‘Jewish Batman’ Killed in Highway Crash
Leonard (Lenny) Robinson, OBM, known around the world as a costumed superhero Batman and who dedicated his life to bringing joy to ill children, was tragically killed in a crash on a Maryland highway on August 16th. He was 51 years old.
According to a police statement, Robinson had stopped his car on the shoulder of Interstate 70 near Hagerstown, Maryland, to check on apparent engine trouble, when a Toyota Camry hit his Lamborghini Batmobile, which then hit him.
Robinson rose to fame – many years after first donning the batman costume in 2001 and visiting children in oncology wards across the states – when he was pulled over in his Batmobile by Silver Springs police for not having proper license plates displayed on his vehicle.
Dashcam video captured the encounter and was published by the Associated Press, raising Robinson and his cause to fame in 2012.
Robinson was able to dedicate his life to his charitable cause after he sold his commercial cleaning business, which he started as a teenager, for a hefty sum.
A few months after he ‘went viral,’ Robinson made an appearance on CrownHeights.info when he put on Tefillin for the very first time with Florida Shliach Rabbi Avraham Friedman. ‘Batman’ was visiting a South Florida hospital and encountered the Shliach, who was visiting a young member of his community, when he suddenly walked in.
Sitting together in the patient’s room he surprised everyone by saying “Yes! I am a member of the tribe too!” and much to everyone’s delight agreed to put on Tefillin. After reciting Shema and Tehillim together, ‘batman’ informed the rabbi that although he knew of Tefillin he had never put them on until then.
He is survived by his three children: Justin, Brandon and Jake Robinson; his parents: Larry D. and Ilona M. Robinson; and siblings: Scott (Jodi) Robinson and Michelle Robinson.
May his memory be a blessing
He brought joy to so many people. We need more good people in this world, chassid or not.
Ma Rabbi
Who else but a Jew would dedicate their life to visiting sick children and bring them cheer.
Anonymous
I have never heard of him before but my maiden name is Robinson. I guess there are more Jewish Robinson’s than I thought.
sw
it makes me sad to think that he was so righteous and giving, but pleased that he took all those mitzvos with him. what an amazing amount of mitzvos he did, we should all take an example.
Kashaman
There was a Robinson in the circle that learned “the Bible Unauthorized in NJ ca 5700-10. I am told the name was originally Rubinson and was an old Chabad family. He is in Igrois Kodesh.