By justiceforsholom.org
On Friday, April 9th, the government issued a sentencing memorandum urging the court to impose a life sentence on Sholom Rubashkin, a non-violent first time offender.
This recommendation comes despite the fact that Mr. Rubashkin is a non-violent first time offender, who made timely interest payments to the lender bank until his plant was raided and who did not intend to cause loss to the bank. All the immigration charges were dropped, and the only other charge unrelated to bank fraud was that his payment to cattle owners occasionally came late.
The life-sentence recommendation disregards entirely Mr. Rubashkin’s exceptional record of charity and good deeds and that he is is the father of ten children, including a severely autistic 16-year-old son, all of whom depend on him greatly.
In their sentencing memorandum, Mr. Rubashkin’s defense counsel pointed out, that in a recent bank-fraud case in St. Louis involving a similar loss to the same bank (US v. Mark Turkcan), the imposed sentence was one year and a day.
Mr. Rubashkin’s sentencing is scheduled for April 28th and 29th before District Court Judge Reade. Unfortunately, the sentencing Judge in this case usually adopts the prosecutor’s recommendations.
Prominent Jewish leaders have signed a proclamation urging Jews to convey their concern to the Department of Justice. Please see below.
In joining the many Jewish leaders and organizations nationwide issuing this call, we are in no way condoning any criminal conduct. Rather, we are asking that Mr. Rubashkin be treated like any other American.
In addition to praying on his behalf (Sholom Mordechai Halevi Ben Rivkah), community leaders are urging concerned individuals to help in the following manner:
1. Raising Awareness in the Legal Community: It is important that Judge Reade and the prosecutor learn that the legal and judicial communities are aware of this travesty and are concerned about the upcoming sentencing.
Professor Paul Cassell, a former federal judge, has drafted a letter to Judge Reade detailing how a lengthy sentence would be disproportionate and unreasonable. A supporting letter – to be signed by retired judges and law professors who agree with Judge Cassell’s letter — is being circulated for signatures.
Several former prosecutors have drafted a similar letter to Judge Reade – also describing how a lengthy sentence in this case is unduly harsh and disproportionate. That letter is also being circulated for signatures.
Please e-mail [email protected] or call 888-614-6996 ex 1, if you are aware of any former prosecutors, retired judges or current law professors who may be inclined to sign either of the 2 letters.
2. Raising Public Awareness. It is also tremendously important to increase public awareness of the government’s disproportionately harsh treatment of Sholom Rubashkin. You can assist in this effort by posting your comments on line in response to articles that have been written (links are available on justiceforsholom.org or by drafting letters to the editors of newspapers that publish articles relating to the case.
If you have connections with journalists, talkshow hosts, potential op-ed writers, blog managers, etc., please email [email protected] or call 888-614-6996 x 2.
3. Join the Equal and Fair Justice For Sholom Campaign. To volunteer, please email [email protected] or call 888-614-6996 x 3. To receive CALL TO ACTION alerts, please email [email protected] or text JUST (5878) to 82257. To donate, please email [email protected] or call 888-614-6996 x4
For more information, visit justiceforsholom.org or call toll free Number: 1-866-614-6996
FREE TRANSLATION OF LETTER SIGNED BY JEWISH LEADERS
To our Jewish Brethren Worldwide:
Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin is due to be sentenced shortly, and as the situation now stands, is facing the possibility of a very lengthy jail sentence, G-d forbid.
US Legal experts have informed community leaders involved in this case, that the recommended sentence (by the US attorney) is overzealous and excessively harsh, and is totally unparalleled to similar offenses by others.
According to the experts involved in the case, phone calls and letters to department of justice (expressing concern) about this situation can be helpful. Therefore, there is a holy obligation for every single individual to get involved in this matter of utmost Pidyon Shvuyim , and to do whatever they possibly can to assist in this matter.
As well, anyone who has the ability to urge the department of justice or political officials to rectify the (undue) harshness (displayed by the DOJ) should get in touch with the committee as soon as possible, and do whatever they possibly can to help rectify the (undue) harshness, and hereby fulfill the mitzvah of ‘Lo Taamod’ – not standing by idly while a fellow’s blood is shed.
As the Shulchan Aruch Yoreah Deah rules (252:3): Every moment that one delays the mitzvah of Pidyan Shvuyim, when there exists the possibility to assist sooner, is tantamount to committing bloodshed. As the Rambam’s states famously in the Laws of Matnas Aniyim (8:4): There exists no greater mitzvah than that of Pidyun Shvuyim ; One who looks away from assisting in helping to free the person, violates the injunctions of : Do Not Harden Your Heart, Do Not Be Tightfisted and Do Not Stand By While The Blood of Your Fellow is Being Shed. The Rambam then states an additional five mitzvahs involved in this.
Our Sages have already stated (Shabbos 151b ): All Who Have Compassion on Living Beings, Heaven will have compassion on him.
May Hashem positively change the hearts of the authorities to good; May the cries of the imprisoned come before Hashem, and speedily extract him from his imprisonment. Amen.
Month of Iyar, 5770.
SIGNED BY LEADING RABBIS IN AMERICA & CANADA:
Rabbi Dovid Feinstein – Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim
Skulener Rebbe
Rabbi Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi – Rav of Kfar Chabad,
Mattisdorfer Rov
Pupa Rebbe
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky – Rosh Yeshiva Philadelphia
Rabbi Malkiel Kotler – Rosh Yeshiva BMG, Lakewood
Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Krinsky – Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch, Chabad
Novaminsker Rebbe
Satmar Rebbe of Williamsburg
Rabbi Yonasan Bonyomin Weiss – Av Beis Din, Montreal
Rabbi Menachem Meir Weissmandel – Av Beis Din, Monsey
Rabbi Moshe Wolfson – Rosh Yeshiva Torah V’Daas
Sample message:
Thank you very much, Honorable President Trump, for commuting the sentence of Mr. Sholom Rubashkin. This means a lot to Jews everywhere. May you have much success in leading the country and helping the world! May God bless you and all those involved in the proceedings leading to the commutation, and all good things.
Please call the white House: 205-456-1111
M-F 9-4
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Hashem is helping!
I’ve said all along like comment 4 but do it in Iowa in front of the courthouse trying him.
We are’nt asking for special previliges for SMR all we are asking for is that he get no more than the normal jail time for this incident which is a year and a day. Otherwise, no justice no peace.
read this article and comment on it http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100417/NEWS/4170322/-1/BUSINESS04/Prosecutors-Rubashkin-deserves-life-in-prison
it is nice to see Achdus amongst Klal Israel. Perhaps if we saw this kind of unity earlier we would not be in this situation today.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/fair-and-equal-justice-for-sholom-rubashkin
All that’s missing is phone numbers and contact information for people to address their sentiments.
if your looking for more things to do
matzav.com has a good suggestion at the end of their
post.
i agree
organize a rally in Manhattan, and all Jews should attend!
USE THE PARADE AS A RALLY!
make as if we are demonstrating!
thousands of fellow yidden and show support for Rubashkin!
A demonstration in front of the Dept of Justice with at least 25,000 people will be more effective than thousands of silent emails in gaining public attention and would put the pressure on. Many people would join if it could be organized.
now they wake up to do something?good morning!
According to the experts involved in the case, phone calls and letters to department of justice (expressing concern) about this situation can be helpful. Therefore, there is a holy obligation for every single individual to get involved in this matter of utmost Pidyon Shvuyim , and to do whatever they possibly can to assist in this matter.
What can we do?
So what should we do practically?