A Yeshiva University student was attacked by six to eight masked assailants in a subway station in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, according to a faculty member at the university.
The student “was violently assaulted tonight by a gang of masked thugs” in the “blind spot of the subway station where there are no police or security cameras,” stated Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, clinical assistant professor of Jewish values at Yeshiva’s Sy Syms School of Business.
The attack occurred at the No. 1 train station on 181st Street, according to Bashevkin, who said that the student is recovering in the hospital.
“This is beyond frightening for a visibly Jewish community in New York City. Unacceptable,” the rabbi wrote. “Short of YU hiring a private security firm to police the entirety of Washington Heights, we need a safe New York City. Everywhere.”
He added that Yeshiva “is a visibly Jewish college campus. There needs to be a plan to ensure their safety.”
The victim, who went to public school, came to Yeshiva for its Jewish life, according to the rabbi.
JNS sought comment from the New York City Police Department and from the mayor’s office.
Yeshiva University sent an alert out to students on Thursday night stating that at around 7 p.m., “one of our students was assaulted in an unbiased attempted robbery off campus in the subway station at 181st Street.”
“He is back on campus in good condition,” the school said. “YU security is aware of the incident and is coordinating with law enforcement authorities.”
“All YU students, faculty and staff are reminded to exercise caution at all times,” it said. “Please remain alert to your surroundings. When you see something, say something.”
The Anti-Defamation League’s New York and New Jersey office stated that it is “aware of this reported incident” and is “connecting with law enforcement, community partners and Yeshiva University to learn more.”
“Our thoughts are with the victim and the Yeshiva community impacted,” it said.
