NJ Community Demands Answers After Violent Assault on Teaneck Rabbi
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Bergenfield NJ, a violent weekend assault on a local rabbi in Bergenfield, New Jersey, has ignited a passionate debate across the community: Was this a terrifying random act of violence or a chilling instance of rabid antisemitism?
On Sunday, October 5, Rabbi Avraham Wein, the assistant rabbi at Congregation Keter Torah in Teaneck, was assaulted on Sussex Road around 2 p.m. The swift response from local authorities has brought a suspect into custody, but the question of motive has become the central, divisive issue.
The Official Stance: “Simply an Act of Unprovoked Violence”
Following the attack, the Bergenfield Police Department moved quickly to address the community’s fears. At a press conference and in subsequent statements on Monday, October 6, Police Chief Mustafa Rabboh stressed the official determination:
“This was a random act of violence. No words were exchanged prior to the assault, and there is no indication that this attack was motivated by race, religion or ethnicity. It was simply an act of unprovoked violence, and the suspect will be charged as such.”
Police stated that the suspect, Jeffrey Zicchinella (40) of Ridgefield Park, stopped his vehicle and assaulted the rabbi without provocation. Zicchinella has been charged with two counts of simple assault and is being held in Bergen County jail. Authorities confirmed that a nearby resident who bravely came to the rabbi’s aid also suffered minor injuries.
Community Concerns: The Shadow of Antisemitism
Despite the police chief’s clear statement ruling out hate crime motivation, the incident has inevitably focused attention on the rising concerns about antisemitism—defined as hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews—especially in North Jersey, which is home to significant Jewish communities.
Many residents and community advocates remain cautious, wondering how authorities can definitively rule out a bias motive so quickly when the victim is a visibly identifiable member of the Jewish clergy. The question for many is: when a Jewish leader is violently targeted, how can the element of Jew-hatred be entirely dismissed?
Unity Over Division: Mayoral Response and Increased Patrols
In the wake of the incident, local leaders have called for unity and reassurance. Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio emphasized the inclusive spirit of the borough:
“Bergenfield is a welcoming, inclusive and diverse community. We do not tolerate violence in any form… We are a community of neighbors helping neighbors, and that spirit remains strong.”
Chief Rabboh also confirmed that the Bergenfield Police Department is working closely with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and has already implemented increased patrols throughout the borough to ensure resident safety. The goal is to show that “These types of incidents do not divide us, but rather they unite us,” the Chief stated.
The investigation continues, and while the police maintain the attack was random, the community conversation about hate crimes and public safety in North Jersey has been forcefully reignited.
