by Getzy Markowitz
Jews have been the target of injustice for centuries. From judges on the bench to the chancellors who might appoint them, our people have enough historical experience to know when it is time to defend ourselves.

Magistrates preside over cases dealing with minor offenses, and over preliminary hearings that deal with more consequential ones. But a statement made by Magistrate Jon Stuart Scoles on Nov. 20, concerning the bail of an orthodox Jew, was a major offense to every American Jew. It must evoke a harsh response from the Jewish community. In his ruling, the Judge cited Israel's Law of Return as grounds for not permitting a Jewish defendant to be released on bond, even though he had already surrendered his passport.

Op-Ed: Magisterial Bigotry

by Getzy Markowitz

Jews have been the target of injustice for centuries. From judges on the bench to the chancellors who might appoint them, our people have enough historical experience to know when it is time to defend ourselves.

Magistrates preside over cases dealing with minor offenses, and over preliminary hearings that deal with more consequential ones. But a statement made by Magistrate Jon Stuart Scoles on Nov. 20, concerning the bail of an orthodox Jew, was a major offense to every American Jew. It must evoke a harsh response from the Jewish community. In his ruling, the Judge cited Israel’s Law of Return as grounds for not permitting a Jewish defendant to be released on bond, even though he had already surrendered his passport.

To rule that Jews would misuse a law enacted to protect them is an abuse against the very laws that Magistrate Stuart is supposed to be enforcing and protecting. His statement was that, “Under Israel’s Law of Return, any Jew and members of his family who have expressed their desire to settle in Israel will be granted citizenship.” This demonstrates that he is a knowledgeable individual. He knew full well what he was saying when he practiced poor judgement by saying it. Sholom M. Rubashkin is not sitting in jail because he is a danger to society, but rather because a judge is discriminating against a class within society.

The judge’s inflammatory statement must ignite the ire of any American Jewish organization which claims to be a voice of its people. For a judge to label all Jews as flight risks calls to mind history’s dark times when Jews have been compelled to take flight. Ironically, at the same time it legitimizes the state that was created as their haven. If ever the Anti Defamation League had a slanderous assertion to protest, this is it. It not only defames law-abiding American Jews, but threatens the legitimacy of that prefix.

This week, Chassidic Jews celebrated the anniversary of the miraculous release of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi from Czarist imprisonment. The founder of the Chabad Chassidic sect was incarcerated for supporting Jews living in the Ottoman controlled Land of Israel. Two hundred years later, a Chassidic Jew is being imprisoned, lest the State of Israel support him.

This weekend, Jews will be studying the story of scripture’s favorite son in synagogues across the world. Joseph was cast into the despairing dungeons of Egypt after being hurled into a world of misery by his own brothers. Today a modern Joseph is unjustly detained, as his brethren keep their outrage retained. Given the nature of the Magistrate’s ruling, all Jews are with Mr. Rubashkin not only in spirit, but in alleged culpability.

Sholom Rubashkin is being held under conditions that should be reserved for dangerous criminals. If terrorists were given such treatment, this country would be a safer place. Murderers, rapists and mega-swindlers are released on bond, while an accused but not convicted man is given the treatment that they would deserve post-conviction.

To view this development as an isolated incident is to adopt the view of the isolationist. Some have seen the attack on the Rubashkins as a crackdown on a rogue company, while others have understood it to be a war on kosher. But to disregard this blatant assault on Jewish credibility, and to ignore the plight of a Jew who has been targeted as its scapegoat, is to be a brazen escapist.

This Op-Ed reflects the views of its author. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CrownHeights.info nor of its Editors.

A reader that wishes to make his or her voice heard on any topic of their desire is welcome to submit his or her Op-Ed to News@CrownHeights.info.

14 Comments

  • BRHS

    “The founder of the Chabad Chassidic sect was incarcerated for supporting Jews living in the Byzantine controlled Land of Israel. Two hundred years later, a Chassidic Jew is being imprisoned, lest the State of Israel support him.

    BRILLIANT LINE

  • Chesky

    Which is why I was surprised that Bernard Madoff got bail. He too a Jew has the same law of return. Furthermore, any Mexican citizen who commits a crime in the USA should never get bail since they too can return home to Mexico. This is Senseless, typical mid-western anti antisemitism.

    Shame on this judge.

  • Look it up!

    Getzy,

    The Byzantine Empire fell around the 1450s. The Alter Rebbe lived during the late 1700s.

    After that the Ottoman Empire took control of Eretz Yisrael.

    You should do a simple wikipedia check before you open your thesaurus to write your standard, florid drivel.

  • boruch hoffinger

    B“H
    Very interesting article and a salient point.
    Mr. Kenneth H. Ryesky, Esq. wrote, this week, in The Jewish Press:
    ”… Would the prosecution argue that all Blacks are flight risks on account of Liberia’s laws that grant Liberian citizenship to Black Americans? …all Armenian-Americans, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Bulgarian or Hungarian…Who also have automatic or expedited entry and citizenship?“
    Magistrate Jon Stuart Scoles is not a good judge or American. He also is trampling on the sacred 7 Noahide Laws and G-d Almi-ty.
    When it comes to ‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ we shouldn’t be forced to say: ”…With Liberty and Justice for All.” Because it’s a lie. One shouldn’t make Americans lie, it’s Anti American!
    Basically, in America, justice is not always doled out to each individual. If you have money your chances are greater to receive justice, otherwise the thief or murderer wins. I know, it happened to me and I was born (In Crown Heights) here and went through the public school system. I was forced to say the pledge. As a child I was naive. Now, as an adult I would NEVER say the whole pledge because the ‘authorities’ are not making the proper effort to improve things.
    bhoffinger@aol.com

  • To: Look it up!

    Although you make a valid point, someone with your amount of vast knowledge should know that referencing from Wikipedia is as you would say “florid drivel”

    Good Shabbas!

  • Iowa vs. New York

    Madoff is accused of stealing $50 Bil and HE is under house arest after surendering his passport.
    Apparently in NY state and Fed prosecutors don’t think every
    accused Jewish citizen will “flee” to Israel.
    A. Rubashkin is not only being made a scapegoat for the whoe industry, he is being persecuted for being a Jew.
    That magistrate should be removed as a show of apology to every American Jew.
    I am truely horrified and frightened.
    Remember evryone who said “it can’t happen here”, it can and it is!
    What next should we all wear a yellow star?
    Get angry and do something before it’s too late

  • Just so its clear...

    “The State of Israel is the only Jewish nation in the modern period, and the region that now falls within its borders has a lengthy and rich history that dates from pre-biblical times. The area was a part of the Roman and, later, Byzantine empires before falling under the control of the fledgling Islamic caliphate in the 7th century CE”

    Britannica; “Israel”

  • CN

    Don’t you know the unwritten policy of the Anti-Defamation League is to suppress knowledge of anti-Semitism, not protest and prevent it. It’s up to us to protest and prevent it.