The man, not mentioned by name in the report posted after the jump, has been organizing Beit Shemesh residents to fight haredi extremism.
I refused to publish a story last week about this effort because it mentioned the names and phone numbers of the haredi rabbis who allegedly support violence against non-haredim and non-extremist haredim.
I also worried that the Jews fighting haredim, who have been named in other articles, would be targets for attack.
I'll publish a link to that article after the jump, as well as the name of the rabbi who allegedly ordered the hit…
U.S. immigrant beaten up in 'pogrom' by ultra-Orthodox gang By Daphna Berman, Haaretz Correspondent An American immigrant was attacked and beaten Sunday night in Beit Shemesh by a gang of ultra-Orthodox zealots, in what appears to be an escalation of tension between religious groups in the city.
T., who is himself ultra-Orthodox, was kicked, beaten and threatened with further violence in an attack that landed him in the hospital. T.'s car windows were also smashed. T., who asked to go unnamed, has been active in trying to stem the recent tide of Haredi violence in the city.
"A bunch of goons, maybe 20 or 30 guys, attacked me - it was like a pogrom," he told Haaretz. "They kicked me, beat me, and then just left me there. Luckily, I am a strong guy and was able to get up and go to the hospital."
In response, residents of Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, a Haredi stronghold in the city, held a protest Monday night. This was the first time ultra-Orthodox residents came out strongly against fringe elements from within their own community.
"My attackers thought they won, but there is a procession in my support," said T., who was born in New York. In recent months, Beit Shemesh residents have banded against what they call growing religious intimidation and coercion by some Haredi residents of the city.
This week, a family in one of the city's modern Orthodox neighborhoods received warnings and threats because a television in their living room faced a main thoroughfare that borders an ultra-Orthodox housing project. In October, five ultra-Orthodox men assaulted a woman and an Israel Defense Forces soldier for sitting next to each other on a bus bound for Beit Shemesh.
Signs along main streets call on people to dress modestly, meanwhile, and women say they no longer feel comfortable jogging along some roads.
T., who has since been released from the hospital, helped organize a recent protest against the violence. Sources say the attack on Sunday was a culmination of ongoing harassment.
Shalom Lerner, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh, told Haaretz that the incident marks new heights for Haredi violence in the city.
"It's sad that they are trying to terrorize the city," Lerner said. "Unfortunately, though, the Haredi violence isn't news anymore. The fact that there is a demonstration, however, that the silent majority is standing up and fighting back, is a major achievement. People are realizing that the time for action is now."
A spokesman for the Beit Shemesh police said the case is currently under investigation.
"We have a few leads," spokesman Shmulik Ben Rubi said.
And now the post I should have done last week. Dovbear has it all.
He also has the name of the haredi rabbi who ordered the attack on "T":
…Harry Maryles and others are reporting that this cowardly attack was organized by one Avraham Yitzchak Mermelstein.I've verified this independently. You can reach this man at 845-781-8025. Tell him DovBear says hello, and that we're all sick to our stomach.…
And DovBear has an extensive Call to Action with names and contact information for those of you who want to try to make a difference.
In my opinion, there is only one way to successfully stop this haredi thuggery and violence. Follow the money. When you find its source, cut it off.