The Monsey Stabbing Just a Short Drive From My Home

by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor Spirited Table®  - content thankfully provided by Chana Weisberg - Editor, TJW = The Jewish Woman

Dear Readers,

Over Chanukah, my children visited us from Chicago. After Shabbat, after the seventh lighting of the menorah, they were preparing to leave. My son-in-law and two older grandchildren were rushing in and out, busily loading their van for their long drive home early the next morning.

And then, we heard the horrendous news of the stabbing in Monsey, N.Y.: A man entered a rabbi’s home and began viciously attacking those gathered for a Chanukah get-together. This took place just a short drive from my house. Our eyes were peeled to our phones, watching the latest newsflash on community chats. We now understood why our neighbor, a Hatzalah volunteer had sped down our street just moments earlier. 

Minute by nerve-wracking minute, we were updated. Pictures circulated of stretchers being carried to ambulances with police surrounding the area, sirens blaring, and soon, of the names of those injured. Many took on to recite chapters of Psalms, praying for the wounded. Warnings were issued to lock doors as the attacker was still not apprehended. My husband ran outside to tell our children, and my grandson, who overheard, had a hard time falling asleep that night. 

As time progressed, we learned that the criminal had been caught, thanks to a brave man in the rabbi’s house who chased him away with a table and told the police the license plate of the car he used to flee. As Sunday morning dawned, we awoke to the news that of the five people injured, one was critical and was undergoing his second surgery. More Psalms were recited. 

For the rest of this very personal and very tragic story click here at Chabad.org.