From the Rubashkin family:
Thursday evening, after sitting through an hour-long recitation of the jury’s verdicts in Sioux Falls, Iowa, Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin was detained pending a bail hearing at the insistence of Peter Deegan.
If that were not shocking enough, the ordeal he was subsequently put through is positively offensive, contemptible, and a black mark on the justice system of the United States.
Reb Shalom Mordechai was taken by US Marshalls to South Dakota State penitentiary in Sioux Falls pending transfer to Iowa. He was not allowed to make a phone call to inform his lawyers or his family of his location.
One of the Marshalls, upon learning of this, was nice enough to call the family. They would have otherwise not known where he was.
As part of the entry process into the jail, Reb Shalom Mordechai was asked to disrobe and change into the prison uniform. He complied, but stopped short of removing his tzitzis and yarmulka, explaining that, as a religious Jew, he was required to wear these garments at all times, that it is permitted under federal law, and that he would not take them off.
The staff, after asking their superiors, were told that they would not allow him to wear his religious clothing.
At this point, six burly, intimidating prison guards entered with riot shields. They took a video of this interaction. He was told by the warden at the prison that he would be allowed to wear his yarmulka, but not his tzitzis.
Reb Shalom Mordechai explained that although he had no interest in making trouble, he would not remove his tzitzis for religious reasons and his religion does not allow him to walk around without tzitzis.
The prison staff belligerently insisted that he nevertheless remove them or they would be removed by force and he would be placed in a disciplinary area alone.
Reb Shalom Mordechai explained that he was not fighting with them, but he would not remove them himself. He was not trying to give them a hard time, but he was insisting on his religious rights. He also took the opportunity to inform them of his other religious needs, namely, the tallis and tefillin required for davening Shacharis, before which he would be unable to eat.
They responded by yelling at him for threatening a hunger strike. “Do you know where you are?!” they shouted They then removed his tzitzis. He was given only a thin sheet to cover himself and they brought a wheelchair to move him, since he had said that he would not be allowed to walk without his tzitzis.
The staff took him to the disciplinary area, where a woman asked him questions from a form, and then disregarded his answers, writing in whatever she wanted to, over his objections.
They left him to sleep with no clothes – only the thin sheet and his yarmulka and another sheet to cover himself.
In the morning, they brought him papers to sign, which he would not do without his lawyers. The US Marshalls arrived to transport him to Iowa, and they confirmed that he was allowed to wear tzitzis, which were then returned to him.
Due to his commitment to strict kashrus, food was purchased by his family that met those standards, but the food was not allowed into the Iowa prison because it wasn’t packaged correctly. He did not eat at all from Thursday lunch until Motzoei Shabbos when he was finally given a small bottle of grape juice for Havdalah, a package of rolls, and a pareve matzoh ball soup mix, which he ate cold.
Reb Shalom Mordechai is currently in county jail in Sioux City, which has been a lot more respectful of his rights and religious freedom. The bail hearing has been set for Wednesday, at 9:15 a.m., in Cedar Rapids.
The family asks that everyone daven and say Tehillim, as that is what Reb Shalom Mordechai feels is really important. Please continue to daven for Shalom Mordechai Halevi ben Rivkah.
The need for financial support is still very strong. Anyone who can help out and can lend support should take a moment to send a donation to the Pidyon Shvuyim Fund. The help of Yidden across the globe is severely needed. You can easily donate by clicking on the following link: Donate here
Alternatively, you can mail contributions to: Pidyon Shvuyim Fund 824 Eastern Pkwy Brooklyn, NY 11213
No. 40 is so right.
It sounds like a Jonathan Pollard type of a story!
ISNT IT A LAW THEY HAVE TO RESPECT RELIGIOUS BELIEIFS?
1.-hire a private investigator to dig deep into the private goings-on of the judge and the prosocution lawyers, etc. I am sure that you can find dirt which can used to disqualify them ,and force a mis-trial on appeal. 2.-find a connection between peta-union-organized crime (ie-mafia) – this will impact the case signifcantly. 3.-Someone should secretly take videos of what is going on inside PETA and the lawyers homes and private offices – if you search, you will find enough shmutz to overturn the guilty verdict. Once they are exposed for what they really are, they can’t be in a… Read more »
Maybe Mr. Rubahskin did actually violate US Federal laws. That does not excuse his being denied his federally assured rights. However those rights as they relate to Orthodox Jews may not be quite so well known in the heartland of Iowa as they are in upstate New York. I am sure that while he is serving his lengthy prison term Mr. Rubashklin will get kosher food but to expect a three course meal to have been available in Sioux Falls is expecting too much. He could have eaten fruit for 24 hours instead of refusing all food.
anti-semites!
Yet they take the murderer who was responsible for 9/11 and THEY MAKE SURE HIS RIGHTS ARE NOT VIOLATED while he will be in court in NEW YORK. It is a hillul HaShem that the Rabbi is treated in such a shameful way. This government should hang its head in shame.
the jail ppl could not have passed the constitution test if they somhow dont remember the FIRST BILL OF RIGHT! RIGHTS TO RELIGION, SPEECH, PRESS PETITION & ASSEMBLY!
its all in hashems hand ,daven
the jail ppl could not have passed the constitution test if they somhow dont remember the FIRST BILL OF RIGHT! RIGHTS TO RELIGION, SPEECH, PRESS PETITION & ASSEMBLY!
very sad
i doubt a letter to this anti semetic women will do anything. shes insane
Everyone’s commenting how everyone should do this and eveyone should do that. call this person, call that person. Two things to me are clear: 1. This whole case is so blatantly anti-semitic and unjustly that I don’t believe any logical undertakings can have any effect. 2. As a result, let each of us individually try to do one more thing to help the situation. As Jews are connected everywhere and every action we do affects every Jew and the entire world, let everyone think of one more thing they can do to help our fellow Jew. It can be something… Read more »
Action is fundamental
Fire all those responsible for breaking American law.
Sue the government.
Maybe Mr. Rubashkin can make a deal now with the government: no law suit, no embarrassment, reduced jail time for him?
[email protected]
I hate to say this, but I don’t think that contacting the NY Senators will go very far, they have nothing to do with this. You would be better off focusing your efforts on the states that are involved i.e. Iowa and SD.
Gillibrand, Kirsten E. – (D – NY) Class I
478 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/
Schumer, Charles E. – (D – NY) Class III
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm
Grassley, Chuck – (R – IA) Class III
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Harkin, Tom – (D – IA) Class II
731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3254
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/c/index.cfm
Are we a part of the American System||? WRITE CALL CONTACT SENATOR SCHUMER SENATOR GILIBRAND CONGRESSWOMAN YVETTE CLARK THE ENTIRE NEW YORK MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IF YOU DO NOT THEN YOU APPROVE!
As a Jew inAustralia.I am distusted with the treatment of this man.America,my respect for your land of rights and freedoms have been badly affected.I pray that good common sense will prevail and that true justice will be done
Anyone who can go to the sentencing on Wed. should do so. There should be buses of Jews in ALL the surrounding areas there!!!!
I TRIED TO DONATE $100 AND IT DID NOT WORK. PLEASE PUT A PAYPAL OPTION.
Perhaps we can all call the South Dakota authorities and let them know we feel the treatment Sholom received in their state prison was absolutely unjust and not acceptable! We cannot allow these horrific incidents to go by in silence. Please Contact the following: Governor Rounds: 605.773.3212. Attorney General Marty Jackley @ (605) 773-3215. Representative Marc Feinstein @ 605-335-6266. South Dakota Department of Corrections: (605) 773-3478.South Dakota State Penitentiary: (605) 367-5051. Please pass along to friends. Let’s hear good news very soon iy”H.
Perhaps we can all call the South Dakota authorities and let them know we feel the treatment Sholom received in their state prison was absolutely unjust and not acceptable! We cannot allow these horrific incidents to go by in silence. Please Contact the following: SD Governor Rounds: 605.773.3212./ Attorney General Marty Jackley @ (605) 773-3215./ Representative Marc Feinstein @ 605-335-6266. / South Dakota Department of Corrections: (605) 773-3478./ South Dakota State Penitentiary: (605) 367-5051. Please pass along to friends. Let’s hear Good News very soon iy”H!
How to fight them:The next Chabad House opened should be in South Dakota.
Tzvios Hashem should organize a childrens rally in 770 on Tuesday. Between all the schools and Yeshivos a rotating minyan should say tehillim for the next 48 hours in 770 and the ohel.
This horrendous incident is a tremendous violation of Sholom Mordechai’s civil and constitutional rights. We need to hear from the ACLU, from Nathan Lewin, from Alan Dershowitz. The time is now!!! A man’s life is at stake. We should not sit idly by while our brother is treated like an animal. What happened to him is totally illegal and underscores that this whole case is based on malicious persecution, not justice. We need to act, to write, to donate to his defense fun, to march, to write our congress people and senators and do everything in our power to get… Read more »
can someone please specify what we should write to the judge so that i and many others will be able to send a letter
Is what I’m reading true?! He is truly a hero. This story proves his Yiras Shamayim. Regardless if there were mistakes or not and if anything he was convicted of has validity or not, I’m certain that he tried to do what’s right…They are exaggerating this case by leaps and bounds and treating him with such brutal antisemitism. I can’t fathom the Mesiras Nefesh he’s having and the pain that he and his family is undergoing….Antisemitism does exist – even in 21st century America. The Torah is true, and in it we learn that “Eisav Soneh es Yaakov.” AD MOSAI….Hashem,… Read more »
Does anyone know if it is possible to write letters of support to Reb Sholem Mordechai? Is there an address available where letters can be sent to his family?
the first right of the bill of rights is FREEDOM OF RELIGION!!!!!!! they cannot do this to him!!!!! hashem we need moshiach now…………………….
we should get all the kids together and tell the to daven for him i’ll tell the princible ppl talk but never do we have to talk and do
Why did they allow the 9/11 terrorists religious rights in Guantanamo Bay and not Sholem Mordechai Rubashkin?
if there is a strike in crown heights i will join and i am sure so many others will tooo!!!!!!!
i will also write a letter to the honorable judge reade
and most of all i will keep davening and keep up my hachlate , and my students will say tehillim for r’ sm rubashkin ,
may all files holding the case vanish computer files get destroyed and , or any other miracle ,, hashem your the boss !
Look at this link.
http://www.courthouseforum.com/upload/phpjo0nIX.judge%20reade%20misconduct.pdf
It turns out that this Judge Linda Reade seems so like she is not so honorable. It sounds like she was behind the whole raid and prosecution. May Hashem do “Kasher Zomam” to her and the others behind this evil what they want to do to Sholom Mordechai Ben rivkah. All answer Amein.
i think they forgot they are in America!!!!!!!!!!
this is crazy! its time to get over ourselves and do anything we can to get him out… what better time than the shluchim convention when thousands of lubavitchers are here to make demonstrations cmon ppl!
We should all make noise and make our voices heard louder than before… Why doesn’t anyone write a letter to President Obama and see what he’s going to do about this, he is the President of the United States, no one has more power than he does right now so why don’t people make a demonstration infront of the White House??? i’m sure that would get them moving…
he is allowed to wear tzizit
plz everyone pidyun shvuin
SMR is still so strong after all this unfairness!! there are few ppl who wouldnt eat for so long and not move without tzitzis Hashem! help him get out we need a miracle!
I’m not suggesting that this letter is forged, but am I the only one who wonders who wrote it and where he/she got the information? This is very detailed and it’s the kind of thing that someone would only know from speaking directly to Sholom Mordechai, is that the case? For all those who are suggesting sending letters to politicians, I think it’s a good idea, but you’re going to need some backing for your information if you want it to be taken seriously.
all the people in Crown Heights should make a huge Demonstration in the streets just like by the Hachnosas Sefer Torah.
Just writing is not enough where is the chassidim which lobby in washington, why can’t they lobby for rubashkin, what happened to all the well connected chassimdim under the umbrealla of Lubavitch and where are the jews which are not lubavitchers from borobark, flatbush , williamsburgh, monsey , far rockaway, fivetowns don’t you all see whats happening here, read the comments on the demoines register they are ALL A BUNCH OF ANTISEMITIC ——-, THEIR IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RUSSIA OR GERMANY, YID N ARE YOU ALL BLIND???? STAND UP FOR YOUR FELLOW JEW, THIS IS AN INJUSTICE UNHEARD OF IN… Read more »
Yiden stop giving illegal workers (mexicons) jobs let the government take care of them.
We don’t ever trust the goyim, even if it is America and the twenty first century. Goyim are anti-Semitic, galus is galus and that’s it till the coming of Moshiach.
Hashem yerachem!
Please write the letter or find someone to do it and call a meeting where everyone can sign it. ( maariv time in 770 tonight?)
May only mazal shine down!!
Hashem watch over Your children
im sooooo impressed if i was him i would just give in!
people must get together (those who are not so busy)and stand in front of the capital in iowa or whichever is the right place to go and don’t leave until his rights are restored and have bitachon
Where is the alef institute in all this? I thought this was their area of influence. Where is SB Lipskar, I see they made a no Jew will be left behind Torah…what about SM Rubashkin?
should we approach our senetors or congressmen etc. any ideas how?
Can’t any “BIG” shluchim do anything?!
I would like to suggest that all the Shluchim at the kinus should Daven for SMR now, give Tzedokah and make a special hachlota
can someone arrange for that?
These are the stories from the Frierdiker Rebbe’s diary… I hope he has his Chag Hageula Now!! Then we’ll set up this day as a Chassidishe Yoma Depagra for all Chassidim. for this Chossid’s mesiras Nefesh in America!! may it happen right NOW!!!!
and i take on to try to learn Tanya.. not only say it!
A letter should be written and signed by all Lubavitcher’s and Jews complying about this blatant disregard of SM Rubashkin’s human rights. It should then be sent to our local and interstate representatives, news outlets and the Govenor of the state of Iowa
This could happen to your father brother uncle. Dont wait till its to late.
a prison is a prison
they say legal criminals run them
(also goes for policement – at least a proportion of them)
who else would want to work there?
this sounds like the frierdiker rebbe’sstory!!!!!!!!!
This is so sad. Beezras hashem, everything will work out
Please send in a neatly written fax to the honourable judge Reade. Requesting bail that Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin is not a flight risk and therefore should be let out on bail.
fax to: 336-458-2338 or email to [email protected]
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DO THIS AND ASK ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME THUS FULFILLING THE GREATEST MIZVAH OF PIDYAN SHVUYIM.
May Sholom Mordechai merit the ultimate geulah shleima bchodesh hageulah mamash NOW!!!!
sounds like what they did to the freidiker rebbe
it’s more and more like czarist russia for the yidden! Wake up everyone!
let march together, this is injustice, unless we make noise, nothing will be done. i would like to know if other companies or other mangers were punished in this magnitude.
What do they want from him?!? The US Justice system is so outta wack!!
WTF!
Yiddin, shray chay vkayom!!
We cannot sit by while our brother is treated like a dog!
Where is the justice system that America claims to have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i can not belive this!
AMERICA IS A FREE COUNTRY!
WE HAVE RELIGIOUS RIGHTS!
Can we have some direction as to how regular people can get involved and help get this man out of jail. This is simply intolerable. We would not think that this could happen in the US!!
we can’t let this happen
we need tp do something
I so don’t understand this??? Rebbe, are you watching this?? I”m in tears… how could such a thing happen to a special neshama and look… right before our eyes when there’s no control over it.
Yiddin, shray chay vkayom!!
We cannot sit by while our brother is treated like a dog!
are we in the usa or russia???? this is crazy!