Two men charged after Yorkshire rabbi was attacked outside synagogue Yorkshire News

Rabbi Rafi Goodwin, 31, was rushed to hospital after he was hit on the head with an object in front of the Chigwell and Hainault Synagogue in Chigwell on Sunday, May 16.

Essex police said he was assaulted and his phone was stolen after two men came out in front of his car and yelled at him.

Abderrahman Brahimi, 25, and Souraka Djabouri, 18, both of Tudor Crescent in Ilford, were arrested shortly after the assault.

They are due to appear in Colchester Magistrates Court today, charged with wounding with intent to cause serious bodily harm, theft, and religiously aggravated criminal damage.

The rabbi, who grew up in Leeds and attended Leeds Primary School, was released from the hospital and is now recovering at home.

Lindsay Shure, president of the Chigwell and Hainault United Synagogue, said: “All of us at the synagogue are so touched by the support we have received from the local community, particularly at the Limes Farm where the attack took place.

“We have received an enormous amount of goodwill messages via Facebook, email, letter and in person and flowers have been left outside the synagogue for the Goodwins. In addition, a food basket is being donated to them, along with cards. wishing you well.

“We have also been contacted by many local religious leaders of all faiths, all saying how upset they were by this terrible incident and offering their support.

“The community would like to thank the police who helped us a lot during the Shavuot festival.”

Speaking in Parliament, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said he was “shocked” by the recent increase in anti-Semitic abuses in the UK.

He said: “We stand behind our Jewish friends and neighbors, who have sadly been subjected to a deeply disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in recent years, particularly on social media. Like all forms of racism, anti-Semitism has no place in our society. “

He added: “British Jews are not responsible for the actions of a government thousands of miles away, but they are made to feel as if they are.”