Two men, aged 25 and 18, are charged over attack that left rabbi in hospital in Essex
Rabbi Rafi Goodwin’s injuries were being assessed King George’s Hospital
Two men have been charged over a religiously-aggravated assault on a rabbi in Essex.
The suspects, from Ilford, east London, who are 18 and 25, had been under arrested for the attack on Rafi Goodwin in Chigwell.
Mr Goodwin was attacked with an unknown item following a verbal altercation in Limes Avenue, near his synagogue, shortly after 1.15pm on Sunday.
He required treatment at King George’s Hospital after he suffered cuts to his head and around one eye and his phone was stolen.
Police say they do not believe the incident is ‘related to events taking place overseas or incidents which have taken place elsewhere in the country’.
The suspects are due in court on Wednesday over charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, robbery and religiously aggravated criminal damage.
Rafi Goodwin had been attacked with an unknown item following a verbal altercation in Limes Avenue, near his Essex synagogue, shortly after 1.15pm on Sunday
Essex Police said on Monday: ‘Throughout today our officers have been engaging with local Jewish communities to provide reassurance and updates following on from the incident.
‘Community members and religious leaders, who are celebrating Shavuot, have been speaking to our officers in Chigwell and Southend this morning.’
Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper said: ‘We know this is a very important time – a time for communities to come together, to be around each other and celebrate. We do not want anyone to feel that they cannot do that safely.
‘Officers have spent the day speaking with the Jewish community to provide reassurance.
‘At this time we do not believe this incident is related to events taking place overseas or incidents which have taken place elsewhere in the country.’
Chief Superintendent Stuart Hooper said: ‘We know this is a very important time – a time for communities to come together, to be around each other and celebrate. We do not want anyone to feel that they cannot do that safely’ (pictured: Police at the synagogue)
Community leaders have offered their support to Rabbi Goodwin.
Moshe Freedman, rabbi of New West End Synagogue in central London, asked people to pray for his ‘dear friend and colleague’ following the attack.
And Rabbi Herschel Gluck said: ‘Whenever a person is attacked like this, it touches me deeply.
‘The person themselves, their families, their congregation and their friends are all affected by this.
‘Even though it is an individual, it has much broader and wider ramifications.’