Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Advocate for Victims of Sex Abuse Attacked with Bleach in Williamsburg

The Gothamist
December 12, 2012

http://gothamist.com/2012/12/11/ultra-orthodox_advocate_for_victims.php

(Rabbi Nuchem Rosenberg)

A controversial Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leader known for advocating on behalf of victims of sexual abuse was sprayed in the face with bleach this afternoon on Roebling Street in Williamsburg. Rabbi Nuchem Rosenberg was allegedly assaulted by a relative of convicted sex offender Baruch Lebovits, whose conviction was overturned back in April, the Examiner reports. And Failed Messiah, a news blog that reports on New York's ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, reports that Rosenberg has now been released from the hospital and is not blind in one eye, despite rumors on Twitter.

The assault occurred on day after the conviction of Nechemya Weberman, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish leader from Williamsburg who was convicted of sexually abusing a young girl for three years between 2007 and 2010. According to the Examiner, "Several high ranking chasidic leaders are blaming Rabbi Rosenberg for numerous arrests and convictions of sexual predators living within the Satmar community, including the conviction of Nechemya Weberman earlier this week."

As of 5:40 p.m., the NYPD press office had no information about this incident, but according to Failed Messiah an arrest has been made. We happened to speak to Rosenberg outside the courtroom on the day the verdict was read. Referring to the tightly-knit community's reluctance to report crimes to outside authorities, Rosenberg told us, "I keep on saying, 911 is the answer." He added, "This is a very positive development, very powerful. He was a rabbi, he was a very powerful man in his community."