Roosevelt, NJ – A recent incident in which paintballs were shot at a local residence may lead to better dialogue between borough residents and members of the local yeshiva.
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Two teens were each charged with criminal mischief and harassment for shooting about 70 paintballs at a North Rochdale Avenue residence where students who attend the Homestead Lane yeshiva stay.
At a Borough Council’s meeting, Mayor Beth Battel read a statement regarding the incident. She called Roosevelt “a diverse community with a history and reputation for peaceful, respectful coexistence.”
Battel said the council deplores the recent incident at 53 N. Rochdale Ave., which Rabbi Yisroel Eisenberg, of Yeshiva Me’on Hatorah, is currently leasing from owner Paul Brottman for use by the yeshiva students.
“Vandalism is an act against property,” Battel said. “This went beyond vandalism to harassment and intimidation [and was] especially abhorrent because the victims were children.” Battel said “I hope you all join with me to pledge to protect freedom and safety of everyone in Roosevelt,” she added.
Battel said there is “a genuine disagreement” in town about how the yeshiva’s activities may conflict with the borough’s zoning laws. “The discourse and debate that surround that issue are a normal and important freedom protected by our democratic laws and heritage,” she said. “But there is never a place for prejudice or violence of any kind to enter into that discourse.”
Battel said a diversity/tolerance group is being formed in the borough to open lines of communication with people in town who have been offended.
Joshua Pruzansky, vice president of Yeshiva Me’on Hatorah, said he thought that having discussions is a great idea, as it is important for the yeshiva, the synagogue and the council to mend fences. Pruzansky said that discussing issues unrelated to land use could turn around the atmosphere in town.