$10K Reward Offered Over Worshipper Stabbing In Rockland: Update

UPDATE 4:27 p.m. — The Anti-Defamation League is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people who stabbed a Rockland man as he walked to synagogue for morning worship Wednesday. The 29-year-old man told emergency responders from Rockland Hatzolah that two men had pulled up in a car, jumped out and stabbed him, Yeshiva World News reported.

Ramapo town and police officials held a press conference Wednesday afternoon. They announced more police patrols would be assigned to the ultra-Orthodox enclave. But they cautioned against calling it a hate crime.

"You have to establish motivation or intent," said police Chief Brad Weidel, "and we're not there yet."

UPDATE 3 p.m. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to help the Ramapo police and Rockland County Sheriff's Office investigate the Wednesday morning stabbing of a worshipper walking to synagogue. He wants to find out if the attack was motivated by anti-Semitism.

"I am deeply disturbed by the violent attack of an Orthodox Jewish man who was beaten and repeatedly stabbed while on his way to Synagogue in Monsey, Rockland County, earlier today," Cuomo said. "This is not an isolated incident, all across the state we've seen an alarming rise in anti-Semitic vandalism and hate-fueled attacks. We cannot allow the cancer of hate to metastasize any further. The escalation of hatred and anti-Semitism must end here and now, and I urge all New Yorkers to denounce hate whenever and wherever they see it."

MONSEY, NY — A would-be worshipper is undergoing surgery at Westchester Medical Center after a knife attack on the street in Monsey, Ramapo police said. Police were called to Howard Drive at 5:49 a.m. after someone reported a pedestrian hit by a car.

They found instead that the victim, who was walking to synagogue, had been stabbed and slashed. He was taken to Westchester Medical Center by Hatzolah Ambulance.

Police are being assisted by the Rockland County Sheriffs BCI unit and Chaverim of Rockland County.

This is a breaking news story; check back with Patch for updates.

SEE ALSO:

Rockland Leaders Grapple With Development, Anti-Semitism