Daughter of Monsey Hanukkah victim has not given up holiday traditions

Nicky Kohen stated that regardless of her father being fatally stabbed at a Hanukkah get together, her household continues to have fun the Jewish vacation.
AP

Nicky Kohen has each motive to hate Hanukkah.

Her father, Josef Neumann, was slain by a madman throughout the Competition of Lights three years in the past in upstate Monsey — fatally stabbed throughout a vacation get together.

However within the years since, the births of her son and a nephew have helped Kohen and her household discover “mild in all of the darkness.”

“As Jews, we don’t give that up simply because one thing unhealthy occurred,” Kohen, 31, advised The Publish, at instances choking up. “There’s household celebrations. We mild the menorah with our kids daily.” 

“We get collectively, we have fun each Hanukkah and his life,” the mom of three added.

The festivities carry “nice reminders of unhappiness” she acknowledged, since Neumann, 72, “beloved making ready for the vacations,” she recalled.

Josef Neumann, 72, died after he was significantly injured by a machete wielding madman who had written anti-Semitic rants in his journals.

The retired fish retailer proprietor was attending a celebration on the residence of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg on Dec. 28, 2019, when demise walked within the door.

The attendees had simply lit the menorah when Grafton Thomas, 40, allegedly burst in with an 18-inch machete and wounded 5 attendees, together with Neumann. The daddy of seven fell right into a coma from his important accidents and died three months later. 

Thomas was arrested and pleaded not responsible to homicide and hate crime expenses — however has been discovered unfit to face trial. Neumann was the one sufferer to die from the assault.

Grafton Thomas, 40, is dealing with homicide and tried homicide expenses for allegedly stabbing 5 celebrants at a Hanukkah get together in Monsey.

AP

In line with federal prosecutors, Thomas had beforehand scribbled anti-Semitic rants in his journal, and had not too long ago searched on-line for “Zionist Temples” earlier than finishing up his assault.

Surging anti-Semitism within the years since Neumann’s demise has left his daughter deeply disturbed.

“My father’s mother and father have been survivors of the Holocaust. Rising up, I assumed it might by no means occur once more,” she stated. “These days, I’m not sure.” 

Neumann’s daughter has been shaken by the truth that anti-Semitism in the USA has solely surged since her father’s demise.

AP

An Anti-Defamation League report in April discovered anti-Semitic incidents within the U.S. reached an all-time excessive in 2021, with New York main the nation at 416 circumstances. Simply final month, police thwarted a plot to gun down Massive Apple synagogues.  

“I undoubtedly see some political leaders talking very ignorantly, and public figures, which clearly influences individuals,” Kohen added, citing Ye, the artist previously generally known as Kanye West, who has spewed vile reward for Adolf Hitler and promised to go “demise con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.”

Thomas’ lawyer, Michael Sussman, denied his shopper was anti-Semitic, arguing the accused attacker was mentally unwell and had been off his meds.

Thomas was identified with schizophrenia and is at present being held on the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Heart in New Hampton, NY, in response to federal prosecutors. 

“Even when he doesn’t go to jail, I imagine he’ll by no means get out of this psychological establishment,” Kohen stated. “I do really feel safer that at the very least he's unable to do that to anyone else, Jewish or not.”