Postville, IA – The former Postville meat plant executive was granted special permission this morning to leave Iowa for a two-day religious trip to New York.
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Sholom Rubashkin will leave his home this afternoon and drive through the night to observe the 15-year anniversary of the death of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a noted holy figure.
U.S. District Judge Linda Reade accepted the unusual request despite a court order that Rubsahkin remain in Allamakee County pending his trial on immigration, fraud and money laundering charges.
Prosecutors did not object to the trip as long as Rubashkin stays under GPS monitoring, according to federal court records. The U.S. attorney’s office had opposed Rubashkin’s request several months ago to be released from jail, amid concerns that the 49-year-old might try to flee to Israel.
Rubashkin is a prominent member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Orthodox Judaism. His attorney, Guy Cook, said the annual event in Cambria Heights, N.Y. is of “exceptional religious significance for those of the Lubavitcher faith.”
The holy pilgrimage to Schneerson’s grave site is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors, Cook said. The Hasidic movement believes that part of his soul remains above his body at the grave site.
Rubashkin is scheduled to leave Postville with a friend this afternoon at 1 p.m. He is expected to arrive at the grave site around 8 a.m. on Thursday, at which time he will call his probation officer.
He will spend most of the day in New York, and then depart for Postville around 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Wow, lets see the kochos from the Rebbe zatzal!
Whether this is legitimate request by SM or just a tactical stunt suggested by his lawyers, , the judge showed good judgement in making a one time exception to the limits on his travel.
This gesture of good will on behalf of the Judge hopefuly signals a sign that the so called mountain of overwhelming evidance… Against him is starting to crumble…
Let’s hope he will be set free either on parole or community service.
i hope in the zechus of daavenen at the rebbe’s kever that everything turns out revealed good for r’ shalom mordechai
boruch hashem
may SMR tefilois be mekabel at the tzion and may all our tefilois be mekabel with the comming of moshiach
yehi ratzon that we be zoche to seeyeshuos benigleh …..the rebbes love for every yid & a shliach in particular….
Why couldn’t he fly?
The story doesnt mention the “other” reason for the chabad holiday, the commuting of the previous Rebbes prison sentence before he was released 2 weeks later
The ICE is melting.
“those of the Lubavitcher faith.” Hmmmm… they are of a separate faith?
The court’s motives for allowing this are inconsequential as it is ultimately HaShem’s loving kindness that enables Rubashkin to make the trip and for that be grateful.
number 14
why dont u go first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!