“I Thank G-d My Son is Alive”

By COLlive reporter

At an event in Crown Heights Thursday, elected officials, members of law enforcement and community activists gathered to condemn recent violence against Jews in Crown Heights and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Public Advocate Letitia James was joined by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, NY Senator Jesse Hamilton, New York City Council Member Laurie Cumbo, NY State Assemblyman Dov Hikind and other officials for a news conference in response to the stabbing of 25-year-old Leiby Brikman.

While a few of the speakers remarked that they could predict which community leaders would come out in support after violent incidents in the community, there was one who said there was something different this time around.

Mrs. Rivkah Brikman, mother of stabbing victim Leiby Brikman, spoke emotionally about the violent attack that nearly took her son’s life, noting that what she could not predict, was that “I would be in the room,” she said.

“We were here in Crown Heights for his wedding, and now 2 weeks later we are here for the stabbing that happened to my son,” Brikman said.

Video: Mother of stabbing victim Leiby Brikman, Mrs. Rivkah Brikman, speaks

On Wednesday, February 10, newlywed Leiby Brikman was stabbed in the back while walking down Empire Boulevard near Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights.

Brikman recounted that her son was stabbed in broad daylight in a central location in Crown Heights, however at the time of the attack there were no witnesses.

“While he was alone during the incident, he was not alone,” she said. “Because G-d was with him. I give thanks to G-d that my son is alive,” she said.

Public Advocate Letitia James had strong words for the attacker, and urged calm among the diverse communities in Crown Heights despite the violence.

“An attack against my Jewish brothers and sisters is an attack against me. We refuse to live in fear,” said Public Advocate James. “Regardless of our race or religion, we are all one City and one community. In the face of hate, we must be beacons of unity, love, and cooperation in our communities. The perpetrator of this heinous stabbing is still at large, and we must all work together to bring him to justice.”

Public Advocate James praised the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) who announced that it is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for the stabbing.

“Too many Jewish New Yorkers still feel unsafe in their own communities,” said Chanina Sperlin, Vice President, Crown Heights Jewish Community Council. “The Jewish community has face ugly discrimination for thousands of years, but we continue to persevere through love and hope. Working together with Public Advocate James, we are confident justice will prevail.”

“We are One Brooklyn, and we stand united in the face of violence and hatred,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “I ask all Brooklynites to come together to support the Crown Heights community, which has been shaken by this terrible attack. Let us be vigilant against those seeking to do harm, particularly in the midst of a series of random knife-related attacks across our city, and let us do more to push forward the mental health services needed to heal those who may be at risk.”

Brikman thanked Hatzalah for helping her son, who sustained a collapsed lung, and Rabbi Avraham Lider of Ahavas Chesed and chaplain of Kings County Hospital, who has been at their family’s side.

Brikman had one heartfelt message from her son, whom she described as a “kindhearted, sincere individual who would not hurt a fly.”

“My son asked, please make sure this murderer is caught, so this does not happen again,” she said. “He’s worried for the next person that could be hurt. I beg you, from a mother’s heart, find this murderer who had intentions to possibly kill my son.”

Please say Tehillim for Yehuda Leib ben Rivka Alteh.

Video: Full press conference remarks