Judge Nixes Jewish Community Service for Orthodox Men in Racial Beating Case

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By Cnaan Liphshiz August 17, 2016

– Two Orthodox Jews who beat up a gay black man in New York were sentenced to 150 hours of community service — and a judge rejected their proposal to work for a Jewish organization.

Pinchas Braver and Abraham Winkler, who admitted to participating in the December 2013 beating, were sentenced Tuesday in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn, the New York Daily News reported.

The victim, Taj Patterson of the borough’s Fort Greene section, was walking down Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg when he was set upon by his attackers, according to the newspaper. Patterson was left battered and lost eyesight in one eye, accordingto the Daily News.

Braver and Winkler each must pay Patterson $1,400 in restitution.

For their service, Braver and Winkler suggested participating in Chai Lifeline, an organization based in Borough Park that caters to Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses. The organization is located outside of Williamsburg but does not fit the criteria prosecutors suggested as “culturally diverse.”

Justice Danny Chun, who sentenced Braver and Winkler, informed the assailants they have 30 days to find another organization or let the Department of Probation place them in a program. They also received an extension to pay the restitution.

Besides Braver and Winkler, three other Jewish men were implicated in the incident. One goes on trial next week; two others had their cases dropped.

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