By COLlive reporter
A week after the bloody and malicious stabbing in Crown Heights, the Lubavitcher victim is laying in the hospital while his unnamed attacker remains at large.
Laiby Brikman, who got married less than a month ago in New York, is currently spending his days with his wife Mushka at hospitals under the watchful care of medical staff.
Brikman, 25, was stabbed with a knife by a black male last Wednesday in an attack that seems to be premeditated and racially motivated. “We’re looking at it as a potential hate crime,” Mayor Bill de Blasio stated.
Although he is not in a life-threatening situation, Brikman has endured a collapsed lung as a result of the stabbing. He underwent an emergency surgery at the Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn on Friday.
Brikman was about to be discharged when his medical status took a turn for the worse, when his lung collapsed again. This week, he was transferred by Hatzalah medical service to NYU Langone Medical Center to undergo yet another procedure.
“They had to reinsert the chest tube and he still has it,” said his mother Rivkah Brikman, co-director of Chabad of Sea-Gate and Coney Island. “Until the doctors feel comfortable enough that his lung is fully healed, he still needs to be here.”
“It’s been really tough…” Mrs. Brikman told COLlive.com. “Watching our son Leiby in so much pain is keeping me very busy. He is still in the hospital and still needs a refuah. Even when he gets home, he will need help and follow up.”
A group of friends are stepping up today to cover the medical expenses and support the parents, Rabbi Chaim and Rivkah Brikman, dedicated Shluchim servicing the Sea-Gate and Coney Island communities.
The family is not a stranger to hospitals, having endured medical challenges and Rabbi Brikman serving as an EMT and medical coach helping Jews from all walks of life.
“Rabbi and Mrs. Brikman are famous for helping everyone and anyone – except themselves,” the campaign organizers said. “Now it is our time to help them because to help them is to help the hundreds and thousands that they in turn help.”
The campaign matchathon.com/stabbing has a set goal of raising $40,000 with all donated monies being matched and all credit card processing fees going directly to the family.
VIDEO:
Shlucha Rivkah Brikman’s inspiring words at the press conference with public officials
Join the campaign at matchathon.com/stabbing
We pray for Leiby’s swift and steady recovery.
Speedily
Laiby Was back home for Shabbos, we wish him to get better ASAP, a full refua, and to have a very happy life with his new wife
feel better Yehuda
I believe he is 26, ie, his kapital is #27
Refuah Sheleimah!
Did the city put out a reward 2 catch this terrerist animal !!??
i know the brikmans personally. They r exceptional people. i am Amazed by their betachon, good cheer , kindness and dedication to their shlichus, despite challenges. May hashem bless them with only revealed good
wishing you refuoh shlemo !!1
The perp was identified earlier this week by the NYPD, and apparently this man has a long history of criminal activity and arrests.
Police are still searching for him.
Both Rabbi and Rivky are role models to many Lubavitchers, myself included. Always available to listen and give advice. May all your Zechussim protect your family. Refuah Shlaima!
I believe the guy was identified through the cameras and there is at least a $5k reward by the ADL, possibly a $10k… Not sure
Keep safe and feel better
Did the city put out a reward 2 catch this terrerist animal !!??
We are davening for you and your family. May Hashem repay you a million times over with good corresponding to your suffering. Moshiach now.
If the members of the community council will come out of their hiding and do something…. Maybe we will have a safer community. In the meantime, we only see them when the camera is out.
Wishing Yehudah leib a complete and speedy recovery. You are in our prayers.
Refuah Shelaimah Yehuda Leib ben Rivkah Alta
Of course the attacker is at large- as is the knife attacker from a few months ago on Eastern Parkway and Bedford. It’s a free for all in this community. When the police are interested in getting attackers they do anything and everything and they do get him. It seems Jews are the only ones people want to ‘get’- not their attackers. We need to come up with our own security and investigative organization, I don’t know who or how but it’s a must because no-one’s gonna do it for us.
Kapital 26 for Yehuda Leib ben Rivka Alte, I believe.
I am so sad this has happend to your son and your new husband. I can’t stand to see pain and tears. I wish you an utterly speedy recovery both in mind body and neshoma
I want to know how these evil scumbags get away with such things
Chana simcha