By Rachel Holliday Smith – DNAInfo.com
An event billed as trying to bring the neighborhood together on the 25th anniversary of the Crown Heights riots has “desecrated” the memory of a man slain during the unrest, his family said.
The brother of Yankel Rosenbaum, the Jewish student fatally stabbed during the August 1991 conflict, described the One Crown Heights event as “an insult” to the memory of the 29-year-old Australian.
Speaking through a family representative, Norman Rosenbaum said the event — a day-long affair that will include a memorial service for the victims of the riots as well as a family-friendly “neighborhood festival” in Brower Park — is “shameful” and “a disgrace.”
“It is an insult to the memory of Yankel Rosenbaum, who was murdered in the early hours of the riots for being a Jew,” he said in a statement, adding that the riots “should never be forgotten” for what they truly were — “a pogrom.”
“The tragic loss of his life and the circumstances of his murder are today not worth more than games, music, festival rides, arts and crafts, live entertainment and non-kosher food,” he said.
Rosenbaum’s reaction to the commemorative event has come as a shock to its organizers, many of them longtime Crown Heights leaders like Devorah Halberstam, the founder of the Jewish Children’s Museum.
In the planning of Sunday’s event, she said she was “adamant” about including a memorial for all victims of the riots, including Yankel Rosenbaum and Gavin Cato, the 7-year-old boy killed by the car crash that sparked the violence.
“It was probably the saddest day I could remember that has ever happened to our community. Tragic and sad. And we have to remember it as such,” she said.
The two-hour memorial at the Jewish Children’s Museum will be followed by a march to Brower Park and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, hosts of the neighborhood festival with Project CARE, a group founded shortly after the 1991 riots to promote tolerance in Crown Heights.
Stephanie Wilchfort, president of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, said Project CARE has been working for a year with careful consideration to plan Sunday’s anniversary event.
“The planning in itself is an extraordinary story of people with different perspectives coming together around a common purpose,” she said. “Brooklyn Children’s Museum honors the incredible work of our partners in realizing this day of reflection and neighborhood unity.”
Though the event will include lighthearted activities such as musical performances, jump-roping and free admission to the kid’s museum, the memory of the riots victims are the “absolute first concern” of organizers, Halberstam said.
And she hopes Rosenbaum — a resident of Australia who is invited, along with the Cato family, to Sunday’s event — understands that.
“I hope that when he will see the memorial service where we will pay that absolutely greatest and deepest respect to his brother … he’ll see it’s about the lives that were lost, both Yankel’s and Gavin Cato’s,” she said.
The One Crown Heights anniversary event will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21, with a memorial at the Jewish Children’s Museum at 792 Eastern Parkway. The neighborhood festival will begin at 1 p.m. in Brower Park. For more information about the event, visit Project CARE’s Facebook event page.
at the same time, i think there is a difference between respect and friends. we need to respect all humanity however when we start to become friends with them it can lead to intermarage and the like. we don’t want to be like non-jews because we are different and the more we try to show that we are the same these same non-jews show us how we are different. we have a nashama and we need to let it shine. it is interesting to note how the term “anti semitism” only came about durring the enlightment when many jews wanted… Read more »
25th anniversary of the ,”events” of the 20 the August 1991.
This is how the day is advertised. Anyone else see anything wrong with that?
what i dont understand is that the family of the victims dont want this !if you are doing it for them do it for them all the way and do the right thing! do we celebrate after the holocost ? no ! why do we celebrate after a murder the issue that has to do with black peaple and white people being able to get along is aoother story and we can probobly find many solutions but right now the family doesnt want this .at the end of the day are you doing this for them or you?it really idoes… Read more »
# 8 I agree with you a thousand percent
Todah for stating a name,of some type.
What would ‘The Rebbe, MH”M’ do?
Was The Rebbe a believer in unity? ‘The 7 Noahide Laws?’ Everyone informed person knows Y. Rosenbaum was murdered and Gavin’s death was an accident.
What would Yankel Rosenbaum, A”H want? Indifference to the surrounding community, who are NOT at fault? Enhance unity among Jews & others, which is the desire of ‘The Rebbe?’ There are many Hispanics here. Most rioters were not from Crown Heights.
By: Boruch Hoffinger
Dear Mushky Cohen,
I read the first few words of your comment, then stopped.
Most of the perpetrators of the pogrom were not from Crown Heights.
Many were brought in by the evil, Bilaam type, Al Sharpton.
To the Frum community of CH, its only right “NOT” to go, this is disrespectful to the Rosenbaum family & Yankel HY”D specifically, everyone here is right, Gavin Cato was an accident, Yankel was Murder, they are not the same thing. So please think about Yankel, remember him & for his sake, if you want to do what’s right, go & do something else, there are plenty of things to do in Bklyn, so show Yankel & the Rosenbaums you care & by not going.
Prevent this from happening!
Crown Heights has to take a stand.
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 »
I agree with the above comments that an accident and a murder should not be equated, although both families deserve our deepest sympathies, especially at a time where they will inevitably wonder “what if.” And a street fair is a bizarre memorial to either tragedy. But, wow- do you recognize what you are saying? “Unity is awesome, but I need to keep my child away from yours. Because your child is a toxic influence…” Now what do you think this perpetuates? It is more than possible to meet children from other cultures while still maintaining your own. I was never… Read more »
What’s next? A ‘Holocaust Commemoration Family Fun Day’ – after all, we should celebrate the fact that the Germans no longer want to annihilate our people with fair rides and cotton candy… This event is in bad taste and serves as an attempt to completely re-draw history by insinuating that the riots were the fault of and due to the actions of BOTH communities…. I don’t remember any Jewish people hurling bricks at their ‘neighbors’, inciting violence & hatred, and destroying both private and public properties…
1) yimach shemo about the Reverend (not shemi)
2) I take back the part about the blood on your hands…it’s not for me to judge
Perhaps a keren for Chessed in the spirit of true Ahavas Chinom
To set this straight, either side, any and all views, how about doing something everlasting for Yankel Rosenbaum, in Crown Heights, whose life was cut short.
He deserves it and we surely all agree.
Maybe the videos of the numerous muggings and robberies that have taken place in Crown Heights over the past few months should be shown at this ” UNITY” event to show that regardless of the continued deplorable acts of violence perpetrated by the blacks against the Jews, we are still helping organize and promote this shameful ” celebration event”. Perhaps the organizers should also invite representatives of the “Black Lives Matter” movement to the event. This fiasco of an event is reminiscent of events that the far-far left Jewish organizations proposed in the aftermath of the riots. Wouldn’t it behoove… Read more »
Gavin Cato was a tragic accident yankel Rosenbaum murder for being a Jew
Call it Unity Day………Let us take the lead in showing unity and what is meant by that. The festival title is disrespectul.
When there are terrorist attacks, do we make unity events with the Arabs? To remember the holocaust do we make unity events with the Germans? Here is no different. There was no disunity here. There was a vicious program resulting in a cold-blooded murder. It is a day of tragedy and a day of anti-semitic hate. A day that shows how inhumane and low the world can fall when charged with hate. This is a day we mourn the baseless hatred that exisits agaisnt our ppl. It is a day we rember that we are a dif nation, unaccepted among… Read more »
My deepest sympathy to the Rosenboum family and I think they are RIGHT
The SMART thing though is to live peacefully with our neighbors in CH for a better future
A loss is a loss and it is indeed tradgic that the young African American boy lost his life in a terrible unfortunate car ACCIDENT In the other hand the same loss of life of Yankle Rosenbuam HY”D was not an ACCIDENT but a deliberate act of murder! So the memorial is important but the emphasis needs to be on stopping hate and anti-Semitic actions of speech or worse G-d firbid. Moshiach now! May all the world have true peace and may we all get along beginning with our very own community and find ways to see how we have… Read more »
Unfortunately I don’t see how this will ‘keep our streets safer’.
While I don’t discount the insensitivty the event is going to happen. I recommend participation from the frum community if for no other reason than it will keep our streets safer. What message does it send if you don’t attend? Come and voice your grievance quietly with the family next to you, let them hear what you say and listen to what they say….if memory serves me well most of the rioting was not done by locals it was that reverand, yimach shemi, who imported hoodlums. My point is, the event is happening. I don’t expect unity per say but… Read more »
How different this would be if the same event was done a day later, respecting lives lost in solidarity, as a truly United community.
You missed the point!
Just another useless event created by people calling themselves our representatives. They do nothing for the community and are not in touch with what is really happening here. Just another photo op.
Firstly, I agree that a memorial service should not be together with a festival, both should be separate.
Secondly, Yidden shouldn’t be involved in organising this festival. While we need emphasise that Crown Heights is one community and their shouldn’t be racial divide and tensions; making a festival where Jews children mix with non Jewish children is definitely not what we should be doing; and the atmosphere will likely not be too Jewish.
You addressed your message to Yankel A”H. Yankel was the one that was murdered. Norman’s his brother.
the organizers should respectfully ask Norman Rosenbaum how they can adjust their event to accommodate the family’s sensitivities. it is actually astounding that they went ahead and organized it without consulting with him first. it is not too late to make amends.
It seems that my first reaction is what many have said here. Although both deaths were tragic, they are not comparable. One was a traffic accident the other was cold blooded murder. It seems like every time there’s a mention of the riots in the news they say “clashes between communities”.sorry there were no clashes just a one sided pogroms. I commend the efforts bridge the gaps and increase in harmony and dialog however perhaps some more sensitivity is in order.
I hope this was a misquote, but if not, how DARE YOU say Gavin was a victim of the riots! His tragic ACCIDENTAL death led to the riots. A fun day will not bring Gavin back. It will not bring Yankel HY”D back. What it will do is make some very sick people equate the riots with a fun and games, just like they tried to belittle the knock-out attacks by referring to them as a game! How low and sick are we to allow a “fun day” to commemorate the rabid murder of an innocent Jew? You want a… Read more »
So now the organizers were hauled over the carpet for their insensitivity, they compound the hurt by deciding to start off with a “memorial.” I agree with #5 – but I have to ask, didn’t anyone contact Norman Rosenbaum BEFORE this insane decision was made? Obviously not. Which just shows how little common sense any of them have. And to equate a MVA with a pogrom? This time they have really lost it. NO MORE PANDERING! A haskara in 770 would have been very appropriate and befitting the seriousness of the occasion, not blasting hip-hop and selling cotton candy. You… Read more »
To have a fun day on the death of gavin cato. Don’t understand what they are thinking…
The attempt to equivocate Yankel Rosenblum’s murder to Gavin Cato’s accident is wrong!
And to make as this had to do with community tensions and wasn’t a plain and simple pogrom perpetuated against our community is wrong!
There is something so inappropriate about this that it defies explanation. If you don’t feel it, no explanation can make a difference. And to parallel the car accident with the intentional murder of Rosenbaum Hy”d (by the man who served no time for it and went on to commit further crimes) is beyond wrong. If this is another well-meant attempt to encourage decent behavior toward the Jewish community, call it a regular ‘community relations event’. Oh, and good luck with that.
It was suggested to the organizers to rename the event
A Day of Remembrance, Compassion and Unity for a better tomorrow
Would have solved most, if not all the problems
Organizers of such an event might have considered speaking to Rosenbaum’s family before considering the event. Is anyone aware of a mainstream “festival” marking a horrific societal event? Sure, many people and places mark horrific events, with solemn, introspective or memorializing affairs, but a festival? Is Crown Heights, and particularly people of color and hasidic jews, a collaborative community and cured issue? The jews in crown heights aren’t even as one, let alone colored and hasids. So what exactly is this festival festivizing? This festival, although probably well-meaning, seems to have been conceived and organized by folks in some type… Read more »
Mr. Rosenbaum has right to be bitter especially with the disturbing comparison between an accident and murder as the same. But we need peace & the difference should have been established 25 years ago.
Festival? Fun for all ages?
How can these terms even be connected in any way to what happened?
It gives a totally incorrect message to both parts of the community. Remembering, reflecting & educating are very important. However, it needs to be done properly, without any type of celebration, and a lot more sensitivity. It should not have been planned or publicized without permission of the family.
I totally agree with Mr. Norman Rosenbaum. The festivities do not justly honor the soul of Yankel Rosenbaum, h”yd, may he rest in eternal peace.
Couldn’t agree more. May Yankel’s a’h Nashama have an Aliya and he surely has a lichtike Gan Eden
A lot of Crown Heights Yidden do not feel this is an appropriate event: too much leitzanus for what was suffered by the community during the pogroms, and by the Rosenbaum family. I am sorry, because I respect some of you very much and feel for all that you have given to the community. But I, and many others, cannot in good conscience participate in such a way-too-cheerful event at this poignant anniversary. This poster is a real “who’s who” of politicians, special interest groups, and others who want to make political “hay” out of being shown as “in” with… Read more »
This is a shame and shanda! One of our own got murdered during a vicious anti Semitic program led by racist anti Semitic al sharpton who hasn’t apologized and taken responsibility?! There is nothing to celebrate here. You want to make a unity event that’s fine but it must be appropriate!
Is the food free or u have to buy?
Loss of life is always tragic, but there is a difference between an accident, and murder. Glossing it over with a ‘fun day’ and memorial services to the one mudered is an insult. We should promote tolerance and peace, but not as a remembrance to riots and murder.
Gavin Cato was a tragic accident yankel Rosenbaum murder for being a Jew
They should stop putting the 2 deaths in the same sentence one was a accident one was a hate murder. And it was not the fault of the Jews
Dear Mr.Yankel Rosenbaum,
I understand how you feel and agree entirely that the riots were really a ‘pogrom.’ I myself am a victim of a brick to the head–scalpwound.
However, perhaps someone wiser than I can inform me of what ‘The Rebbe, MH”M’ would say about this. After all, ‘The Rebbe’ always tried to turn ‘darkness’ into ‘light.’
Meeting our non-Jewish neighbors in a spirit of friendship seems reasonable. It’s also a very good time to teach ‘The 7 Noahide Laws.’
gavin cato was a accident
yankel rosenbaum was murder 1
big difference .. we did not riot after rabbi kuti rapp was run down by a blk man hua ?