Stones Thrown at Tish as Youths Attack Bnei Brak Bais Medrash

Stones Thrown at Tish as Youths Attack Bnei Brak Bais Medrash

A tish led by the Ashlag Rebbe, author of Bnei Heichala, was violently disrupted on Friday night after a group of youths allegedly hurled stones at the bais medrash, shattering windows while the building was filled with mispallelim. The incident occurred at the Ashlag–Bnei Heichala bais medrash in Bnei Brak, where chassidim had gathered around the Rebbe for the Friday night tish. As the chassidim sang zemiros and words of hisorerus were being shared, loud crashing sounds were suddenly heard from outside. According to eyewitnesses, a group of youths began throwing stones at the building. Several of the rocks smashed through the windows, sending shards of glass flying and forcing those inside to move away from the affected area out of concern for their safety. Although no injuries were reported, mispallelim said the incident could easily have ended in tragedy, given that the stones were thrown while the bais medrash was occupied. For residents of the neighborhood, the troubling question was not merely how the incident ended without injuries, but how such an attack was able to occur in the first place. The latest incident has once again highlighted what many Bnei Brak residents describe as a growing problem involving groups of at-risk youths who roam the city’s streets, allegedly engaging in harassment, threats, vandalism, fights, and at times physical violence. Several months ago, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert convened a special meeting following a series of violent Shabbos incidents that were attributed to fringe youth. The meeting included representatives from the municipality, welfare services, municipal enforcement, police, and public security agencies. Following the meeting, the city announced plans to increase police visibility, expand security patrols, and strengthen operations at the municipal emergency center. City officials also said that additional patrols would operate on Shabbos through non-Jewish personnel in accordance with the guidance of the city’s rabbanim. Police, for their part, pledged a policy of “zero tolerance” toward violence and threats to public safety. {Matzav.com}