live. How about Weston, Cooper city, inverrary… sure you might have to commute to work but the trade off is a bigger home in a safer neighborhood compared to nmb. I dont think living near restaurants and schools are worth the safety of my kids. Whenever I even visit friends in nmb I’m always left confused as to… Read more »
There was an eyewitness that said there was no altercation. The 2 suspects walked up to the Rabbi, shot him, and walked away very nonchalantly.
The story of an altercation was fabricated by the police to deflect the fact that this was a hate crime.
Bye Sally Heyman and Carlos Alvarez…do nothing and get no support.
PS this happened in unincorporated Miami Dade County and the only officials to show up and give respect were from City of North Miami Beach…screw the county representatives.
I can’t understand the thinking of those who have a what-did-you-expect attitude towards crime in NMB. So, NMB is an enclave of mentchlichkeit surrounded by, shall we say, horrible lack of mentchlichkeit .To my thinking,that should be all the more reason to applaud those who are willing to live there, and cheer them as they become the catalysts for urban renewal. Residents of NMB cannot, or will not, flee to areas of outrageously priced housing. For this neighborly appreciation should be shown. They should be encouraged, by the government, not treated as second classes citizens. As an example, what kind… Read more »
# 17 You are grieving , and I cannot imagine the lose you feel. I have not walked in your shoes. But please, already you have your grand father murdered because of hate…..please don’t let his death , continue the hate…….yes there are blacks , whites etc. Who care nothing for mankind. But please do not lump us all together . May God Bless your Family, and help you in your healing, your Grandfather should never be forgotten because of the good he brought to all those around him.
let’s take thing into our own hands to make NMB more safe. It’s very easy to get weapon permits in florida, it shouldn’t be to difficult to start a Shmira.
In Florida it’s very easy to get a concealed weapons permit. There is a Lubavitcher yungerman that does FL state permit trainings there.
I believe it’s very important for yidden to be armed wherever the law permits. NOT because you want to be a hero, but because we need to remove the stereotype that yidden are like sheep led to slaughter.
These blacks don’t have care for other people
The NMB community should unite and organize a march in protest for this horrible crime and demand a more active presence of police in the area. The local politicians and the police need to feel some presure to take action. Let’s go out and shout until something is done. Enough is enough. We need change.
Crime definitely is Evrywhere .however nmb in general and the surrounding areas are known to have alot of gangs and shootouts that’s all I am saying.
let’s not just rely on the police for the future, maybe the Jewish community of nmb should put together a shmirah orginization
North Miami Beach is the place to be for struggling Jewish families. The people who say the NMB Jewish community is in the middle of a ghetto are absolutely correct. People in poverty don’t have the lines of credit to move into a safer neighborhood. However, despite being poor, the NMB community is lively and thriving, mostly because these Jews do not worship money. These Jews worship the family and the community relationships in a God-fearing manner. The murderers most likely come from broken societies that fail to generate healthy family structures. The Jewish community in NMB can and will… Read more »
I’m sorry but if you have your residents that walk around on Shabbos with a concealed weapon because the criminals are so dangerous I think that’s a hint that it’s a very dangerous town. Not something you have in any other Jewish town in Miami or Broward.
Crime is everywhere…. don’t be too complacent where you live. It’s all over. I lived in famous Surfside a Bal Habor neighborhood and my friend and his wife were held up at gunpoint, gun held to his neck, outside their house!! Yes, a place where you rub noses with the rich and the affluent. It was a miracle from HaShem and the quick thinking of the wife that saved them, she gave them what they wanted and the left with her van – the police patrol was right there under their noses when this was happening! We are the only… Read more »
People need to arm themselves with guns
OF THE PREVIOUS ARTICLE SAYS IT BEST.
Recently in Miami County They have been pro palestinian/Hamas rally’s. It make sense to me it is a hate crime.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BxQpzA8EqSo
May the family be comforted.
The police are anti semitic themselves, how can they deny its a hate crime, theyre crazy!!
U are wrong anywhere in this world is not safe if u don’t live in the community u can not stereotype it. It’s not a dangerous gettio
north Miami is a very dangerous place.They built a Jewish community in the middle of a dangerous ghetto i have friends who live there who have gotten held up by guns last year.
PLEASE ATTENTION ALL JEWS WHO LIVE IN NMB IF YOUR GOING TO LIVE IN SUCH A PLACE DO NOT BE IN DENIAL ARM YOURSELF ITS LEGAL FOR A REASON THERE!!!
Could have been a gang initiation act
So sorry for the family.
May you be comforted…..
It was a hate crime even the most stupid person realizes that but not the infantile police for the blacks know Jews have no money on Shabos. The police does nothing, they are infantile and Jew haters as well. Since OBAMA it became worse