Hatzolah Members Attacked Responding to Prank Call at Yeshiva
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:01:55 -0800 (PST)
Dear Hatzolah member,
An extremely disturbing incident occurred at the
Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic early Friday morning
February 25, 2005.
A telephone call was made at approximately 2:30 a.m.
to the Passaic Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Service.
A male caller reported that an individual residing in
the Yeshiva Gedolah building at 35 Ascension Street in
Passaic was having severe chest pains
Despite the difficult driving conditions caused by the
heavy snowstorm, the Hatzolah ambulance and volunteers
arrived at the Yeshiva Gedolah within three minutes.
Upon exiting their vehicles, the three Hatzolah
volunteers were accosted by approximately 30 students
of the Yeshiva Gedolah. The yeshiva bochorim pelted
the Hatzolah volunteers with snow, ice and eggs, and
repeatedly cursed them, using language you might
expect to hear in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium, not
from a Bais Medrash. Furthermore, there was no one at
35 Ascension Street having ''severe chest pains'' or any
other medical emergency.
In addition to the numerous halachos violated by the
group of bochorim who perpetrated this heinous act,
they also committed a violation of civil law (placing
a false emergency report) and as such, are subject to
civil penalties.
Hatzolah has in the past received many prank calls,
often late at night, with the caller ID showing the
number of the pay phone at the Yeshiva Gedolah.
Bochurim at the Yeshiva Gedolah and several of its
neighbors have confirmed that the yeshiva bochurim
often get drunk and boisterous late at night.
To our neighbors and friends: Before you simply
dismiss this incident as a ''prank'' or a pre-Purim
''joke'', please ask yourself the following:
If, chas v'shalom, my six month old child was choking
on food, or my elderly parent was visiting me and
collapsed on the floor, or an expectant mother in our
community required immediate assistance, and the
Hatzolah ambulance was responding to a false report
and thus was late in responding to my call, how would
I feel?
At the time of writing, we are disappointed to report
that the Hanhala (staff) of the Yeshiva Gedolah of
Passaic has not responded to several requests for a
meeting to discuss this serious matter. These requests
were made by both community leaders and rabbis.
Perhaps if the Hanhala realized the concern of a large
number of community members over this matter they
might be more willing to discipline those bochorim
responsible for the crime. As such we urge you to
contact the following members of the Hanhala of the
Yeshiva Gedolah at once:
Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic office: 973-472-6100
Rabbi Meir Stern, Rosh Yeshiva: 973-778-0563
Rabbi Nosson Weissman, Mashgiach: 973-778-8665
Rabbi Moshe Halberstadt, Menahal: 973-471-4515
This incident was discussed at length by Rabbi Shloma
Isaacson of Bais Dovid this past Friday evening
between Kabbalas Shobbos and Ma'ariv. It was also
confirmed by a resident of 35 Ascension Street, who
asked not to be publicly identified at this time. This
incident can also be verified by speaking to any
member of Passaic Hatzolah.
We believe saving lives is no a joke. We hope you
agree.
FRIENDS OF PASSAIC HATZOLAH
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:01:55 -0800 (PST)
Dear Hatzolah member,
An extremely disturbing incident occurred at the
Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic early Friday morning
February 25, 2005.
A telephone call was made at approximately 2:30 a.m.
to the Passaic Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance Service.
A male caller reported that an individual residing in
the Yeshiva Gedolah building at 35 Ascension Street in
Passaic was having severe chest pains
Despite the difficult driving conditions caused by the
heavy snowstorm, the Hatzolah ambulance and volunteers
arrived at the Yeshiva Gedolah within three minutes.
Upon exiting their vehicles, the three Hatzolah
volunteers were accosted by approximately 30 students
of the Yeshiva Gedolah. The yeshiva bochorim pelted
the Hatzolah volunteers with snow, ice and eggs, and
repeatedly cursed them, using language you might
expect to hear in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium, not
from a Bais Medrash. Furthermore, there was no one at
35 Ascension Street having ''severe chest pains'' or any
other medical emergency.
In addition to the numerous halachos violated by the
group of bochorim who perpetrated this heinous act,
they also committed a violation of civil law (placing
a false emergency report) and as such, are subject to
civil penalties.
Hatzolah has in the past received many prank calls,
often late at night, with the caller ID showing the
number of the pay phone at the Yeshiva Gedolah.
Bochurim at the Yeshiva Gedolah and several of its
neighbors have confirmed that the yeshiva bochurim
often get drunk and boisterous late at night.
To our neighbors and friends: Before you simply
dismiss this incident as a ''prank'' or a pre-Purim
''joke'', please ask yourself the following:
If, chas v'shalom, my six month old child was choking
on food, or my elderly parent was visiting me and
collapsed on the floor, or an expectant mother in our
community required immediate assistance, and the
Hatzolah ambulance was responding to a false report
and thus was late in responding to my call, how would
I feel?
At the time of writing, we are disappointed to report
that the Hanhala (staff) of the Yeshiva Gedolah of
Passaic has not responded to several requests for a
meeting to discuss this serious matter. These requests
were made by both community leaders and rabbis.
Perhaps if the Hanhala realized the concern of a large
number of community members over this matter they
might be more willing to discipline those bochorim
responsible for the crime. As such we urge you to
contact the following members of the Hanhala of the
Yeshiva Gedolah at once:
Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic office: 973-472-6100
Rabbi Meir Stern, Rosh Yeshiva: 973-778-0563
Rabbi Nosson Weissman, Mashgiach: 973-778-8665
Rabbi Moshe Halberstadt, Menahal: 973-471-4515
This incident was discussed at length by Rabbi Shloma
Isaacson of Bais Dovid this past Friday evening
between Kabbalas Shobbos and Ma'ariv. It was also
confirmed by a resident of 35 Ascension Street, who
asked not to be publicly identified at this time. This
incident can also be verified by speaking to any
member of Passaic Hatzolah.
We believe saving lives is no a joke. We hope you
agree.
FRIENDS OF PASSAIC HATZOLAH