Stage Set for Arguments over Rubashkin Sentence

By Grant Schulte for the Des Moines Register
Artist drawing of Sholom Rubashkin taking the witness stand during his financial-fraud trial in federal court in Sioux Falls, S.D. November 5, 2009. By Mark Marturello for the Des Moines Register.

A fierce debate over Sholom Rubashkin’s prison sentence begins in federal court today with arguments over the former slaughterhouse manager’s role in a bank fraud scandal, his past, and a chorus of supporters who say the possible life sentence would be too harsh.

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Former Postville Mayor Tried to Extort Money From Rubashkin

By Grant Schulte for the Des Moines Register

A former Postville mayor may have accepted cash payments from former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Rubashkin while in office, or tried to extort money from the one-time eastern Iowa slaughterhouse chief, according to documents filed in federal court.

The conflicting accusations are buried in sentencing memos filed by prosecutors and defense lawyers in Rubashkin’s financial fraud case.

$53,000 from New South Wales for the Jewish House

Henry Benjamin for the Australian J-Wire
Rabbi Mendel Kastel, Jewish House founder Roger Clifford, Premier Kristina Keneally pic: Henry Benjamin

Australian politician and the Premier of New South Wales, Kristina Keneally presented Rabbi Mendel Kastel from the Jewish House with a check for $53,000 at the care organization’s inaugural business luncheon.

Legal Experts Question Justice of Rubashkin Sentencing Guidelines

By Sam Orez for Spero Forum

Several former U.S. attorneys general, a former deputy attorney general, more than half-a-dozen former U.S. attorneys and a former federal judge have authored and signed letters to the judge in the Sholom Rubashkin case, criticizing the prosecutors’ recommendation that Rubashkin receive life in prison for his bank fraud conviction under Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The authors of the letters include former U.S. attorneys general Janet Reno, Dick Thornburgh, Nicholas Katzenbach, and Edwin Meese III, as well as former deputy attorney general Larry D. Thompson, and former federal Judge Paul G. Cassell. The jurists represent the gamut of sentencing philosophies and includ officials nominated by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Law professor Alan Dershowitz also sent a letter asserting the same conclusion. At press time, more distinguished former U.S. attorneys are adding their names to the widening list of distiguished legal experts challenging the proposed life sentence.

Photos: 5770 LubaSfard Soccer Championships

This past Sunday in a Flatbush arena, considered by most the two best soccer teams in Brooklyn, met to decide a winner. Team Rostov with captain Oze Hasis opened up with Yehuda Lipkind scoring the first goal. Rostov, determined to hold on to their lead was up set when Yaccov Adi from the team of Yerushalayim, came right back with a goal of his own tying the game.

Sunday, Baltimore: Spectacular Lag BaOmer Concert and Fair

This Sunday Avraham Fried will perform at a concert and fair in honor of Lag BaOmer, a day of Jewish unity and pride. The event is scheduled to begin with the fair at 2:30pm and program at 4:00pm at the Yeshivat Rambam. Free admission.

Founder of Chicago Women’s Organization Passes Away

By Dovid Zaklikowski for Chabad.org
Chava Shusterman, who passed away April 18, was photographed with her granddaughters at a recent International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries.

Chava “Evelyn” Shusterman, a respected leader of the Chicago Jewish community who founded the city’s chapter of the Lubavitch Women’s Organization, passed away April 18 at the age of 89. For decades, the Chabad-Lubavitch emissary seamlessly combined her communal activities with her responsibilities raising a family, earning a reputation for showering her motherly love and wisdom on the countless individuals she encountered.

US Attorneys Concered over Rubashkin’s Letter Campaign

ABC News

As a federal judge in Iowa prepares to sentence the orthodox Jewish owner of what once was the nation’s largest kosher meatpacking plant, ABC News has learned the details of a quiet campaign to paint his fraud prosecution as “mean-spirited” and the recommended life sentence as “vindictive and excessive.”

Five former U.S. Attorneys General have written letters to the judge in defense of the plant owner, Sholom Rubashkin. Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr has penned an op-ed in the Des Moines Register deriding the proposed life sentence for a fraud that paled in scope to Bernie Madoff’s $65 billion, decades-long Ponzi scheme. And the Anti-Defamation League, among others, wrote to the Justice Department with alarm about “troubling” signs that prosecutors deemed Rubashkin a flight risk merely by virtue of the fact that he is Jewish, and thus could escape to Israel.

Ahavas Chesed Blood Drive

There will be a Ahavas Chesed Blood Drive today, Tuesday, April 27 at 3pm until 9pm. Refreshments will be served. ID is required to make the donation. The center is located at 271 Kingston Ave, between Lincoln Place and St Johns Place.

Girls Paint Bikur Cholim Community Mural

This past Sunday, over one hundred 7th grade girls were treated to a tile painting activity in honor of the 1st Annual Bikur Cholim Month (the painting session for boys will take place on May 16th). Each of the students were given a tile to design and paint with a Bikur Cholim related design of their choice. When completed, the tiles will be mounted as a Bikur Cholim Community Mural on Kingston Ave, permanently installed on a visible outside wall.

Brazen Daytime Robbery, While Family was Home!

The burglar, captured on surveillance, leaving the home.

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — A brazen burglar walked into a Crown Heights home this afternoon and made off with about 10 winter coats. The incident took place at around 12:15pm while there were people in the house.

BRES Goes on Their Graduation Trip

Beis Rivkah Elementary Schools 8th grade went on their graduation trip to Washington, DC on Tuesday, April 20th. The trip included a visit to the holocaust museum, Smithsonian institution, FDR Memorial, a glance at the white house, the senate, Washington monument, and the Lincoln memorial.