A rabbi was attacked outside his home in Bergenfield, New Jersey, in an incident believed to be an antisemitic assault, drawing condemnation from local officials who labeled it as “shameful violence.”
Rabbi Avraham Wein, originally from Queens and a father of two, shared with The Post that he was confronted by an assailant around 2 p.m. on Sunday as he was outside his residence.
A neighbor intervened during the attack, resulting in minor injuries for both Rabbi Wein and the bystander. This was reported by Chief Mustafa Rabboh of the Bergenfield Police Department via a Facebook post.
Law enforcement arrested Jeffrey Zicchinella, 40, from nearby Ridgefield Park, charging him with two counts of simple assault. He is also known by the name Jeffrey Vangoldren, according to reports by NorthJersey.com.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the rabbi was specifically targeted but have increased security measures in the community.
Bergenfield’s Mayor, Arvin Amatorio, expressed his dismay on Facebook, stating, “This despicable act of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated here.”
He emphasized that “we will not tolerate violence against anyone in our community,” urging any witnesses to step forward to assist with the investigation.
U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) denounced the attack as “a hateful and vile act.”
Gottheimer remarked, “This violent incident took place just before Sukkot, a holiday focused on faith, family, and community,” on his X account.
“Every family in North Jersey should be able to worship in safety and freedom. Antisemitism has no place in our society. It’s reassuring that the perpetrator was swiftly captured, and they must face justice for this act of hatred,” he continued.
In response to the attack, police presence near Jewish homes and synagogues has been heightened as a precaution, though officials believe this act was “isolated.”
Rabbi Wein holds a position as assistant rabbi at Congregation Keter Torah located in Teaneck, NJ, and is also part of the faculty at Torah Academy of Bergen County.
Previously, he was a rabbinic assistant at Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence, NY, as per his professional biography.
Raised in Queens, Wein attended Yeshiva University. He and his wife, Shira, who is a certified physician assistant, have two children.
In an interview with The Post, Rabbi Wein expressed gratitude for the concern regarding his well-being but noted that there was some “misinformation” circulating, stating he was not hospitalized and the incident did not involve him building a sukkah in preparation for the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
Zicchinella has been placed in custody at the Bergen County Jail, according to police records.
Reports indicate he has a lengthy criminal history, including charges related to drug offenses, burglary, and credit card fraud.
