By Yaacov Behrman, founder of the Jewish Future Alliance, and Director of Operation Survival
From August 19th to August 21st, Crown Heights was torn apart by what is now known as the Crown Heights riots.
During the riots, Yankel Rosenbaum was attacked and killed by a mob shouting “Kill the Jew.”
My father worked at the National Committee for the Future of Jewish Education, where the Emergency Committee was located, and developed a close relationship with Norman Rosenbaum, Yankel’s brother.
Before I proceed further, I want to emphasize that I absolutely support any event that brings the community together. The leaders of the diverse communities in Crown Heights have come a long way since the riots and have engaged in productive dialogue. However, that does not mean we should distort history or be insensitive to the loss of life.
In 2016, a group of Jewish organizations calling themselves One Crown Heights announced that they were organizing a “Fun Day Festival” on the 25th anniversary of the Crown Heights riots. It felt wrong to me, so I tweeted about it, and shortly thereafter received a call from Norman Rosenbaum, who expressed his disgust with the event and viewed it as a disgrace to his brother’s memory. He said that holding a “Fun Day” on the anniversary of the riots was shameful. Norman also informed me that his family hadn’t been consulted or invited; they first read about it in the news.
He shared with me that his mother was very upset by the situation and that he was taking the next flight to New York. It’s worth noting that he lived in Melbourne, Australia.
I spent considerable time with Norman that week and discussed the issues surrounding the event. I had the honor of organizing a prayer and memorial for Yankel, which was a deeply meaningful experience, at the site of the murder.
Norman felt that the Jewish leaders who planned the event should have known better and should have acted with greater sensitivity.
Over the years, I made numerous attempts to contact the event organizers, urging them to change the date from August to another month out of respect for the community. Unfortunately, their responses prioritized maximizing turnout and failed to adequately address the concerns raised.
This year, the festival is scheduled for August 20, the actual anniversary of Yankel’s murder. In what world could it ever be considered acceptable to host a festival on the very date that marks this tragic event?
Sadly, Norman passed away in 2020. I am certain that if he were still with us, he would speak out against holding the event on this date.
I urge the organizers to change the date and show respect for the memory of Yankel Rosenbaum.
Can someone please provide the contact info to get in touch with the one One Heights organization?
Is the contact
It sounds like it’s one of these organizations who preach about the problems of racism between the black and white communities, and the need to unite. The problem is when people turn this into a two sided issue. What happens is that when a Jew is murdered in cold blood by antisemites, this is called “racial tension”. Then the Jews start to feel guilty for antisemitism! “Oh, must be we don’t show enough respect for blacks, it must be our fault”. We must unite, but without ever justifying the attacker and accusing the victim. More specifically: It’s more important for… Read more »
My friend, please tell us what is being done to prevent the destruction of our community with the FOUR shelters coming to town? This is in addition to the shady tenants in many of the building in our midst… and to the many little shelters all around the shechuna. Please tell us how we can support your efforts as a leader in the community.
Is this not a good way to celebrate someone who was killed out of hate and division by having an event that expresses unity and kindness? I think it might be the best day to do it. Let’s be honest, most people don’t know when Yankel Rosenbaum HYD’s yahrtzeit is. Perhaps we can use this day to create unity and respect.
Are you kidding most poeple do know when yanked Rosenbaum maybe you are under 30 that’s why anyone above 32 know who Yankel was
And if it were someone in your family c”v that it happened to, would you also be ok with this festival being celebrated on the YARTZEIT of the person that marks this tragic event ???
That’s exactly what One Crown Heights does and has done for over 30 years, thank you!
Maybe if someone passed away, the family would see an appropriate way to celebrate the yartzeit. Like a lag baomer parade in their honor for example.
A murder? And this? No. Just no.
On Lag Baomer, the day when Rashbi died, we have massive parades and festivals. Though many might consider it a sad day, we are taught that the best way to celebrate the Rashbi is through joy and celebration. I don’t agree that holding a festival on a yahrzeit is necessarily disrespectful. Perhaps you can ask the organizers to hold a moment of silence for R’ Yankel HY”D?
This is not simply someone’s yartzeit… This is the day he was MURDERED!! In our shechuna!
How can one compare that to the Rashbi’s peaceful and holy histalkus?
This is the English date. The yartzeit is commemorated in Elul. Please also let us know if there will be a farbrangen or Memorial as would be fitting
The non Jews know the English date. We have to teach them that murder doesnt get a fun day.
This event is specifically meant to commemorate the riots and acknowledge the progress we have made. Holding a festival on the English anniversary is disrespectful, and there is no justification for it whatsoever.
Rashbi said to celebrate in that day, because he had completed his avodah in this world. Yankel Rosenbaum HYD said no such thing.
Very good suggestion – only bec the family was upset with the festival would I disagree. However, a moment of silence should be held whenever it does take place.
We can celebrate life and also mourn death. Moment of silence to open the day’s events and then celebration of “unity”
Lag B’omer is a yartzheit too, with parades and festivities. Just find a way to fold in all emotions about division and repair.
Rashbi said to celebrate in that day, because he had completed his avodah in this world. Yankel Rosenbaum HYD said no such thing.
The only way we change the narrative via hshtadlus is to change the narrative. Before the riots people who were different literally did not speak to one another. There was animosity due to misconceptions on both sides. While things are not perfect, this has changed significantly. The channels of communication are open and there is much more good will Much of this is clearly the result of the work of One Crown Heights which used to be Project Care. For the sake of our children in this ever growing community and difficult times we must continue the work of One… Read more »
What does saying hello to our neighbors, which is derech eretz , have to do with making a fun day on the anniversary of riots and a murder egged on by Christian clergy–clearly the polar opposite of derech eretz? Behrman is right.
Let One Crown Heights change the date.
The message is lost otherwise
Yankel Rosenbaum’s yarzeit is 10 Elul – this year August 27
Exactly
If it were a family member of yours, you may remember and mark the date by both the Hebrew and secular calendar.
Um no, I’m a Yid. I use the Yiddishe calendar, not the secular one
That’s fine for you. You saw Norman was upset about it! that’s enough reason to reschedule for a different date both Hebrew and Secular.
I am also a yid and I use both calenders. I don’t know how you get around in life without it…..
Yeah I use the secular if needed. But for marking anniversaries I use the yidddishe one
But we commemorate yartzeits only on the hebrew date last time I looked.
They stayed away from the yartzeit which is the following week. You can not through the baby out with the bathwater.
This whole concept is wrong. Seriously believe that these events make a difference? Right….the crime slowed down? And to do it anywhere near the yartseit is all the more heartless
As Jews and Chasidim, we do not follow the secular goishe calendar. His English death anniversary is not the true date, his Yartzeit on the Hebrew day is the date we should memorialize
Wow, someone with a brain. Hard to find in these parts
Firstly, some people do follow the English calender whether you like it or not. Secondly, it makes a difference because everyone knows that day as the day of this event even if they don’t follow the secular calendar.
We’re Yidden. Why should we be concerned it’s on the ENGLISH anniversary? Come back to us if it’s put on his Yiddishe one…
Change the title from fun day to unity day, look for solutions in life not problems.
Yes this makes sense and I believe the organizers care and will take this into consideration
What could possibly persuade any thinking Jewish leader to collude with people who have a vested interest in wiping out the memory of a deadly pogrom against Jews???? Wake up. Holding a festival on the date of the worst pogrom in the history of Crown Heights is NOT appropriate, nor does it make sense in any way. Do German Jews hold celebrations on the anniversary of Kristallnacht???????
It’s often very difficult to find a good day in the Jewish calendar. There’s 17 Tammuz, Tisha b’Av, so no music for three weeks, then there’s shabbos, and some might get upset if it’s on a yoma d’pagra, which, thankfully, we have many.
I think we shouldn’t be so hard on the organizers. We should rather try to find a way that works for everybody and make things easier and not harder.
Shehi pehi.
Its unfortunate that those who are trying to help build bridges in the community so that our community is at peace with our neighbors, instead of being recognized are being berated. As the above person said the three weeks usually falls out in July so having this event in July is a non starter. In addition the people who do this work for the most part are not getting paid, it is not a ‘job’. It is being done for the benefit of and love and caring for the community. This is not the only event that One Crown Heights… Read more »
But predictable.
I agree with the author 100% otherwise we would make a big joyous celebration on Tzom Gedaliah ben Achikom.